CSA's

What is a CSA?  

Here's a definition from www.localharvest.org

What is Community Supported Agriculture and How Does It Work?

Used with the permission of Community Supported Agriculture of North America at University of Massachusetts Extension

CSA reflects an innovative and resourceful strategy to connect local farmers with local consumers; develop a regional food supply and strong local economy; maintain a sense of community; encourage land stewardship; and honor the knowledge and experience of growers and producers working with small to medium farms. CSA is a unique model of local agriculture whose roots reach back 30 years to Japan where a group of women concerned about the increase in food imports and the corresponding decrease in the farming population initiated a direct growing and purchasing relationship between their group and local farms. This arrangement, called "teikei" in Japanese, translates to "putting the farmers' face on food." This concept traveled to Europe and was adapted to the U.S. and given the name "Community Supported Agriculture" at Indian Line Farm, Massachusetts, in 1985. As of January 2005, there are over 1500 CSA farms across the US and Canada.

CSA 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. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.

Here at Bountiful Acres our CSA is rolling a long.  There are seeds started and emails going between potential CSA members and us here at the farm, there is planning happening at every corner.  And it is exciting.  We started the incubator this Saturday and in about 21 days we should be welcoming some new chicks to the farm.  The lotion is flying out the door...we have a wonderful goat's milk and honey base lotion that we are using now.  The hoophouse plan is going well and everyday is one step closer to reality.  We have the 7 dairy goats that we bought in December and they are all quite settled in here.  We are currently deciding on whether to start bee hives this spring or not.  And I'm still making cheese and butter with raw cow's milk and it is just wonderful    You can find us at: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/M26936 and here: http://www.localtable.net/farm_guide/farm.php?name=Qm91bnRpZnVsIEFjcmVzIENTQQ==