The Root Connection CSA Farm near Redmond has been named King County’s 2012 Rural Small Business of the Year.

Farmer Claire Thomas, founder and operating manager of the Root Connection, and Jeff Schmidt, farm foreman, received the award from King County Executive Dow Constantine at an award ceremony on Oct. 10.

The farm, located at 13607 Woodinville-Redmond Road Northeast, is the Northwest’s first CSA farm. It has been offering its 400 member families fresh, chemical-free produce since 1987. Thomas has also been a driving force behind Farms For Life, an innovative nonprofit that buys produce from local farmers and donates it to people in need.

Thomas was praised for her pioneering spirit and work to preserve farming as an integral part of our landscape and economy, both now and in the future.

The Root Connection Farm is currently taking registrations for next season. For more information, visit www.rootconnection.com.