Polestar CSA
Interview with Sujata Redden
Director of Polestar Gardens CSA
—May 2009—
Carolena for Polestar: Aloha Sujata. We would like to share with our readers some tidbits about your activities as the director of our CSA. First, what does CSA stand for?
Sujata: “C.S.A.” stands for Community Supported Agriculture. For us, it’s a method of farming based on cooperation and the desire to produce locally grown, organic food in a sustainable manner. Members pay the farmer up front to help the production (shares) and they receive a box of fruits and vegetables (and in this case also some kombucha and baked goods!) per week for the allotted time. We are starting with four month increments.
P: What are the plans for the Polestar Garden CSA?
S: To grow a variety of organic produce suitable to our location, and provide affordable, high quality food to the greater community. Right now we are working on fencing (pigs!!), water, clearing cane grass, breaking ground, preparing soil, the new Greenhouse and seedlings.
P: Will you be providing anything besides vegetables for the new CSA members?
S: “Ma’s Kombucha”, created right here at Polestar, will be included in our weekly boxes. We’ll also add bananas, avocados when in season and occasionally some baked goods. In the future, we hope to provide sunflower sprouts, mushrooms and eggs.
P: Tell us about your background in farming.
S: When I was a young child, I was in the garden often with my grandparents in the Mid-west. As a college student in Oakland, CA. I took on my first full garden project -- in a busted up foundation of an old building! Seven years ago I created a community garden just outside of Grass Valley in the Sierra Nevada foothills. We had an acre at about 2000’ elevation with half garden and half orchard. It had been neglected for a couple of years but we managed to salvage some of the existing infrastructure and provided food for the small community living there.
I am certified in Permaculture and have studied Biointensive and BioDynamic Farming as well. One of the most inspiring places for learning for me was the Ecological Farming Conference at Asilomar in Monterey Bay, CA.
After moving to Hawaii, I managed C.O.C.O's in Kapoho for a year and a half which introduced me to this land and climate.
P: Is there anything else that you feel people should know about the CSA here at Polestar?
S: This is a great way to support Polestar, its young adults who study yoga and gardening here, and also to receive amazing organic food that is locally grown. We are also seeking CSA members from the mainland who would like to donate their weekly box to the local food bank. As we are just beginning, our early contributors will provide the foundational support for a very worthwhile endeavor. Feel free to come by and see what we are up to!
P: Mahalo for all your wisdom and good work and willingness to serve our community!
