TOPSFIELD — Mike Raymond started farming in his mom's back yard as a Beverly High School senior, and the 37-year-old and his plants have returned to their roots.
A 15-year veteran of organic farming, Raymond is launching First Light Farm, a community-supported agriculture program that will distribute fresh produce throughout the summer to families that buy shares. The $600 cost of a share should feed two to four people, with 10 to 30 pounds of produce provided a week. Raymond is partnering with New Meadows Market in Topsfield, which will distribute the produce. Raymond is growing in tiny greenhouses in four communities and fields in two communities, all so he can farm for people he meets through the new business.
Why use community-supported agriculture?
"Your startup costs are addressed by the people putting money up front. They're investing in the season with you. To know where it's going, it personalizes it, allows the person to get what they want."
Do you get to meet your customers?
"It's gratifying, knowing where it's going. I don't want to give them a junk piece of lettuce. You want to give them a healthy thing. You want to make them happy. It's not a wide-open farmers' market. It has more accountability and inspiration."
How predictable is the weekly supply?
"One day in June can equal a week in September. It's a logistical game of doing this. You want to mix it up between the greens and the roots and the fruits, the peppers. The more energy and care you put into it, the more you're going to get out of this."
What are you growing?
A brochure lists arugula radish, beets, spinach, scallions, peas, garlic, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, basil, zucchini, cauliflower and other plants. "It's over 25 different species."
How fresh will it be?
"The greens are usually picked the morning of distribution. You can grow a garden variety of tomato. It's not a shipping variety. It's a fresh-eating variety."
When do you stop planting?
"We'll seed in August, maybe September. That'll be radishes, turnips, Asian greens like mesclun and lettuce."
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For information on First Light Farm, visit the Web page at NewMeadowsMarket.ValleyViewCheese.com or call Raymond at (781) 710-6749. Information on community-supported agriculture is available online at www.LocalHarvest.com.
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