Ground support

If you haven’t already signed up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription, many local farmers are asking that you do so quickly so they can plan the season accordingly. Options now extend beyond fruit and veggies. Sustainably grown meat, eggs, flowers, and even milk are also on the weekly menu through some farms. Here is a rundown of some of the CSAs available to Reno-Sparks residents. Prices below are based on full shares, though most CSAs offer half shares at lower cost and work shares.

• Rise & Shine Farms. Debuting this year, this CSA offers pesticide-free produce with options for eggs and poultry shares. Among its shares are a six-week spring share, beginning May 18 for $150 and a 16-week summer share beginning June 29 for $400. The Fallon-based farm delivers to Reno-Sparks homes and offices and are accepting 100 subscriptions, preferably by March 1. Call (775) 867-5873, or visit www.riseandshinefarms.com.

• Grow for Me. Also new this year is the “Personal Farmer” program from Grow for Me Sustainable Farm. Though not technically a CSA, it offers 15 families year-round, custom-grown, ethical eating that includes produce, grass-fed beef, chicken, lamb and pork, eggs and milk. Subscriptions are $2,500 if paid in full or $3,000 paid over six months (around $48-$57 per week). Participants pick up the bounty at the farm, roughly 20 minutes north of Reno. Sign up by March 30 or earlier. (775) 677-0636. Learn about the many details at www.girlfarm.org.

• Nanadew Herb Farm. This Fallon-based farm offers a new, cooperative CSA. A basic veggie, fruit and herb share is $25 per week. An extra $15 per week gets you free-range, natural meat. An “artisan” share of things like bread, honey, cheese, preserves and goat milk soap is $10 per week, as are flowers. Weekly egg shares are $5. Call (775) 867-3087, http://nanadewherbfarmcsa.com.

• Chickie Baby Blooms. Vegetables, cut flowers and natural beef subscriptions begin March 1 and go through November. A subscription is $25 a week without meat and $50 a week with meat. The farm is based in Fallon, though there are Reno pick-up points. Contact (775) 423-9585.

• Churchill Butte Organics. This year-round CSA comes from an off-grid, solar-powered farm in Stagecoach. Farmers Steve and Marcia Litsinger personally deliver to subscribers, including those in Reno. A subscription of organic produce is $25 a week. There’s a waiting list. Call (775) 721-6068.

• Custom Gardens. This certified organic farm in Silver Springs offers a 12-week summer CSA. Pick up at their farm in Silver Springs for a lower rate of $346, or pick up in Sparks for $439. Baskets include vegetables, fruits, cut flowers and occasional treats like preserves. Farmers Ray and Virginia Johnson hope to fill their 30 subscription slots no later than April. Call (775) 577-2069. www.customgardens-organic-farm.com.

• Great Basin Basket. Offering spring, summer and autumn shares for about 400 subscribers, beginning April 28. Prices range from a spring share for $280 for 10 weeks to $985 for all three seasons (31 weeks). Produce comes from over a dozen local farms, with Lattin Farms being the largest producer. Local pick-up sites abound. Order by March 31. Call (775) 351-2551. Download a registration form at http://greatbasinbasket.com.