Local Harvest
If you’re looking for truly local food, look no further than Shrock Family Farm, based in Selma, Ind.
Shrock Family Farm is a family-run farm dedicated to growing delicious, local vegetables while caring for the land. The farm is owned by Brandon and Shelly Shrock. Shrock Family Farm offers pasture-raised eggs, poultry and produce.
Locally, Shrock Family Farm sells produce to Spangler Farms in Yorktown, Ind., Oakwood Retreat Center in Selma, Ind., and the Muncie Food Hub. Shrock Family Farm offerings can be purchased via their online storefront, CSA program, onsite and at the Minnetrista Farmers Market and Fishers Farmers Market.
Brandon has a degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resources from Purdue University. Brandon says he loves to feel healthy soil crumble between his fingers, watch the insects change throughout the season and listen to the birds sing in the morning.
“As more and more people move away from agriculture, people need to know where their food comes from and understand how it is produced,” Brandon says. “Supporting a small business like ours adds diversity to the community and gives an important option for those looking for fresh, local produce.”
Brandon says he was encouraged to start a farm from a question posed by his pastor: “If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what would you do?”
Brandon says he had heard the question several times, but in 2008 he started imagining a farm. During a career crossroads in 2012, Brandon decided to pursue farming. The couple sold their house in Yorktown, Ind., and moved their family to Selma, Ind., to launch Shrock Family Farm in 2013.
Shrock Family Farm utilizes sustainable and environmentally sound practices, including cover crops, natural inputs and compost approved for organic produce production.
“We believe healthy soil produces healthy plants and healthy plants provide health to those who consume them. We believe food is medicine,” Shelly says. “Our chickens are used to open new growing areas, where they forage on the groundcover and add nutrients back to the soil.”
The community can connect directly with their local farm and local farmers through the CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a membership program and serves as a connection and commitment to your local farm, an exploration of a variety of produce and an opportunity to create new, seasonal dishes in the kitchen.
“The idea of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a shared risk and reward,” Shelly says. “We believe our local community is vital for our survival and our survival is vital for the community. It’s a very symbiotic relationship.”
Shrock Family Farm offers a CSA Veggie Sampler Box for two weeks for customers to try the program before purchasing a traditional CSA. Shrock Family Farm also offers a flexible Choice CSA option.
“Those who participate in the CSA help the farm get started every late winter by signing up and providing us the ability to purchase seeds and supplies to grow the produce over the upcoming season,” Shelly says.
CSA members receive a portion of the farm’s harvest and are welcome to visit and work on the farm. The 24-week CSA runs from May through the second week of October each year.
“A CSA is a great way to support a local farm. You get to be part of the farm and it not only benefits you and the farmer, it benefits the local community as well,” Shelly says. “It also is a way to force yourself to eat local vegetables when they are in season.”
CSA members receive their weekly share of freshly harvested vegetables via weekly pickup or delivery. The CSA share includes 8-12 vegetables and herbs. The share equates to 1-2 grocery bags during the regular season and 2-3 grocery bags during the peak season. Members can select between whole, half and quarter share sizes.
Spring offerings include gourmet lettuce mixes, arugula, spinach, rhubarb, asparagus, radishes, turnips, green onions, carrots, beets, peas, kale, cilantro, oregano, broccoli, head lettuce and cauliflower.
Summer offerings include zucchini, summer squash, green beans, peas, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, kale, cabbage, radishes, turnips, carrots, beets, green onions, celery, basil, parsley, cilantro, potatoes, lettuce mix, head lettuce, kohlrabi and cucumbers.
In the fall, Shrock Family Farm offers green onions, turnips, radishes, winter squash, broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, lettuce mix, head lettuce, garlic, onions, cilantro, carrots, beets, kale, celery, basil, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, kohlrabi, zucchini, summer squash and green beans.
Shrock Family Farm also distributes produce via Market Wagon, a web-based accumulator that distributes local produce and products to Indianapolis and surrounding counties.
Shrock Family Farm is located at 5000 S. 750 E. Road in Selma, Ind.
For more information, visit shrockfamilyfarm.com or call 765-759-7481.
