Community Supported Community Supported AgricultureAgriculture

Gary K. England

Regional Specialized Extension Agent/ Commercial Horticulture

Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Sumter Counties

Community Supported Community Supported AgricultureAgriculture

• What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

• Why consume locally grown produce?

• Types of CSAs

• Personal Experience

• Sources of Information

• Summary/Questions

What is Community What is Community Supported Agriculture?Supported Agriculture?

According to the book “Sharing the Harvest” by Elizabeth Henderson with Robyn Van En, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is “a connection between a nearby farmer and the people who eat the food that the farmer produces”

CSACSA

• Farmer shares risk with consumers

• Consumer connects with food supplier

• Seasonal fresh produce

• Community shared agriculture

Scott Matthieson, (Laguna Farm Santa Rosa, CA)

Why Consume Locally Why Consume Locally Grown Produce?Grown Produce?

• COOL (Florida since 1979)• Between 1980-2001(Roxanne Clemmons MATRIC)

a. imported fresh fruits increased 155%

b. imported fresh vegetables inc. 265%

• Nutritional Value

• Helps farm and local economy

• Ten Reasons

Ten Reasons to Consume Ten Reasons to Consume Locally Grown ProduceLocally Grown Produce

• Tastes and looks better (Harvested @ peak)

• Fresher

• Genetic diversity (Cultivars)

• Safer

• Supports local families/economy

Growing for Market Newsletter – Univ. of Vermont

Ten Reasons to Consume Ten Reasons to Consume Locally Grown Produce cont.Locally Grown Produce cont.

• Builds community

• Preserves open space

• Keeps taxes down vs. development

• Benefits environment/wildlife

• Invest in the future

Growing for Market Newsletter – Univ. of Vermont

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Financial

-Pay all or significant amount up front

-Pay with each weekly share

-Work in the field to pay a portion of share

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Management

-Farm/farmer managed

-Board of Directors (Farmer/Consumers)

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Production methods

-Conventional

-Bio Friendly etc.

-Certified Organic

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Receiving weekly share

-Home/Office delivery

-Pick up at central location

-Pick up at farm

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Other marketing outlets

-Farmers’ Markets

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Other marketing outlets

-Restaurants

Types of CSAsTypes of CSAs

• Other marketing outlets

-Farm Stands

My ExperienceMy Experience

SCOTT’S PRODUCE SCOTT’S PRODUCE CLUBCLUB

• STARTING UP

• MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF ALTERNATIVE MARKETING PROGRAMS

Produce Club Produce Club OverviewOverview

• Bio-Friendly Agricultural Production

• About 10 acres of land

• Harvest mid-October to mid-June

• 100 members (goal of 1000)

• Basket pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday

• Membership fee $75 per year

• Weekly Basket Cost $20/$12

From Field to Consumer on From Field to Consumer on Tuesday MorningTuesday Morning

• Large Share (example)1 lb. spring mix (mixed lettuces)1 bunch of carrots1 bunch of beets3 knob onions1 bunch of kale or other green1 head of Chinese cabbage3 bell peppers1 head of green leaf or bib lettuce1 head of broccoli1 bunch of radishes1 head of radicchioCherry tomatoes

• Small Share

1 lb. spring mix1 bunch of carrots2 bell peppers1 head of broccoli1 head green leaf or bib lettuce1-bunch radishesCherry tomatoes

Weekly ShareWeekly Share

PromotionPromotion

• Media outlets

• Word of mouth

• School programs

• Eco-tourism

ResourcesResources

• WebIFAS

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Worden Farm

http://www.wordenfarm.com/

Sweetwater CSA

http://www.sweetwater-organic.org/index.html

ResourcesResources

• Web cont.Plowshares CSA

http://www.plowsharescsa.org/

Monroe Organic Farm

http://www.monroefarm.com/

Laguna Farm

http://www.lagunafarm.com/

ResourcesResources

• Web cont.Southern Sustainable Ag Working Group

http://www.ssawg.org/

Attra

http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/csa.html

UC Davis Small Farm Center

http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu

ResourcesResources

• Book

“Sharing the Harvest” by Elizabeth Henderson with Robyn Van En

Additional InformationAdditional Information

• For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

• Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu

This presentation brought to you by the

Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.

Questions?Questions?