The UT Organic Farm Internship and VOL Supported Agriculture (VSA) programs are offering a 20-week community-supported agriculture program beginning in mid-May and running through October.
Members will receive half a bushel of fresh, organic locally grown vegetables each week at UT Gardens. The produce is grown at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center’s Organic Crops Unit in South Knoxville. The program is run by students from the Department of Plant Sciences and teaches agriculture skills related to business, marketing, crop planning, and customer relations.
One share provides two to four people a weekly supply of vegetables. Members will receive six to 12 items each week that may include kale, beets, onions, Swiss chard, sweet peas, salad mixes, collard greens, broccoli, herbs, garlic, and cabbage. As the season progresses, more variety is available and items may include tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, eggplant, melons, peppers, and flowers.
The 20-week program is $600 or four payments of $155, with a payment due at sign-up and on April 1, May 1, and June 1. Memberships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is available online.
Support of VSA contributes directly to student intern wages and is an investment in our students. Interns take classes in the spring related to organic production and are involved in all parts of the farm including marketing, variety selection, seed starting, field maintenance, pest control, harvesting, packaging, and delivery of shares.
Follow UT Farmer’s Market–Vol Supported Agriculture on Facebook and Instagram.
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CONTACT:
Samantha Flower (vsa@utk.edu)