You Should Know: Johnson’s Backyard Garden
Local organic farm provides produce.
Johnson’s Backyard Garden (JBG) operates as a certified organic farm, providing Austin and neighboring areas with locally grown vegetables. Getting its start in 2004, JBG was a small urban backyard in East Austin selling produce to farmers markets in Austin. Now, JBG has two locations on more than 70 acres of land, growing more than 60 types of vegetables and herbs.
Farm to Mouth
While JBG continues to sell produce at 20 nearby farmers markets, in 2006 it added community supported agriculture, also known as CSA. Through this program, members form a direct partnership with the farm. Individuals purchase a CSA box in advance to receive a portion of the harvest. Members choose whether to receive weekly or bi-weekly vegetables, fruits and herbs. Each share has a variety of eight to 12 seasonal items. Along with the produce come recipes and info on how to handle and store the items. Those interested in adding free-range eggs, fair-trade organic coffee and other artisanal foods can make special requests.
The boxes are delivered to members’ homes, offices or are available at specific pickup locations. New to JBG is a variety of CSA box sizes available for members. An individual box serves one to two people for $24, a small box for two to four people is $29, a medium box for three to five people is $36 and a large box for four to seven people is $42.
Get Involved
Interested in earning a CSA box for free while getting the opportunity to see JBG behind the scenes? The farm allows volunteers for half a day, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. Individuals can choose to volunteer at the Hergotz location, working in the packing shed or greenhouse, or at the River Road location, where the vegetables are grown. Consider wearing long sleeves, pants and sturdy shoes, as well as bringing along sunscreen, a hat, work gloves and snacks. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact volunteer@jbgorganic.org 48 hours in advance to RSVP for a volunteer spot.
Be sure to visit jbgorganic.com for recipes, information on the weekly CSA boxes and upcoming news and events.
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