Community Supported Agriculture is a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm so the farmland becomes the community's farm. Growers and consumers provide mutual support and share both the risks and benefits of food production.
With CSA, a farmer offers a certain number of shares to the public. Usually a share consists of a box of vegetables, but other products from the farm may be included. Interested consumers purchase shares, in advance, to cover the anticipated farming costs. Shares are also called memberships or subscriptions. In return these shareholders receive a box of seasonal produce each week of the farming season, but they also share the risks of farming, including poor harvests from things such as bad weather and pests.
CSA has become popular over the last 20 years. It is a great way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from the farmers, according to the Local Harvest Web site.
Here are some advantages of a CSA, straight from Local Harvest:
Advantages for farmers:
-Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
-Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow
-Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
Advantages for consumers:
-Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
-Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
-Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
-Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm – even veggies they've never been known to eat
-Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown
You can search for the closest CSA on the Local Harvest Web site, click here. There are six in the Pullman/Moscow area. For example, the Washington State University Organic Farm's CSA has 105 shares. The CSA averages 24 weeks starting mid-May and running through the end of October. A share costs $525 a season, but a half share is available for $325.
