The South 47 Farm, at the corner of Northeast 124th Street and Woodinville-Redmond Road, is ready for visitors, as it hosts plant start sales and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) tours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9. The farm officially opens for the season at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, with a Welcome Back celebration May 16-17, but these preview events offer chances to stock up on herb and vegetable starts for your own garden and opportunities to purchase new Free Choice CSA cards.
As always, the South 47’s U-pick fields and farm stand will be open to the general public through Oct. 31, but CSA members share the costs and benefits of growing fresh, seasonal produce at the farm.
The 2009 membership fee is $480 which amounts to $20 per week during the 24-week season.
Flexible “Farm Bucks” can be used to pay for any produce throughout the season or for special events or classes. The Free Choice CSA card is similar to an electronic debit card and if you don’t spend all your Farm Bucks in 2009, they will roll over to 2010.
Members also receive more than $60 worth of additional benefits which must be redeemed in 2009. These include a South 47 reusable grocery bag, a certificate for four Corn Maze admissions or four Farm Tot/Farm Kid classes, coupons for two free U-cut flower bouquets and four free hayride passes for any Farm Celebration weekend.
Plant starts available on May 2 and May 9 will include: broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, sorrel, lettuce, peas, pumpkin, green bean, spinach, summer and winter squash, sweet corn, swiss chard, tomato, Walla Walla onion, anise hyssop, basil, chive, cilantro, curly parsley, Italian parsley and marjoram.
The South 47 is also booking spring farm tours for children of preschool age through second grade. This can include daycare, homeschool or Scout groups within that age range. Reservations are required and cost is $105 for the first 15 children or $7 for each additional child. Supervising adults are admitted free.
For information about group tours, call (425) 753-0756 or e-mail south47farmtours@yahoo.com.
For other information about the South 47 Farm, call (425) 869-9777 or visit www.south47farm.com.
