Clevelander Tim Smith basically created Community Greenhouse Partners from sheer will power. After conceiving the idea for the urban farm, he spent more than a year beating the bushes for a location, finally buying a decommissioned church at East 67th and Superior Avenue from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese at the end of 2010.
The project has had its ups and downs, but it has continued to grow, adding capacity each year, and “graduating” numerous cohorts of young interns who spend a season or part of one. Many live in the former parish house that’s now a farmhouse, with numerous upgrades made in the past year. (Volunteers are always welcome; contact Tim here to find out what they need when). CGP has been selling the outputs of its greenhouses, hoop houses and raised beds at farmers markets for years including year-round at the Coit Road Farmers Market.
A few years ago it added CSA — Community-Supported Agriculture — share, available for pickup at the farm or for delivery.
“This year we’re inspired to increase out reach and double our number of shares,” says Smith. “Last summer we had 34 shareholders and this year we plan to reserve 70 slots for our supporters to take advantage of our offerings.”
Shares are now available for this summer, with subscribers receiving a box each week for 20 weeks, starting May 15. The affordably priced bags will include lettuce, microgreens and at least two other seasonal vegetables; they’re ideal for people who tend to have too many leftovers from other CSAs. They can be picked up at the Coit Market, the Tremont Farmers Market or the farm, or delivered in many areas of Cleveland and some inner-ring suburbs. Pickup shares are $200 for 20 weeks; delivery shares are $280. Eggs can be added. Learn more here.
Smith says the farm is also in the process of raising dozens of varieties of tomatoes, peppers, squashes, beans, cucumbers and more, available as starters for home gardeners. The CGP Facebook page will have a complete list later this month. They’ll be available at the Coit Market and plant sales around town starting May 8.
Learn more about Community Greenhouse Partners here.