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What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)? |
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CSA is becoming increasingly popular for people wanting fresh, local, organically grown, safe food and farmers wishing to produce food for their community on family-owned farms nourishing their lives and family in the process. If you will, CSA is like going back to the way our country was founded; on individual sustainable farms, but with an added modern twist to ensure farms remain financially feasible. Founded in 1985 by Robyn Van En, the CSA movement has spread to over 1,200 farms across the nation and it continues to grow. Farmers adopt CSA for various reasons, to save the farm financially, market and live a more natural lifestyle or as a life philosophy. Small family farms are disappearing in the U.S. however, CSA is changing that statistic. In 1998 Michigan counted only eight CSA’s, 2002 there were twenty-seven and by 2006 there were over sixty. Most CSA farmers embrace small sustainable organic farming methods, environmental issues, fresh local food, a bond between the consumer and the food origination along with educating the community, especially the young. So what does “organic” mean? According to the Organic Trade Association, “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” All CSA farms are not certified organic, but they probably still use basic organic practices. In its basic form, the CSA farm produces vegetables or other items for members who pay in advance for their share of the harvest. This also includes sharing the risk of crop failure. Typically the members receive their share once a week by picking it up from the farm or sometimes picking it straight from the plant. Increasingly farms are adding additional food and non food items either to attract members or in an effort to complete their farm’s mutually beneficial relationship towards sustainability. Some farms require members to work to help the farm owner and learn more about the food they eat. Places to look for local CSA farmers include your local farmers market. An ideal CSA produces only enough for their members, but in good years there can be surpluses to sell and farmers markets are perfect places for farms to locate potential members. Visit the farms, taste the food, talk to other members before you decide what is best for you and your family, because philosophy, practices and interpretation of the concept vary greatly among farms. Also, sign up early. Many CSA farms are booked solid and have waiting lists by the time the first vegetable is harvested. Good websites to learn about CSA, organic food, find local events and farmers: Local Harvest website: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ - CSA explanation, local events and lists of local farms USDA Publications: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml Library of CSA publications and links CSA in Michigan, website: http://www.csafarms.org/ Mostly NW Michigan farms, info on CSA and links Wilson College: Robyn Van En, founded CSA in 1985: http://www.wilson.edu/wilson/asp/content.asp?id=804 Organic Growers of Michigan http://www.michiganorganic.org/ Organic certifying organization, local chapters Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance http://www.moffa.org/page/page/4069041.htm Promotes organic farms Michigan Food and Farming Systems http://www.miffs.org/index.asp Promotes farming and small farms Oakland Land Conservancy http://www.oaklandlandconservancy.org Conserving, protecting Oakland County land Maple Creek Farm http://www.maplecreekfarm.com/index.html Largest Michigan CSA - Links, facts, recipes Jupazza – Vitale Community Co-op Farm http://www.jupazza.com/organic_produce.htm CSA and links Primos del Camello (CSA Farm) http://www.pdcllamas.com/garden.html CSA and Llamas Rocky Gardens CSA http://www.homeandgardensite.com/rocky_gardens.htm CSA, Garden Q&A, links & tips MSU Student Organic Farm http://www.msuorganicfarm.com Info about the farm, programs, links and recipes Other CSA Articles by Sandie Parrott: |
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