Buckalew Farm

Families from all around took the drive out to Buckelew Farm, near Three Points, to pick their own pumpkins for Halloween.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Ryan Bruce, who works at Agua Linda Farm, pulled weeds around the cucumber patch last week. Agua Linda Farm grows much of the Tucson CSA produce.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Philippe Waterinckx started the Tucson CSA in 2004 with one farmer and 15 members. Today the group boasts more than 500 members and has a waiting list 100 people long.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Sweet potatoes were part of the harvest given out to members last week.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, A weekly offering of produce at Tucson CSA costs members $19. Organizers of the CSA compare their prices weekly to supermarket organic produce, and prices usually are similar.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Agua Linda Farmer Stewart Loew explains how hoop houses (shown) can maximize crop yields in a harsh desert climate. Loew plans to expand the farm's operations using more hoop houses.

Farm fresh

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Tucson Community Supported Agriculture volunteers, from left, Daniela Diamente, Ignacio River De Rosales and Neil Diamente, unload the day's produce selections for members to pick up. Members of the Tucson CSA purchase a share of a farm's harvest, which they pick up weekly.

A hand up for Marana farm

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Paco Bellego, from Mexico, helps dig out concrete footers of a shade structure that was recently destroyed by a microburst at the Marana Heritage Community Farm. Bellego was among numerous Up with People cast members helping around the farm last week.

A hand up for Marana farm

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Up with People cast member Kathleen Eastman, from Jackson Hole, Wyo., removes weeds at the community farm in Marana last week. The cast of Up with People, in town for a performance last weekend, helped around the farm from 9 a.m. until about 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19.

A hand up for Marana farm

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Chris Pierno, from Alberta, Canada, helps remove a plastic covering over a greenhouse at the Marana Heritage Community Farm last week.

Nabhan's new book on heritage farming