SouthWinds Farm is a small farm dedicated to growing delicious healthy foods, using organic and sustainable methods. Our farm runs primarily on solar energy. Located in the San Pedro Valley, near Benson, we strive to provide the freshest, highest quality vegetables and fruit to our customers.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in purchasing produce grown locally in the San Pedro Valley near Benson. We hope you’ll join in enjoying our farm’s bounty and become a member of our CSA!

Our mission is to:

Grow delicious, healthy, organic vegetables and fruit;
Use sustainable methods and permaculture techniques to do so; Treat our customers and supporters with respect and care; and
Engage with our various local food and farming communities.

How It Works

Buying a share in a CSA is like purchasing a food subscription to a farm. As a share member you become part of our farm community. You pay at the beginning of the season (or by payment plan), and every week during the season you receive a selection of seasonal, delicious, fresh, local, and organic produce. You pick up your share at one of the farmer’s markets that we attend: Heirloom Farmers’ Market at Rillito Park and Green Valley Farmers’ Market. If you are not able to pick up your share, you designate someone to pick it up for themselves or for you. We do not extend the season for missed shares.

Where, How and What We Grow

We have 8 acres in the San Pedro Valley, approximately 5 miles east of Benson. Right now we have one field of about 1 acre in area, plus two small orchards (Jujubes, pomegranates, figs). We use organic techniques to grow our vegetables. We use only organic fertilizers and natural pesticides. Our crops are both hybrid and heirloom varieties. We do not grow any GMO crops.
We use rainwater, groundwater, and drip irrigation to optimize our water usage. Our farm is off-grid, so our water is pumped using renewable energy. We use berms and other earthworks to increase the recharge of the rain that falls on the farm. We currently meet the farm’s energy needs using solar energy and will be adding another bank of solar panels this fall.

How Our CSA Is Different

We concentrate on variety within these fall and winter season staples: greens (salad and cooking), carrots, radishes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, bok choi, cabbage, beets, kohlrabi, broccoli, and herbs (cilantro, basil), among other crops.

We try to vary the mix every week but there will be weekly repeats. There will also be some surprises and additions. The amount you get each week is based on market value. The benefit of the CSA over only shopping at the farm stand is that we always give our CSA shareholders first choice on the choice items such as carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, etc. Also, produce moves quickly at the market and the CSA guarantees you go home with a great selection of our best produce.