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HOME What is a CSA? How do I join the CSA? CSA Member Feedback What do we grow? Where is the farm? Who are we? Volunteer opportunities Photos Guide to using fresh produce Farm History Contact us Links Sign Our Guestbook |
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA is a system where a farmer sells "shares" of his/her crop
to customers. The customers pay for the share before the growing season starts so the farmer knows how much to grow
and has money to cover production costs. In return, the customers receive, usually weekly, an allotment
of fresh local produce throughout the growing season.
This system benefits consumers because it puts them in direct contact with their food producer so they know how their food is being grown and they can communicate their needs and preferences directly to the farmer. In addition, it provides consumers with fresh produce that is packed with flavor and nutrients that are often lost when produce is picked under-ripe and shipped around the country (or the world!). Unlike supermarkets, which are all basically alike and carry the same varieties of produce, CSA's are as varied as the farmers that run them. Each one is unique in how it is run and what kinds of foods are grown. Joining a CSA is also a great way to put the money you spend on food directly into the local economy. This system also benefits farmers because it is less risky than the typical way farms are run. Usually a farmer goes into debt to pay for the costs of the coming season, grows a bunch of produce, and then hopes to find enough buyers to cover production costs and make a little profit. If crops fail or the farmer can't find a market for their produce, it goes right to their bottom line. Ironically, when crops do better than expected, farmers are still often left out in the cold because they didn't have a planned market for the overabundance and/or the market is saturated with the product, which drives prices down. Anyway you look at it, it can be tough to make a buck. CSA's, however, function much differently. The farmer has money at the beginning of the season to cover initial costs and create a realistic budget. The farmer also already has a guaranteed market (the CSA members). If a particular crop fails or if growing conditions are not ideal one season, each share holder bears the cost by having slightly less in their share. On the other hand, if a particular crop does better than expected, share holders will get even more than they had planned for. CSA's are growing in popularity with people who want to support local foods and their local economy as well as those who want the freshest and tastiest produce. If you want to join the Happy Farmer CSA, please read about how our particular CSA works and then contact us. If you want a much better description of what CSA's are and why they are so beneficial to farmers, consumers, and local economies, try visiting the website of Wilson College. Another good source for info about CSA's is Equiterre, a Canadian organization that supports CSA's in Quebec. |
 A gathering of some of the 2007 CSA members for our 2nd annual opening potluck dinner (Apr 2007).  The group for our opening potluck dinner (Feb 2006). |