For 10 years, Conyers Locally Grown has been a source of joy for locals seeking exceptionally fresh products straight from a farmer’s hands to their kitchen tables.

It is a community-supported agriculture system with the slogan, "Small Farms Making a Difference." Dan and Kristen Miller of Heirloom Organics, along with past and current member farms, created the network to provide organic, locally-grown products that are in season.

It also gives proud farmers/growers a way to showcase and benefit from their months of hard work.

"I’ll go cut lettuce Friday morning, depending on the

order, that I’ll then deliver Friday afternoon," said Brady Bala, market manager and grower at his Double B Farm.

"I don’t think you can get any fresher than that."

The network has about 20 farmers/growers with more than 375 products offered. None uses synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Customers have everything from organic bath salts to duck eggs to choose from online.

Bala strives to ensure the farm-to-table process runs smoothly. Customers must put in their weekly orders online by 8 p.m. Tuesday. They pick them up Friday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Copy Central on Parker Road in Conyers.

What is available depends on what is in season. In a few weeks, farmers will start on peppers and cucumbers, for instance, while greens will dwindle because it is getting too warm. Bala will soon order seeds for his fall garden. He is about 30-45 days away from harvesting garlic he planted in October.

"The farmer is always looking at the next step," Bala said. "You’ve got to have plans. You’ve got to be prepared."

He said he has been so busy he did not realize the network’s 10-year milestone.

Conyers Locally Grown markets to just under 400 customers, although it does not get that many ordering weekly. Most customers order about once a month, but about 20 consistently order weekly.

Bala believes interest has grown mainly through word of mouth because of increased consumer awareness about healthy eating benefits and a desire to know where food comes from and how it is grown.

"It’s not for everybody because some things can be somewhat expensive," he explained. "But when you buy a gallon of milk or pint of strawberries from us, money goes straight to the farmer. That’s the beauty of this whole system. When we get together as small farmers we can rival the offerings of the big stores."

There is a $25 annual fee per household after the third order. The first two orders are a free trial.

Barry Gwilt and Sally Robertson, of Treffynnon Farm in Conyers, joined the network after leaving Decatur in 2008 and starting a 5-acre farm. They began with a few chickens and now also raise geese and heritage turkeys. The farm is one of a few in Georgia that is soy free.

"People tell us they’ve never tasted turkey so good," Gwilt said. "The birds we grow here aren’t caged. They run free in the fields and woods."

He has a farming background from Wales where he worked on his grandfather’s farm raising beef, so oftentimes he is in the fields. Robertson, a full-time college theatre instructor, handles the business side, but also gets her hands dirty.

They admit it is hard work and they barely make any money, but they love it.

"If you have a backyard garden to die for and you’re doing it naturally, apply to be a network farmer," Robertson said. "It’s so rewarding."

For more information on Conyers Locally Grown, visit www.conyers.locallygrown.net.