Photo Credit: Freedom Acres Farm
Contributor: Jamie Richardson
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in locally sourced produce and sustainable farming practices. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have emerged as a popular way for individuals and families to connect with local farms, enjoy fresh seasonal produce, and support sustainable agricultural practices.
Alongside CSAs, various farm events provide opportunities for people to engage with local farmers while enjoying local fare and the vibrant community atmosphere. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the local CSA programs and farm events in and around Cabarrus County.
Savor Sustainability with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs
At its core, a CSA is a partnership between consumers and farmers. Participants typically pay upfront for a share of the farm’s produce, which is then delivered to them regularly throughout the growing season. This model not only provides individuals with a direct source of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables but also supports local farmers by offering them a stable income and a sense of community.
Among the notable CSA programs in Cabarrus County are Street Fare Farm, Barbee Farms, and The Farm @ Dover Vineyards. By participating in their CSA programs, members not only gain access to high-quality, sustainably grown food but also contribute to the vitality of their local food system.
Street Fare Farm
Website | Facebook
6601 US Hwy 601 S., Concord, NC 28025
Street Fare Farm offers a variety of seasonal produce, pastured eggs, microgreens, and gourmet mushrooms. They provide two 12-week sessions: Spring Share (May-July) and Fall Share (September-November), or the option to purchase a full season.
- Share sizes: Full Share (weekly) or Half Share (every other week).
- Pickup locations: Mount Pleasant, Concord, and at the farm.
- Examples of seasonal boxes: Spring Box (e.g., lettuce, arugula, radishes, broccoli, snap peas) and Fall Box (e.g., kale, turnips, fennel, Brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms).
Barbee Farms
Website | Facebook
1000 Shelton Road NW, Concord, NC 28027
Barbee Farms offers three 12-week CSA sessions throughout the year, providing Full and Half Share options with predetermined items.
- Pickup: Thursdays at the farm during farm stand hours.
The Farm at Dover Vineyards
Website | Facebook | Instagram
3600 Concord Parkway S., Concord. NC 28027
The Farm at Dover Vineyards grows organic fruits and vegetables and offers a variety of CSA box options, including a Traditional CSA, Summer CSA, and Totally Devoted to Local CSA.
- Pickup: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Farm Stand on Hwy 29.
- Seasonal offerings: Spring (e.g., heirloom lettuce, strawberries, carrots), Summer (e.g., tomatoes, squash, cucumbers), and Fall (e.g., kale, sweet potatoes, apples).
Other Farms Offering Fresh Meats, Vegetables, Honey, Flowers, and More!
Green Leaf Farms
Website | Facebook | Instagram
1639 Saint Johns Church Rd, Concord, NC 28025
Green Leaf Farms specializes in grass-fed beef, non-GMO eggs, and pastured poultry. They also offer their products at Union Street Market in downtown Concord.
Visitors are welcome to the farm with prior notice.
Freedom Acres Farm
Website | Facebook
7690 Reed Mine Rd, Midland, NC 28107
U-pick flowers, pesticide-free vegetables, including various heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, assorted squash, sweet corn, and more. As well as cage-free non-GMO fed eggs, artisan-style jams, jellies, pickles, sauces and more using NC-sourced produce.
Roberts’ Big Oak Farm
Website | Facebook
1551 Cal Bost Rd, Midland, NC 28107
Black Angus beef, farm-fresh brown eggs, local honey.
If you’re interested in more information, call 704-788-9045 or come by for a visit.
Barrier Farms
Website | Facebook
4880 Barrier Store Road, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124
Barrier Farms includes pasture-raised beef, pork, chicken, eggs, an old-fashioned self-serve grain mill, straw, and hay bales, and a firewood/logging service. The farm store also sells locally roasted coffee, jams and jellies, honey, elderberry syrup, raw pet milk, beef jerky, soap, maple syrup, and more!
Farm Box Club is a monthly box that can be delivered or picked up full of Barrier Farms meat similar to a CSA and comes in three different sizes.
Engaging Farm Events
In addition to CSA programs, local farms often host events that invite the community to explore their grounds, enjoy farm-fresh cuisine, and engage in agricultural activities.
These events serve as opportunities for families, friends, and neighbors to come together, learn about sustainable farming practices, and appreciate the beauty of the land.
- Green Garlic Festival, May 10-12, 2024
Activities: Live music, farm-to-table dinners, wine tastings, garlic braiding activity.
- Spring Vendor Fair, May 11, 2024
Activities: Over 40 unique vendor booths featuring local crafters, artisans, and makers.
- Spring Fest on the Farm, April 20, 2024
Activities: Local vendors, live music, food trucks, bounce house. - Bright Fire Music and Arts Festival, April 26-27, 2024
An arts festival featuring music, arts, and local talent.
- Corks for a Cause, May 2, 2024
Activities: Wine tasting, farm-to-table delights, charity event benefiting The Open Door House.
- Fall Festival
2024 information coming soon.
Learning and Growing with Local Educational Classes
Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension
Website | Facebook
715 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord, NC 28027
Beyond farm events, the Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension (CCCE) offers a range of educational classes focused on gardening, food preservation, and sustainable living.
From basketry workshops to sessions on home canning and food preservation, these classes provide valuable skills and knowledge to individuals interested in cultivating their own produce or preserving the harvest for year-round enjoyment.
Classes are suitable for all ages and abilities and provide hands-on learning experiences.
Visit the CCCE website to view classes and times and to register or contact Pamela Outen at pamela_outen@ncsu.edu or 704-920-3310.
Local CSA programs and farm events offer unique opportunities for individuals and families to engage with local agriculture, enjoy fresh, seasonal produce, and immerse themselves in the vibrant community atmosphere. By participating in CSAs and attending farm events, individuals not only support local farmers but also foster a deeper connection to the food they eat and the land it comes from.
Whether it’s picking up a weekly share of farm-fresh vegetables or attending a lively farm festival, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate in the local farming community of Concord, North Carolina.
Planning to visit? Tell ’em Cabarrus Weekly sent ya!
