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By DANETTE M. WATT
For The Telegraph
As a farmer, Kris Larson lives his life in rhythm with the seasons, each one bringing its own memories and labors - spring's planting, summer's weeding and
fall's harvesting. Winter is a time for preparation. Like the earth getting ready to receive seeds sown in the spring, Larson is preparing for another year at La Vista CSA in Godfrey.
"I'm looking forward to the next season and have been remarkably busy right now, buying seeds, planning fields and making repairs around the farm. When the season starts in late March, that's what I'll need to
focus on," Larson said.
The premise of community-supported agriculture is that of a covenant between the farmer and shareholders and with the land itself. The farmer commits to providing a season of produce, while members of the community
support the work by buying their shares before the season begins. The land itself is upheld and treated with respect through responsible farming practices, typically organic.
Although he had completed two apprenticeships and managed a farm before arriving in Illinois, last year was the first. time Larson was on his own.
"It was a challenge. We were farming under harsh, constantly changing weather conditions. We were 10 inches below normal precipitation, had exceptional heat in July and pest problems," Larson said.
Still, he was successful enough that, to date, more than half of last year's shareholders are returning. About 140 families received over 60 varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers last year during a
26week distribution season. Additionally, several shares are donated each season to the Crisis Food Center as part of La Vista's community outreach program.
Larson was born in Illinois but grew up in Spartanburg, S.C. He said farming "entered my life very slowly."
His path to La Vista began with forays into weedlots, woods and creeks while growing up. He worked in national parks and forests before taking a couple of agriculture classes in college taught by a 20-year veteran
of small-scale organic agriculture and founder of a CSA in California.
After graduating from college, Larson said he had to make a choice between "mud boots or shirt and tie. I had to choose between learning how to grow amazing carrots or having my own personal office. For me, it
was a choice between a life or a living."
During one of his apprenticeships he met his wife, Stacy, also a farmer.
"She's been farming longer than I have and has been a tremendous help. She saved me a couple times this past summer when I got behind on the weeding," Larson said. The couple has one son, Jacob, who is 18
months.
Larson recently attended a conference in Kentucky and came away reinvigorated.
"I was reminded that no farmer is alone and that there are things we can't control," he said. "Farming is not predictable, that's why we do it. It's never boring."
He believes next season will be even better, in part because an irrigation system is being installed on the farm this month.
"That's the most exciting thing for me. It will save me a lot of work," Larson said.
In the end, though, battling weeds, heat and pests is worth it.
"When the sun is setting, the breeze is blowing and our little boy is running through the fields - that's when the work is more than worth it," Larson said.
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