By: Robin Ford Wallace, Reporter

Keith and Katie Kasch Bien of Wildwood arrived home this fall from the intensive permaculture design course they took in California vibrating with horticultural zeal and eager to spread the word.

“I believe that if everybody had a kitchen garden the world would be totally different,” said Katie. “We could save the world with kitchen gardens.”

If you’re not sure how to go about growing a kitchen garden, she and her husband would love to show you. They are now certified horticulture designers and available for private consulting. Or you can always just attend one or both of the free lectures they will give on Feb. 5 and 19 (see accompanying article).

But if you can’t have a garden because of geography, scheduling or simple inclination, the Biens invite you to participate in theirs. They are doubling the size of their CSA (community supported agriculture) operation this year and are currently recruiting new members.  

In a CSA, members pay for shares in a garden, then receive fresh produce throughout the growing season. In the Biens’ CSA, Wildwood Harvest, the seasonal price is $600 for a full share, which entitles members to a large box of organically-grown, seasonally available vegetables each week for the 20 weeks of the season. 

A half share, which costs $350, for this year will be defined as a smaller box each week. Last year, the couple defined it as a full box every other week, but half-share members requested less produce more often, and the Biens think the new model will be easier for them, too.

Another change is that boxes will be larger all around this year, say the farmers, and members may pick them up two days a week rather than just one. Eggs and grass-fed beef will be available for an additional price, and eggs will be discounted for CSA members.  

The Biens also promise greater variety. As they sat down recently with the Sentinel to discuss spring gardening plans (all three quivering with anticipation like racehorses at the starting line), they awaited 250 varieties of vegetables and herbs they had ordered. As they did last year, they will specialize in heirloom plants, but more of them, and herb-wise they will offer a wider selection of medicinals as well as the culinary varieties.

The couple also plans to sponsor a series of “open-farm”-type seminars, demonstrations and dinners, at which members and the public will be welcome to come and see what’s going on at Wildwood Harvest. 

“That’s one of the major things that we learned through the CSA and through our permaculture design course, is that it takes community to do anything like this,” said Katie. 

To join, or for more information, call or email the Biens at (706) 657-3444 or wildwoodharvest@gmail.com.