CSAs
The Facts on Community Supported Agriculture!
What are they?
CSAs are similar to joint-stock companies, except they involve farms instead of corporations (LocalMarket, 2013). A farmer just sells "shares" of his farm to people who live nearby. In exchange for their purchase of a share, the "shareholder" receives some fresh produce from the farmer weekly. The shareholders essentially share the risks associated with the production of produce that normally the farmer would have to bear all alone.
What are the advantages for farmers?
Farmers get additional income and get the income before normal farming season, providing them with extra money to support themselves with. In addition, since they have to sell produce earlier than usual, the farmers get back into their groove of produce marketing for the farmer season.
What are the benefits for consumers?
Consumers receive fresh produce straight from the farm - as organic as produce can be!! Consumers also enjoy a personal relationship with the people growing their fruits and vegetables (Localmarket, 2013). New healthy produce can have profound impacts on the overall health of families.
How did CSAs develop?
CSAs were brought to the United States by European farmers who were influenced by the biodynamic philosophies of Rudolf Steiner (Wikipedia, 2013). These two farmers started the first two CSAs in America: the Great Barrington CSA and the Temple-Wilton CSA. Eventually, these CSA's formed other CSAs as members spread out and distrbuted the practice around the country. Now there are CSA's in over 20 countries!
References
Community Supported Agriculture - LocalHarvest. (n.d.). Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
Community-supported agriculture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.).Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture#CSAs_around_the_w