Does anyone run a CSA or is part of a CSA?

[Buster52]

Coincidentally, the newsletter from one of my favorite websites contains a nice article about CSAs...

http://www.localharvest.org/newsletter/20100223/choosing-a-csa.html?r=nl

 

[mom'sfolly]

I thought that part of the idea of a CSA is that you take the risk along with the farmer. If there is a crop failure, then you suffer; if nature offers an abundance then you prosper. The money upfront is supposed to help the farmer with front end costs, instead of having all the money tied to harvest time.

 

[jerseygirl1]

mom'sfolly :

I thought that part of the idea of a CSA is that you take the risk along with the farmer. If there is a crop failure, then you suffer; if nature offers an abundance then you prosper. The money upfront is supposed to help the farmer with front end costs, instead of having all the money tied to harvest time.

That's what I thought when we originally joined - we've been fortunate and have always had a very successful run with our food baskets pick-ups - if there is heavy rain one season, we get LOTS of lettuce - if there's a drought, we get lots of Kohl rabe (sp?). They balance it out quite well​

 

[midwestmilkmaiden]

.. just curious..

How much land do these CSA's work off of???..

I have a few acres and was contemplating doing something like that for my small town..

 

[Wifezilla]

I just printed brochures for a local CSA. People were grabbing the flyers off the counter before the CSA came to pick them up! So YES, there is community interest.

I am not joining though because the price is WAY too high for my budget. For the price of joining the CSA I could revamp them entire yard in to growing beds and get my own stuff. Well, that is pretty much what I am doing anyway...LOL

If I have any surplus I am going to just hit a church-run farmer's market. That way if I don't have anything to sell, no pressure and I can sleep in

 

[Brunty_Farms]

You don't need a lot of land that is for sure. I know the interest is there because we quickly got 13 members to join... I think it took 3 days after advertising, which is awesome. As far as space requirements it's 50x150 for our vegetable garden and we have 75 blueberry plants and 2,000 strawberry plants not sure on the size of those.

See I feel the opposite, I believe you would make more money from the CSA than from taking your produce to market every week. We are going to do both this year to see how it works out but last year the market was hit and miss. If it would rain it would really slow down our sales for the day on the produce. Once you pick it, fresh produce doesn't stay good for very long. It was almost like giving our garden away. This way we have money up front, for instance we only require a down payment and then weekly from there. However the option to pay all at once or monthly is ok to, as long as we get an initial down payment and money on a regular basis I don't really care how they pay. However having a couple members already pay up front was great because I just bought shelves, lights, seeds, hooks, chains, greenhouse, ect and the total was well over $2,000 for everything.... which is now paid for by the CSA members.

The first year is tough because of all of the new things you have to buy but I'm so used to it that it's not a big deal to budget for buying supplies and equipment. I can't wait until the day that I don't have to make huge investments and can enjoy my profits! But even then you have repairs, replacements, and so on.

I think the CSA is the way to go so far. From my experience just from a few weeks is to stay on top of your game, be organized, be personable, and keep up communication.

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it...

Buster... I love local harvest... my farm is listed but I have to update it. Great article.

 

[Davaroo]

Im still wondering what this paragon of social virtue, the CSA, actually is.

So what is it?

 

[mom'sfolly]

Community Sponsered/supported agriculture. Basically you pay upfront for a share of the farmer's crop. It is usually picked up on a weekly basis throughout the growing season. Here in Texas they usually run two seasons, a spring/summer season and a fall season.

My CSA has 7 acre, 4 under cultivation. My farmer is looking for bigger, less expensive farm land, but this year is working for Urban Roots, which teaches farming to city kids.

http://www.youthlaunch.org/programs/seeds.php

 

[Davaroo]

Ive done that for years with a friend of mine, only with his pastured cattle. It has pitfalls, like anything, but it works.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

This is our 4th year participating in a local CSA. First year was pick up a weekly basket deal. But in the second year the farm/farmstand closest (1/2mile) from us began a CSA and I was thrilled. Instead of getting a basket weekly, you buy shares (worth $100) at a discount. So if I buy my shares this week, I get a 6% discount (I'll pay $94 for a $100 share). In March the discount drops to 5%. Then you use your shares like a debit account toward anything they offer in their farmstand. I get my flowers (annuals, some perrenials), a few starts for my veggie garden plus all the things I don't (and won't) grow at home. This would work well for someone with an established farmstand and eliminates the hassle of picking/packing baskets every week!! I

it!!!!

eta: They offer tours w/ the farmer and occasionally have PYO specials for members only. They'll also let you carry over a balance in the fall to the next spring...