A beautiful setting in New City, Cropsey Community Farm was bursting with color and community on Wednesday.
It was pick-up day, and approximately 90 families received their share of produce that included, string beans, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, squash and onions.
Cropsey is under the umbrella of the Rockland Farm Alliance. In 2007, the non-profit RFA took shape under the leadership of John McDowell who ran the county's first CSA, Camp Hill farm in Pomona, over the past few years. The mission of the RFA, as stated on their website is:
"To facilitate local sustainable agriculture in Rockland County by creating farms that serve as models of small-scale agriculture with educational facilities dedicated to the development and teaching of sustainable farming practices to people of all ages."
Members of Cropsey Community Farm purchase a share before any seeds are sown and take an active role in farm operations, contributing as field workers, putting up fences, weeding, and office work, whatever is necessary to sustain a CSA.
The Cropseys, who still live on the property where Cropsey Farm is located, sold their acreage to the Town of Clarkstown in 2006 through the County’s Open Space Program. The Alliance, under a licensing agreement with Rockland County and the town, launched Cropsey Farm on five of the 25 acres.
To find out more about becoming a member of the farm, contact The Rockland Farm Alliance http://rocklandfarm.org/.
