what is community supported agriculture csa

How to start a community supported agriculture?

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. In a traditional CSA model…

How to join a CSA Farm Share?

 · Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm. The growers and consumers provide mutual support and share the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or share-holders of the farm or …

What does community supported agriculture mean?

For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included.

What is a community supported agriculture?

 · Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are a fun and reliable way to get fresh, farm-grown products on a weekly basis.

What is a Community Supported Agriculture system?

Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

What is Community Supported Agriculture CSA )? Find a CSA in the triangle?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a production and marketing model whereby consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. Consumers become CSA members by paying an agreed amount at the beginning of the growing season, either in one lump sum or in installments.

Are Community Supported Agriculture worth it?

Bottom Line: Joining a CSA is a wonderful way to support local agriculture and buy fresh and affordable produce, but it’s a big commitment. If you’re new to buying local foods, you may want to start by shopping at your local farmers’ market or farm stand weekly before signing up for a CSA.

What is the purpose of a CSA?

How a CSA Works. The main purpose of a CSA is to define and record the collateral offered by both parties in a derivatives transaction in order to ensure that they can cover any losses.

What are the pros and cons of joining a CSA?

The Pros and Cons of Joining a CSAPro: You’re supporting a specific local farm sans middleman.Con: You’re limited to that farm.Pro: The food is fresh.Con: You must be ready to use it.Pro: It’s inexpensive.Con: You have to spend it all at once.Pro: It’s interactive.Con: There are requirements.More items…

How do you plan a CSA?

Here are some tips for developing a crop plan for your CSA.List When Your Crops Will Be Available. The first step in developing a CSA crop plan is to forecast when your crops can be available throughout the season. … Curate Your Weekly Shares. … Create a Planting Schedule. … Assign Locations to Your Plantings.

Do you save money with CSA?

On average, you get about 22 weeks of vegetable pick-up for your $700, which breaks down to a little more than $30 per week. So yes, a CSA could add $30 to your weekly food budget if you don’t cut back anywhere else—which means if you’re on a tight budget, you have to find something to cut.

What does CSA box mean?

Community Supported Agriculture boxCSA boxes, or a Community Supported Agriculture box is a great way to provide you and your family with healthy, usually organic and local produce. A CSA box is a monthly subscription to various locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables.

What is flower CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A flower CSA works the same way as popular vegetable CSAs. We ask customers to join in later winter/early spring before the growing season begins. Your payment helps our farm buy seeds and other supplies for the coming year.

How do farmers benefit from CSA?

A benefit for farmers who become involved in a CSA is that they can develop a long-term relationship with their members, one that may encourage members to support farmers by renewing their memberships each year. Many small-scale or part-time growers could use a CSA rather than an auction to sell much of their produce.

What are the disadvantages of using a CSA?

The Cons of Joining a CSA There are forces outside of your control that could damage crops and therefor your share–weather, pests, etc. This is the risk you take in joining a CSA. You may get a large quantity of a type of produce that you don’t care for.

When did community supported agriculture start?

The ideas crossed the Atlantic and came to life simultaneously but independently in a new form, CSA, in 1986 at both Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire.

What is CSA farming?

Community Shared Agriculture, or CSA, is a farming model built on fairness and transparency for both the farmer and the consumer. Traditionally, a consumer buys a share of a farm up-front, which provides financial security to the farmer for that season. In return, the consumer receives a regular box of fresh produce.

Why do farmers need CSAs?

CSAs are one way to restore sovereignty to farmers, who can rest easy knowing costs—rain or shine —are covered. As a result, they’re often able to spend more funds improving the farm, whether that be investing in a drip irrigation system, hiring more trained help, or experimenting with new crops or techniques.

How does farming affect the environment?

Off the farm, issues like greenhouse gas emissions and waste are greatly reduced as excess refrigeration, transport, and packaging are rarely necessary.

How do industrial farms affect the environment?

From animal waste polluting groundwater, damage caused by a plethora of antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides used, to the monocropping practices that sap soil quality , industrial farms impose major damage on the environment. Despite the outsized control these operations have on our food system, alternatives like CSA offer a better future.

Why is the US so infamous for its industrialized farming system?

What was seen as a trend towards efficiency, safety, and prosperity has shown steep consequences, many of which fall squarely on the shoulders of farmers who own and operate small to medium-sized farms. Put simply, farmers can’t compete with the outsized productivity and low market prices industrialized farms offer, and as a result are driven out of business.

Is CSA good for the environment?

What’s more, a CSA makes a positive impact on the environment, especially when compared to industrial farms. This article is a great resource for those looking for an alternative, potentially better, way to source their food. Featured Video.

Do CSA members get good food?

First and foremost, CSA members receive high-quality food, whether that be a box of produce or one with specialty items like cheese and meat.

What is a farmer’s share?

Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

Why do farmers receive payments early in the season?

Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow

Can a farmer deliver chickens to a CSA?

For example, a produce farmer might create a partnership with a neighbor to deliver chickens to the CSA drop off point, so that the CSA members can purchase farm-fresh chickens when they come to get their CSA baskets. Other farmers are creating standalone CSAs for meat, flowers, eggs, and preserved farm products.

Do kids like food from their farm?

Find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat

Can CSA members be reimbursed?

If things are slim, members are not typically reimbursed. The result is a feeling of “we’re in this together”. On some farms the idea of shared risk is stronger than others, and CSA members may be asked to sign a policy form indicating that they agree to accept without complaint whatever the farm can produce.

What is CSA program?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are a fun and reliable way to get fresh, farm-grown products on a weekly basis. CSA programs have early roots in the “clientele membership clubs” pioneered in the South by Black horticulturist, author and Tuskegee University professor Booker T. Whatley in the 1960s and 70s, and in European cooperative farm economics, explored by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s and capitalized upon by farmers in post-WWII Germany and Switzerland. The farm-to-consumer model was popularized in the U.S. in the 1980s by the Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire, which drew on the philosophy behind the European cooperative farm movement to create their own CSA programs focused on producing local goods for local markets. In the years since, CSAs have grown in popularity across the country and are now widely available through many farms.

How does CSA work?

is the idea that consumers pay up front for a season’s worth of sustainable, locally-grown produce, thus providing financial support for farms to operate and taking on some of the financial risk involved in the growing season.

When does CSA start?

Logistics. CSA programs generally run either from January-to-January or from June-to-November, although exact dates vary by farm. While the programs may not begin weekly shares until June, registration for many CSA programs begins in March or April, with some farms offering discounted prices for early sign-ups.

When did farm to consumer start?

The farm-to-consumer model was popularized in the U.S. in the 1980s by the Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in New Hampshire, which drew on the philosophy behind the European cooperative farm movement to create their own CSA programs focused on producing local goods for local markets.

What is direct to consumer?

Ultimately, the direct-to-consum er model provides farmers with a reliable market for their crops and upfront payment to fund their growing season, while consumers have a chance to receive a weekly share …

What Is a CSA?

A CSA program offers independent, generally small farmers (ours is from a five-acre plot) an alternative way to sell their products. It may be managed by the owner of a single farm, or by a group of farms functioning as a cooperative. As the name suggests, CSAs provide food for specific communities.

Comparing the Cost of CSA Produce and Store-Bought Produce

Because it was a gift, my wife and I are not paying for our CSA this year. But we like it enough that we’re certainly going to sign up next year. With that in mind, I took a look at the potential savings (or cost) of our membership.

Other Benefits and Considerations

Considering the economy of scale that my local supermarket enjoys, it’s amazing that the CSA is competitive at all – let alone less expensive. It’s also important to note that the produce from our CSA is picked within a day or two of our weekly pickup.

Additional Savings: Changing Eating Habits

Buying shares in a CSA may have other financial benefits – since our CSA began, we’ve definitely changed our eating habits for the better. These changes have led to quantifiable savings:

Final Word

At the end of the day, Community Supported Agriculture is about more than saving money at the grocery store. It’s about getting a little closer to the folks who produce our food and supporting those who choose to earn a living in a non-conventional way.

What is CSA farming?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a production and marketing model whereby consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. Consumers become CSA members by paying an agreed amount at the beginning of the growing season, either in one lump sum or in installments. The annual cost, generally ranging from $400-$700, …

How does CSA work?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a production and marketing model whereby consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. Consumers become CSA members by paying an agreed amount at the beginning of the growing season, either in one lump sum or in installments. The annual cost, generally ranging from $400-$700, depends on the length of the harvest season and the variety and quantity of products provided. This upfront payment helps buy the seed and other inputs needed for the season and provides the farmer an immediate income to begin the season. By paying at the beginning of the season, CSA members share in the risk of production and relieve the farmer of much of the time needed for marketing. This allows the farmer to concentrate on good land stewardship and growing high quality food.

What should be on a CSA brochure?

Brochures should explain the concept of CSA; the benefits of CSA; the story, vision, and goals of your CSA; what products members can receive (how, when, where); share price; how members can join; and whom to contact for more information

What is CSA statement?

Some CSA producers write a statement explaining that they will grow vegetables for a certain time period to the best of their ability under the conditions of that upcoming season, and that the members agree to share the risk and are expected to contribute their share price no matter what the season brings.

What is a farmer?

Farmer works with members to determine overall budget and share price. Requires a very committed community, but provides for real costs of production from year to year. Farmer calculates income requirements, production costs, and farm expenses for the year – full cost of farm operation.

Who is responsible for working out the details of the CSA?

The core group is comprised of the farmer (s) plus several consumer members and is responsible for working out the details of the CSA

What are the best places to find CSA members?

Existing groups or communities (environmental groups, businesses, churches, community action organizations, health food stores, fitness centers, schools, civic organizations, etc.) are a perfect place to find members; use their meetings and newsletters as way to spread the word about CSA and recruit members

CSA or Community Supported Agriculture

What is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture or crop sharing. Crop sharing is a system that connects the producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms.

Finding A CSA in Your Area

It is important to find a Community-supported agriculture that follows guidelines. The official site of the United States Government has a list or directory to help you find one in your area https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/csas

Start a Community Supported Agriculture Program In Your Area

It is no easy task being a farmer. I want to share this network I found that has all the tools to start a CSA. If you are interested in finding out more about starting this type of program in your area I recommend checking out the Fair Share Coalition at https://www.csacoalition.org/resources

What is CSA food?

At its core, a CSA is a way for consumers to buy local, seasonally fresh food directly from a farmer. Of course, people have been getting produce from local farmers for as long as there have been farms. The main innovation of the CSA is the way it distributes risk and reward among the entire community, including the farmer.

How do CSA members fund a farm?

Members fund the farm by paying their subscription fee in advance. And then they share equally in the harvest every week. CSA members drive to the farm at a set time to pick up their box. When the farm has a good year, the members become inundated in produce. The boxes vary depending on how the crops are doing.

How does a flexible week CSA work?

A flexible-week CSA solves the problem of members going on vacation and coming home to a tower of rotting produce on their front step, or, more commonly, paying for boxes they aren’t going to consume. Many families spend as much time giving away their vacation-week CSA shares as they do finding neighbors to watch their pets and water their house plants. With a flexible week CSA, members sign up for a certain number of weeks throughout the season. For example, if the CSA delivers shares for 25 weeks through the summer, each member signs up for 10, 15, or all 25 weeks. If they pay for fewer than 25 weeks, they then choose which 10 or 15 weeks they want to get their share to work around vacations and other issues.

What is market style CSA?

In the market-style CSA, bulk bins display products at the distribution site. And each member comes to pack up their own box. That site might be on the farm, or at a different location. Each week’s share may be completely predetermined for each member, partially predetermined, or entirely up to the customer. The market-style CSA evolved to offer more choices to consumers. It also saves the farm some time and money because they don’t need to box up each package for the customers.

What is a multifarm CSA?

Multi-farm CSAs take risk- and benefit-sharing to the next level by creating a cooperative or other business arrangement in which a group of farmers get together to market, plan, harvest for, pack, and distribute a CSA box. This is great for small farmers who prefer to concentrate on growing a smaller number of crops really well instead of worrying about growing 50 different types of fruits and vegetables to satisfy the entire market. Consumers benefit as well, by getting a more diverse box than they would receive from a single farm. There is likely less risk for the customer because the products come from so many different farms, so if a couple of the farms experience significant crop losses, the successful ones will make up for them.

What is CSA risk sharing?

This means that one bad year will not bankrupt a local farmer, forcing them either to mortgage their future to a large industrial conglomerate or to sell outright and find another line of work. In essence, the community is protecting its small farms by guaranteeing farmers “living wage insurance.”

Where do CSAs deliver their boxes?

The customer then picks up their box at a given time and place, either directly from the farm or at community locations. And some CSAs deliver straight to the customer’s door for a no-contact option.

Supporting Farmers

The US is infamous for its industrialized farming system, which hatched in the 1950s. What was seen as a trend towards efficiency, safety, and prosperity has shown steep consequences, many of which fall squarely on the shoulders of farmers who own and operate small to medium-sized farms. Put simply, farmers …

See more on thespruceeats.com

Consumer Benefits

Environmental Benefits

• From animal waste polluting groundwater, damage caused by a plethora of antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides used, to the monocropping practices that sap soil quality, industrial farms impose major damage on the environment. Despite the outsized control these operations have on our food system, alternatives like CSA offer a better future. The CS…

See more on thespruceeats.com

How to Participate