In Minot, a bag of locally sourced foods is doing more than feeding families — it’s fueling a movement. Residents of the Magic City have lots of opportunities to shop local this time of year to include the Minot and North Prairie Farmers Markets, Angelic Gardens, and Mema’s Meats in Berthold. Newer as of 2023 is the Minot Multi-Farm CSA.
Those familiar with the local food movement have probably heard of Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs, which is an arrangement where the consumer pays up front for a share of a farmer’s bounty. In the case of Minot Multi-Farm CSA customers can select from several subscription options. These include vegetables, dessert, meat, preserved goods, grains, beverages, eggs, and even flower bundles. In the words of the CSA’s founder Desiree Carlson of Esther’s Acres, “it’s a whole-diet approach that celebrates the diversity of our local food system.”
Desiree shared that while her ancestors had been farming since 1900 and her own family started farming in 2020, the idea for the CSA began at the end of the 2023 farmer’s market season. “Many producers still had goods available—whether they were cold storage crops, value-added items, or year-round offerings (eggs, meats, milk, etc.). We had already tested the waters with our own small summer CSA, where we had collaborated with one other farmer, and that experience laid the groundwork. After some reflection and a few conversations with fellow farmers, we pulled together a group of ten producers and launched our first Fall CSA together.”
Since then, they have gone on to complete two Fall and Holiday/Winter seasons as well as one Spring and one previous Summer season. Originally starting out as an “all-in-one” CSA bundle, they have since split this up to include multiple options that can accommodate a variety of diets and budgets. Desiree noted that this arrangement has not been without its own set of challenges, which have included educating participants on what the CSA model is, so that the group is not relying on inconsistent contributors, coordinating payment and deliveries across multiple farms and businesses, and ensuring the bundles generally remain balanced and fair.
Despite this, Desiree said that the benefits have been significant: “CSA subscriptions give producers guaranteed sales each week, which is incredibly valuable. It reduces risk, supports planning, and allows them to invest in their businesses with more confidence. It also creates community—not just between farmers and customers, but among the farmers themselves. It’s easy to feel isolated in this line of work, but this model helps us stay connected and encouraged.” Most importantly, each farm or maker gets to focus on what they do best! These include Guardian Grains, Beagle Hill Permaculture Farm, Hilltop Farm LLC, Betty’s Acres, Gardendwellers Farm & Ranch, and, of course, Esther’s Acres.
So what might a customer expect when participating in the Multi-Farm CSA? Desiree said, “Each season varies in length, contents, and pricing. Summer is our longest and most abundant season, especially for fresh vegetables. We often include 5–8 different types each week. Spring bundles are typically lighter, with 3–4 types of produce. The Holiday bundle is unique. It includes food and non-food items, highlighting the full range of what our farmers grow and make, which makes it perfect for gift giving. One of the surprises customers love most is finding fresh-milled grains, unique veggies – like purple kohlrabi, hand-mixed spices, or handmade beverages in their weekly bags—it’s a little unexpected and always appreciated.”
Subscription prices will vary depending on the combination of shares selected and are generally paid for up front. In the Spring, eggs were on the lower end of the price spectrum while a meat subscription was the most expensive. Larger families should also be aware that a meat share only provided enough for four individuals, and may want to budget for an additional share. When considering these costs, it’s important to remember that users are supporting these farmers and businesses in their seasonal operations and that these prices reflect an investment in the local food system. Those on a budget or who desire more direct control over their weekly menus may prefer to continue to utilize the Farmer’s Market instead.
Up next is the Summer CSA, which should launch by 13 August and will run for six weeks. The sign-up period is expected to begin on or about 21 July through 4 August. Interested individuals can follow the CSA’s Facebook page for the latest updates and a sign-up link. CSA shares will be picked up at The Meat Company every Wednesday from 4-5 PM.
To learn more about local food options visit the ND Local Foods Map at https://ole.ndda.nd.gov/localfoods or visit your local Farmer’s Market.
