Local farms bring Crops to Campus for employee, student subscriptions

LAWRENCE — Through a partnership with Common Harvest CSA, the University of Kansas will launch Crops to Campus, a program to bring a local produce subscription service to campus in spring 2015. Faculty, staff and students are invited to sign up for a Crops to Campus subscription online starting today, Feb. 17.

CSAs, or community-supported agriculture programs, provide weekly produce deliveries for individuals and families who in turn support the farms growing the produce through the purchase of a share, or subscription. The Common Harvest CSA program is made up of four certified organic farms from within Douglas County: Moon on the Meadow, Buller Family Farm, The Red Tractor Farm and Juniper Hill Farms.

Last year, Common Harvest CSA provided 150 CSA shares for individuals and families in and around Douglas County. These farms will pool their harvest each week to provide KU subscribers and returning community customers with a variety of seasonal items. Crops to Campus can accommodate up to 250 KU subscribers in its first year.

Crops to Campus shares will include 7-8 items, including vegetables, fruits and sometimes eggs, for a subscription price of $18 per week. The 2015 subscription season will run from the third week of May until the last week of October. Partial shares will also be available containing 4-5 item for $13 a week. “Back to School” shares will also be offered for faculty or students who will leave Lawrence for the summer. These subscriptions will be offered during September and October 2015.

A Meet the Farmers signup event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 11 in the Traditions Area on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union. This event will give the campus community an opportunity to learn about the participating Common Harvest CSA farms and signup in person for one of two campus pickup locations.

Subscribers will have the choice of picking up their share in the stadium parking lot north of campus between 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays or near Lot 90 south of campus between 4-6 p.m. Fridays. In order to ensure their choice of site, subscribers are encouraged to sign up by March 25.

Crops to Campus is a collaboration among the KU Faculty/Staff Wellness Committee, Watkins Health Services, KU Athletics, KU Dining Services, KU Endowment, Recreation Services and the KU Center for Sustainability, in partnership with Common Harvest CSA.

For more information about Crops to Campus, please visit www.wellness.ku.edu/csa or contact the Center for Sustainability at sustainability@ku.edu or 785-864-5398.