FOOD
GET YOUR
VEGGIE FIX
Deep Rooted CSA grows tomatoes and so much more. BY LEAH CALL | CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Tiffany Cade, owner of Deep Rooted, brings the bright colors and flavors of her Westby-area farm to markets around the region. Photo by Drew Shonka Photography.
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eggies reign supreme when it comes to preparing nutritious and delicious summer meals. If you don’t have the space or time to grow your own, you’re in luck. Numerous community supported agriculture (CSA) farms and farmers markets in the Coulee Region provide an abundant source of locally grown ready-to-eat vegetables for your enjoyment. Deep Rooted near Westby is a source for both the seedlings to start your own garden and a variety of organically grown produce sold at farmer’s markets and through its farm share program. Tomatoes are the star among the bounty of delicious vegetables grown and sold through this CSA. In fact, Deep Rooted grows 30,000 pounds of tomatoes annually. “We specialize in organic tomatoes,” says Deep Rooted owner Tiffany Cade. “We have three greenhouses where we grow over 40 varieties of certified organic tomatoes.” Deep Rooted starts its tomatoes in January. By late May, the crew harvests and delivers early varieties to grocery stores and restaurants. They also sell tomatoes and other produce at the Viroqua farmers market and the Cameron Park market in La Crosse and through their farm share program. Cade’s favorite tomatoes are the Pink Berkeley Tie Dye, Sun Gold and Green Tiger varieties. WHAT’S IN THE BOX? Deep Rooted’s farm share program functions like a typical CSA membership with a twist. Members get fresh, locally grown produce throughout the season while also supporting their local farmer. While Deep Rooted members get a weekly veggie fix, they control their purchasing options. “Instead of us deciding what goes into the box … members can
spend that money on anything Deep Rooted,” Cade explains. “If they run out of money, they can add more money to their credit.” Farm share members can pick up their selected produce at the farm or at a nearby delivery point. They can even use their farm share credit to purchase produce from Deep Rooted at the Viroqua or Cameron Park farmer’s markets—no need to carry cash. Wondering what to do with fresh kohlrabi, kale or garlic scapes? Members receive a weekly newsletter indicating the products that are available along with some details on those lesser-known varieties. “We give a bit of history, storing and handling tips, and we also include recipes,” says Cade. They even offer tips for those adventurous gardeners interested in planting something new. “That is one thing nice about our farm. We start everything from seed. We’ve done the research on different varieties,” adds Cade. “We know the varieties that do well in this area.” VEGGIES AND MORE The spring garden center at Deep Rooted sells annual bedding plants, perennials, native plants and certified organic vegetable and herb seedlings, which are sold on-farm and at area food co-ops. Additionally, Deep Rooted grows microgreens year-round that are sold at Festival Foods and area food co-ops. “We have a lot of moving parts on the farm—each season we add something new,” says Cade. One of the farm’s newest offerings is a cut flower subscription. Similar to the produce farm share, the cut flower subscription offers subscription options for fresh cut flowers, beginning with a four-week spring share, which starts in April. Other options include five- and tenweek summer subscriptions and an “all season share” for gorgeous cut flowers from June through October. www.crwmagazine.com JUNE/JULY 2021 25
