A CSA, (short for Community or Customer Supported Agriculture), program has become an increasingly popular way for consumers to buy direct from their local farmer and support local agriculture in the process.
The basic idea is simple: The farmer offers a certain number of CSA "shares" to the local public early in the growing season. Interested consumers purchase a "share", (aka a "deposit", a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a set amount of the farm's seasonal goods, such as vegetables and flowers, each pickup or delivery throughout the growing season.
The CSA arrangement creates many benefits for the farmer and consumer.
Benefits for the Farmer:
- Get to spend time marketing the farm's goods earlier in the season, before the long days in the field begin
- Receive payments earlier in the season to help with the farm's cash flow and provides for a more stable market place
- Provides income to operate and budget to construct infrastructure before the busy growing season
- Develop a unique connection with the local supporters of the farm's operation
Benefits for the Consumer:
- Develop a connection and supportive relationship with a local farmer
- Share in the bounty of fresh and healthy, locally grown food and flowers
- Opportunity to learn more about the farm and obtain peace of mind knowing the origin and growing practices of how your food or flowers were grown
- Share in the value of community building at it's core and support the local economy and local agriculture in the process
