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COURTESYPHOTOBYJOEPALUBESKI Emily Wise was crowned Red Bluff Union High School Homecoming Queen Friday night at Spartan Stadium. Pictured, from le , are Karli Rodriguez, Tyler Ellenberger, Kenzie Colgate, Tymberlyn Bealer, Maddy Eicholtz, Mary Herrera, Wise, Alyssa Jackson, Emilie Louisell and Nicole Renfroe. REDBLUFFHIGH WISECROWNEDQUEEN Beingasavvyconsumer can mean a lot of things. It can refer to a person who knows how to get the lowest price on what- ever he or she is buy- ing. It can also mean finding the best value — the high- est quality product — for the most reasonable price. Or it can refer to someone who shops ethically, ac- cording to his or her val- ues. However you define "savvy consumer," becom- ing one requires research and education about the products that you buy ac- cording to your individual priorities. When it comes to shopping for food, to- day's savvy consumers know where their food comes from, and, if they do things right, they save money, too. While stories of con- taminated goods perme- ate the news, the locally grown food movement has been gaining momentum. At the same time, the high cost of food is challenging all of us to find new ways to cut costs without sacri- ficing healthy eating. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pro- grams are popping up all over the country. Through a CSA, consumers can choose to buy shares in a local farm and then re- ceive portions of the farm's produce once it is harvested. In some areas, CSAs have become so pop- ular that there are waiting lists to join. GOING LOCAL. Food tastes better when it has not been genetically al- tered, harvested prema- turely and infused with chemicals to be able to withstand a 1,000-mile (or longer) journey from the farm to your table. Members of CSAs tend to eat seasonally. And they eat very fresh produce, which has been proven to be much more nutri- tious. HOW IT WORKS. Members of CSAs pay dues, which buy shares of a farm. These dues go directly to pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equip- ment and labor. Then, the harvest is divided between shareholders. Cost to produce can vary widely from one CSA to another, depending on regional location and other factors. COST VERSUS BEN- EFIT. Undoubtedly, it is cheaper to grow your own fruits and vegetables than to buy them at the gro- cery store. For example, one expert estimates that it costs about $3 for a to- mato transplant that will produce up to 25 pounds of the summertime fruit favorite. It doesn't get more lo- cal than growing produce in your backyard, but not everyone has the skills, expertise or resources to start a farm out back. Home gardening is not the only option for some- one who wants to reap the benefits of eating locally produced food. Participat- ing in a CSA can be a great solution. By joining a CSA, you may not get a better price dollar for dollar, but it will undoubtedly prompt you to cook more often. Mem- bers tend to eat at home more because they are get- ting boxes of delicious fresh produce every week. LOCAL COMMUNITY. Another benefit of the CSA program is that by sup- porting local agriculture, consumers support their own community. Dur- ing a time of economic hardship, where consum- ers choose to spend their money can make a huge impact, either positively or negatively. FIND A CSA IN YOUR AREA. The federal gov- ernment recently reported that there are 12,617 farms participating in CSAs in the U.S. The Local Harvest organization has under- taken the massive project of maintaining a database of all of them. Keep in mind that com- munity agriculture pro- grams are grassroots enti- ties, so each one is entirely unique. To get started, go to Lo- calHarvest.org. Search their network by typing in your zip code. An Internet search may turn up more results, but don't give up if the Internet doesn't yield anything promising. Go to your local farm- ers' market and take note of the names of the farms that attend. Talk to their representatives (the farmer is likely to be right there sitting at the table). Sample their pro- duce, and form relation- ships with the farmers you like. Get their con- tact information. It is important to know that with a CSA membership comes the "shared risk" that farm- ers face every year. If, say, a hailstorm comes and wipes out all the peppers, there will be no peppers in your box that season. BEFORE YOU JOIN. Learn all you can about the CSA before you join. Find out exactly what pro- duce you can expect in your box and when. Find out, also, what happens if you are unhappy with the produce after you join. If you pay month-to-month, make sure you can can- cel easily. If you pay a one- time annual membership fee, find out if it is refund- able. THOUGHTS TO PON- DER. Are you now, or have you ever been, part of a CSA? Do you grow your own food? Would you en- courage others to get in- volved in gardening and or a local CSA? Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE JoinaCSAforyour health and wealth Mary Hunt The Nature Conservancy is hosting free public hikes at Dye Creek Preserve. The preserve is a work- ing cattle ranch and the conservancy's semi-an- nual tours provide the public with an opportu- nity to view some of the region's most spectacular landscapes with knowl- edgeable and entertain- ing guides, providing in- sight on cultural, geolog- ical and biological points of interest. The hikes are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Satur- days, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14. The hike is about 5 miles and follows the course of Dye Creek it- self, which winds through a pristine volcanic buttes, hills and extensive blue oak woodlands. Expect great views, occasional wildlife sightings such as deer, golden eagles, and Lewis' woodpeckers. Bin- oculars enhance the expe- rience. You'll also have a rare op- portunity to explore a cave thought to be frequented by Ishi, the last survivor of the Yahi Indian Tribe. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness and agility are required to navigate the steep, rocky terrain and traverse the creek. Hikes are held rain or shine, with the exception of serious downpours. Dogs are not permitted. The weather may be hot, or humid and wet, so wear layered clothing and bring waterproof clothing and a hat. Carry plenty of drink- ing water, bring a lunch and plan to arrive 15 min- utes early. Space is limited to 25, so visitors are advised to book early. Reservations and more information is available through Khanh Tran of The Nature Conservancy at (916) 607-7881 or write to ktran@tnc.org. OUTDOORS Public invited to free Dye Creek Preserve hike Tehama County Coor- dinating Council on De- velopmental Disabilities is pleased to announce the honorees for the 11th an- nual Circle of Champions Dinner, which will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Receiving awards this year will be teacher and Special Olympics volun- teer Jody Johnson, residen- tial care provider Barbara Tippetts, North Valley Ser- vices staff member Janet Garrett, consumer Jarod Anderson and the Red Bluff Fire Department. The hon- orees are volunteers, pro- fessionals and businesses who have gone above the norm to provide services and enhance the lives of the handicapped. The dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge. The public is invited to attend the event and honor these individuals. Chairman for the event is Judy Ferrell who re- ceived a Circle of Cham- pions award in 2013. Fer- rell says that the event has been changed from a luncheon to a dinner this year to make it easier for consumers to attend. The fried chicken din- ner will include mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, green salad and a chocolate cheese cake des- sert. Reservations must be made by Oct. 6 and seating is by paid reservation only. The price of the dinner is $10. Checks should be made payable to TCCC — Tehama County Coordinat- ing Council — and mailed to Judy Ferrell, North Val- ley Services, 1350 Vista Way, Red Bluff 96080. Program for the eve- ning will be a presenta- tion on the Tehama Coun- try Visitor Center. The cen- ter, which is operated by North Valley Services, is a tourist information cen- ter as well as a day pro- gram for the developmen- tally disabled. Further in- formation is available from Ferrell at 529-2100 or Co- ordinating Council Chair- woman Anne Read at 527- 3643. The Tehama County Co- ordinating Council on De- velopmental Disabilities, which sponsors the din- ner, is made up of repre- sentatives of agencies, fam- ily members and consum- ers who meet every other month to review the ser- vices and policies for the developmentally disabled. The council meets at 12:15 p.m. on the third Tuesday of odd numbered months at the Tehama County Courthouse Annex. Interested persons are en- couraged to attend. TEHAMA COUNTY Circle of Champion honorees named CHICO California State University, Chico is now accepting applications for fall 2016. Qualified students seek- ing admission must ap- ply during the university's priority filing period now through Nov. 30 at www. csumentor.edu. CSU, Chico is im- pacted to first-time freshmen and upper-di- vision transfer students for fall 2016. The nursing program and the option in recording arts within the music major also are impacted. First-time freshmen ad- mission requirements and upper-division transfer admission requirements may be found at www. csuchico.edu/admissions/ want-to-apply. All first- time freshmen must take an SAT or ACT test by De- cember. For information about international applications, visit www.csuchico.edu/ iss/. 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