Farmer Jay Martin of Bivalve has brought to the Eastern Shore what is a growing trend in other parts of the country -- an organic food supply that is owned by the community.

Martin, who runs Provident Farm, is now harvesting organic broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots and other vegetables in season for about 70 Wicomico County residents who are shareholders in the crop.

Known as "community supported agriculture," Martin is nearing the end of his first year in operation and he is confident that the venture will grow as people become aware of the benefits of membership.

"There are five organic farmers within 30 miles of Salisbury and none of them market locally," he said. "There was a market here that was not being satisfied."

For $540, people can become shareholders in Provident Farm and receive a box of fresh produce for 30 weeks, which contains enough vegetables to feed a family of four. Discounts are available for people interested in volunteering time on the farm. The 14-acre farm generates 45 different kinds of produce, ranging from less known varieties such as Swiss shard and leek to lettuce and asparagus.

The farm provides a pesticide- and hormone-free produce supply.  But Martin, who operated Silver Seed Greenhouse for 16 years before starting Provident Farm, said it also is a way to bring the community into harmony with nature.

"This is a way for people to reconnect themselves with their food supply. It is a mutually beneficial relationship between the farmer and the shareholder. ... It's a healing process for the earth because no pesticides are used," he said.

Robert Williams and his wife, Judith Pike, and their children, Theo and Ellie, became shareholders in the farm when it began in April.

"We've been purchasing organic food for a long time, but it is hard to get. Giant used to have it. Then SuperFresh had it, but it dwindled away," Williams said. "Then we found out about what Jay was doing."

In addition to the health aspect of organic food, he said becoming a shareholder has increased his appreciation for the work farmers do.

"We were out of touch with the food and the people who grow it. That was something we were hungry for," Williams said. "I'm not a hunter, but I think it is similar to the experience they may have. Hunters have more of a reverence for what they eat."

Williams, whose wife is a professor at Salisbury University, are typical farm shareholders, Martin said.

"We found a niche at Salisbury University," he said.

Now, Martin and his partner, Patrick Crouch, are hoping to double its membership for next year's harvest and are looking to bring in people from disparate backgrounds.

"We would like to be able to serve the people that need vegetables the most, and that is lower income people," Crouch said.

He also said there are opportunities for the business community to become involved by purchasing a share for needy families, as well as opportunities for high school students to become involved with the farm and receive membership in return.

"When you have control over your food source you have control over your life. This is something that can give people confidence," Crouch said. "People are buying more than food. They're buying into something larger."

The concept of community-supported agriculture began shortly after World War II in Japan, when the country began to urbanize and people became concerned about their food supply. Known as Teikei farms, or "food with the farmer's face on it," cooperative farming arrangements grew and eventually began to sprout up in the United States.

Martin said there are three guiding principals that Provident Farm follows: eat in season, eat locally and eat fresh.

Excess vegetables from the farm are on sale in the parking lot between the Wicomico County Free Library and the Downtown Plaza on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

"Right now we have 70 members, but we're hoping to get about 140. We need more involvement to continue doing this," he said.

For information about Provident Farm, call 410-860-9850.