Before Birch Point, Michelle helped to start the MSU Student Organic Farm and its year-round CSA , while completing a master's degree in horticulture.  She has also worked for three other CSA farmers in Massachusetts and Michigan.  With Marty Heller, she spent the 2006 growing season touring, by bicycle, 31 of Michigan’s 70+ CSA farms, volunteering on each one, getting to know the farmers, and recording video footage which was used to create a CSA documentary short film. 

In 2007 Marty and Michelle had a small wholesale garden and market garden, and the results were encouraging enough to start a small (20-share) CSA in 2008.  Marty has moved on to pursue other farming interests (specifically local production and distribution of dry beans, and possibly grains!), and he'll be able to give you an update on that project once the growing season is underway.  The gardens and the membership here at Birch Point have been growing steadily since we started, and Emily and Michelle are pleased to offer up to 40 shares this year.  We feel confident in our ability to bring you the quality, flavor, freshness, and beauty we expect from organically grown, just-picked CSA produce. 

        Your farmers are passionate advocates for a healthy, strong, local food system, one which includes fresh, whole foods produced with organic/sustainable agricultural practices, direct marketing, and eaters who are personally acquainted with farms and farmers.  We love food – growing it, preserving it, preparing it, and sharing it with others.  And talking about it…. and writing about it… reading about it…. you could say we’re obsessed with really good food!

We’re honored that you are considering supporting our effort.