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Community Supported Agriculture
What is a Community Supported Agricultural Program (CSA)?
Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership of mutual
commitment between a farm
and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and
consumption of food. CSA helps to establish a sense of community and encourages land
stewardship. CSA encourages communication and cooperation among farmers as well as
supporting the bio-diversity of a given area and the diversity of agriculture through the
preservation of small farms producing a wide variety of crops.
A CSA is a mutually beneficial relationship in which a farm supports the community's
needs for fresh, nutritious, wholesome food, and community support allows a farmer to
devote his/her energies to gentle, conscientious and sustainable farming practices.
Members of a CSA share both the harvests and costs equally with other members and the
farmers. The community of members pledges to support the farm with an annual financial
commitment. The amount of the commitment is determined by a detailed budget which is
created to suit the needs of the community.
Each CSA has a dedicated core group which has been meeting for over a year to bring the
project into existence. The core group includes interested community members, the
farmer/gardeners, and the owners. Cooperatively they organize and make decisions about
distribution, finances, outreach and events.
No farm work is required of the shareholders/members, although they are encouraged to
visit the farm, explore the gardens, have picnics, or volunteer as often as they wish.
Harvest and volunteer parties will be held when extra hands are needed.
What can I expect to receive as a member?
- 24-26 weeks of farm produce
- An open invitation to visit the farm and share in the gardening
- An opportunity to pick your food up at the farm or at central locations
- A direct connection to the farm and farmers
- A fair price based on a well thought-out budget
- Annual Spring and Fall gatherings
- Workshops for adults and children
- Knowledge that your food is grown without harm to the water and soil
- A newsletter linking you to the farm, complete with recipes, upcoming events, and
harvesting information
- Opportunities to pick your own flowers and vegetables
Here is a suggested typical work schedule for a typical CSA
Month |
Tasks |
August |
Detailed budget and crop plan completed |
September |
Garden beds prepared, cover crops sown |
October |
Building of greenhouse begins,
begin installing irrigation system,
open house for members, composting |
November |
Continue with greenhouses and irrigation system,
composting, open house for members |
December |
Construction of packing
shed, place seed orders |
January |
Purchase remaining necessary tools and materials,
construct trellises |
February |
Sow early seeds in greenhouses |
March |
Sow seeds, care for seedlings and plants |
April |
Sow seeds, care for seedlings and plants |
May |
Begin harvesting and distribution to members |
June - August |
Harvesting Crop and Planning for the next year |
This
chart indicates possible types of crops and quantities
a shareholder/member can expect in a season
Note: these are suggested only and
may vary with each CSA arrangement
|
Full Share Qty. |
May |
June |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Broccoli |
15 lbs. |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
Cabbage
(Red, Green & Savoy) |
30 lbs. |
|
x |
x |
|
|
x |
x |
Bok Choi |
2 lbs. |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
Cauliflower |
6 heads |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
Sweet Corn |
12 dozen |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Kohrabi |
4 lbs. |
|
x |
|
|
x |
x |
|
Beets |
10 lbs. |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
Radishes |
10 bunches |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Collards |
6 bunches |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
Kale |
10 bunches |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
Spinach |
8 bunches |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
Daikon Radish |
4 |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Swiss Chard |
6 bunches |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Endive |
6 heads |
x |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
Radicchio |
4 heads |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
|
Arugula |
8 bunches |
|
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Mustard |
30 leaves |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
Peas (Snow & Snap) |
15 lbs. |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Lettuce
(head & Leaf) |
50 |
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
Parsley |
10 bunches |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
Carrots |
10 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Scallions |
12 bunches |
x |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
Cucumbers |
20 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Eggplant |
6 lbs. |
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
Okra |
2 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
Celery |
3 bunches |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Snap beans |
5 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
Melons |
8 |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Peppers, sweet |
8 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Peppers, hot |
1 lb. |
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
Potatoes |
150 lb. |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Pumpkins |
15 lbs. |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
Squash, winter |
20 lbs. |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
Squash, summer |
20 lbs. |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
Tomatoes |
50 lbs. |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
Globe Artichoke |
2 lbs. |
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
Mixed herbs |
25 bunches |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
Fresh flowers |
pick your own |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Full Share Qty. |
May |
June |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Share prices vary from region to region but are typically
between $200.00 to $400.00 Cdn per share
and could involve more than one farm in a region.
###
Web Site References for Community Supported Agriculture
If you have a CSA and would like to list it here
just e-Mail tdc's
FarmGate with a short description of your CSA, the location and an e-mail
contact address. |