UC Santa Cruz Training Organic Farmers and Gardeners Title Teaching Direct Marketing and Small Farm Viability, 2nd Edition. Unit 3 - Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/49m8k4qv ISBN 978-0-9828781-1-8 Publication Date 2015-04-03 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIT 3 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Introduction to Unit 3: Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture 45 Unit 3.1: CSA History 57 Unit 3.2: CSA Structure & Organization 69 Unit 3.3: CSA Outreach 77 Unit 3.4: CSA Administration 109 Unit 3.5: CSA Crop Planning 117 Unit 3.6: CSA Harvest & Post-Harvest Handling 143 44 | Unit 3 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 3.0 Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture Introduction 47 Resources and References 49 Research Bibliography 54 Unit 3.0 | 45 Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture 46 | Unit 3.0 Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture UNIT OVERVIEW Since Robyn Van En and other farmers kick-started the CSA movement in the mid 1980s, much has changed in the way that Community Supported Agriculture both farmers and the public perceive Community Supported (CSA) is an agricultural and Agriculture. While some farmers continue to subscribe to the community development movement original tenets of CSA (later described), many farmers, com- munities, and companies now use the term CSA to encompass a that was developed to serve a dual wide variety of market and community relationships. purpose: as a stable marketing Throughout the changes in the conception and practice of opportunity for growers, and as a Community Supported Agriculture, the UCSC Farm & Garden way to reconnect consumers with of the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems the sources of their food and foster (CASFS) has remained committed to many of those founding tenets of CSA. In particular the Farm and Garden supports closer personal relationships between both in practice (on our farm) and in teaching (both to our farmers and their communities. apprentices and in this manual) the concepts of locally grown organic food, affordability, and seasonal commitment. In doing Robyn Van En, one of the early so, the Farm and Garden attempts to bridge the growing gap between these founding ideals while adapting to the faster- pioneers of CSA in America, paced, more customer-oriented version of CSA projects that expressed the concept dually. She exist today. wrote that Community Supported This unit on direct marketing through Community Supported Agriculture should be coupled with Agriculture introduces students to the history of CSA and to- day’s various CSA structures. In addition, this unit will focus in ASC—Agriculturally Supported depth on the two primary forms of CSA (the Membership/Share Communities. This mutually Model CSAs and the Subscription Model), illustrating how supportive relationship between CSA structure, outreach, and administration differ for each model. The unit also covers the agronomic considerations for producer and consumer was what running a CSA, including crop planning, soil fertility, harvest, CSA was founded upon. In 1985, and post-harvest handling. Van En wrote that CSA embodied the principle of “local food for local people at a fair price to them and a fair wage to the growers. The members’ annual commitment to pay their share of the production costs and to share the risk as well as the bounty set this apart from any other agricultural initiative” (Henderson and Van En, 2007). Unit 3.0 | 47 Introduction Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture Along with lecture outlines, each unit contains MODES OF INSTRUCTION appendices that include student exercises and/or > LECTURES (1-2 HOURS EACH) information that the instructor can use as visual examples and student handouts. > STUDENT EXERCISE (UNIT 4.5) Unit 3.1 – History of CSA explores the history and development of the community supported LEARNING OBJECTIVES agriculture movement, introducing students CONCEPTS to the principal figures and the economic and • Historical development of community supported social values that have directed the growth of agriculture in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. this model of sustainable agriculture in Europe, Japan, and North America. • Various CSA structures and organizational models Unit 3.2 – CSA Structure and Organization examines the various forms that a CSA operation can • Opportunities and challenges presented by the take, from those run by a farmer to those run CSA model by the community. It discusses variations on the • Techniques for recruiting CSA members and CSA model, examines some of the challenges administering a CSA of running a CSA project, and lists training opportunities for learning CSA farming skills. • CSA crop planning considerations Unit 3.3 – CSA Outreach looks at strategies for • Harvesting and post-harvest handling recruiting CSA members, developing low- considerations for a CSA operation income memberships, developing a core group, SKILLS and producing outreach materials such as brochures, pledge forms, and printed and online • Understanding of various CSA management newsletters. techniques Unit 3.4 – CSA Administration introduces the nuts • Ability to develop a basic crop plan for a mixed and bolts of organizing the administrative vegetable CSA operation details of a CSA operation, including advertising, correspondence with CSA members, billing, and creating databases. Unit 3.5 – CSA Crop Planning covers the basic considerations involved in developing the type of diverse mixed fruit and vegetable operation required for CSA production. This unit also includes a crop planning exercise and a number of appendices that can be used to develop a crop plan and track CSA field production. Unit 3.6 – CSA Harvest & Post-Harvest Handling outlines the techniques involved in successful harvesting and post-harvest handling of crops for CSA operations, including information on packing CSA shares, harvest record keeping, and harvest crew management. 48 | Unit 3.0 Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture Introduction Resources & References PRINT offers multiple case studies of successful Adam, Katherine. 2006. Community Supported Ag- CSA operations. Contains useful overviews riculture. Fayetteville, Arkansas: ATTRA-National of alternative land tenure options for CSA Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. attra. producers. Sample budgets for a CSA operation ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=262 are included, along with suggestions for the This publication reports on the history of formation and management of farmers’ markets. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the U.S. and discusses the various models that have Henderson, Elizabeth, and Robyn Van En. 2007. emerged. Recent trends in the CSA movement Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Commu- are presented and demographic information nity Supported Agriculture —Revised and Expanded provided about the distribution of CSA farms Edition. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green in the U.S. Several CSA cases are profiled Publishing Co. and a survey of recent research is presented. A revised and expanded version of this excellent References and resources follow the narrative. introduction to the CSA model. Covers all aspects of CSA from organization to production Butler Flora, Cornelia, and Corry Bregendahl. 2007. and distribution considerations, including how The role of collaborative community supported “community support” may be applied to other agriculture: Lessons from Iowa. Leopold Center industries. Progress Report 16:44-7. The aim of this research project was to Henderson, Elizabeth. 2010. The World of Com- understand the role collaborative Community munity Supported Agriculture. Keynote address Supported Agriculture (cCSA) plays in at Urgenci Conference on Community Supported community and economic development in Iowa. Foods and Farming, 22 February, at Kobe, Japan. www.chelseagreen.com/content/elizabeth-henderson- de Selencourt, Kate. 1997. Local Harvest: Delicious the-world-of-community-supported-agriculture/ Ways to Save the Planet. Lawrence and Wishart. A brief history of CSAs and an around-the- Outlines the array of benefits—for people world tour of the present trends in the CSA and the environment—that responsible food movement. production and marketing can bring. It also shows that good food costs less when it’s local. Jackson, Greg, Amanda Raster, and Will Shattuck. 2011. An analysis of the impacts of health insurance Douthwaite, R. J., and Richard Douthwaite. 1998. rebate initiatives on Community Supported Agricul- Short Circuit: Strengthening Local Economics for ture in southern Wisconsin. Journal of Agriculture, Security in an Unstable World. New York: Green Food Systems, and Community Development, 2 (1): Books. 287 – 296. Chronicles the many efforts by regular people Lass, Daniel, Ashley Bevis, G. W. Stevenson, John to recapture their economies and their resources Hendrickson, and Kathy Ruhf. No Date. Communi- from sprawling, globalized systems. Chapter 6— ty Supported Agriculture Entering the 21st Century: Living from the Land—has a section about CSA Results from the 2001 National Survey. Amherst: as well as Buschberghof. Available online in its University of Massachusetts, Department of Re- entirety at www.feasta.org/documents/shortcircuit/ source Economics. www.cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/ index.htm. uploads/2008/07/csa_survey_01.pdf Groh, Trauger, and S. McFadden. 2000. Farms Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture of Tomorrow Revisited: Community Supported Coalition. 1996. From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Farms—Farm Supported Communities. The Biody- Guide to Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce. namic Farming and Gardening Association. The main section of the book features 51 Provides an introductory overview of the different vegetable and herb sections. Each need for alternative farming systems and section includes nutritional, historical, and Unit 3.0 | 49 Resources & References Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture storage information as well as cooking tips and Perry, Jill, and Scott Franzblau. 2010 (revised). Lo- specific recipes—over 385 recipes in all. Includes cal Harvest: A Multi-Farm CSA Handbook. Sustain- essays that address how food choices fit into able Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). our economy, environment, and communities. www.sare.org/publications/csa/csa.pdf Includes information on home food preservation Offers straightforward guidance on an and an extensive resource section and recipe innovative practice that is helping CSAs index. stay strong and viable over the long term: cooperative marketing. The 130-page book McFadden, Steven. 2011. The Call of the Land: An details how farmers in CSA cooperatives can Agrarian Primer for the 21st Century, Second Edi- best work together to market their produce, tion. Bedford, IN: NorLights Press. including advice on staffing, volunteer boards, More theoretical. A good teaching tool for distribution, legal topics and other practical families and communities to learn about the information. alternative food system. Includes ways for families, neighborhoods, communities, schools, Peterson, Farmer John, and Angelic Organics. 2006. and churches to contribute to the good food Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Veg- movement by supporting alternative agriculture. etables. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. Lyrical yet practical, this cookbook chronicles McFadden, Steven. 2004. The History of Com- the lives of vegetables as they make their voyage munity Supported Agriculture, Part I and II: CSA‘s from field to feast, celebrates the seasonal cycles World of Possibilities. Rodale Institute. www.new- of fresh produce, and will inspire delicious, farm.org/features/0104/csa-history/part1.shtml healthful food for your table. Norberg-Hodge, Helena, Todd Merrifield, and Steven Gorelick. 2000. Bringing the Food Economy Soil Association. 2001. A Share in the Harvest—An Home: The Social, Ecological and Economic Ben- Action Manual for Community Supported Agricul- efits of Local Food. London: International Society ture. (Ringbound manual) for Ecology and Culture (ISEC). A practical guide to support those—including An ISEC report showing that the globalization farmers/growers, consumers, and activists— of food is not only undermining farmers and who wish to develop community supported damaging the environment, but also posing a agriculture (CSA) initiatives. The manual uses real threat to human health, food security, local experiences from CSA farms in the United economies, and, ultimately, consumers. Kingdom and overseas and includes information on CSA models, membership, finance and legal Norberg-Hodge, Helena, Peter Goering, and John issues, land and share issues, grant advice, and Page. 2000. From the Ground Up: Rethinking In- useful publications. dustrial Agriculture. London: International Society for Ecology and Culture (ISEC) and Zed Books. Soil Association. 2001. A Share in the Harvest—A Feasibility Study for Community Supported Agricul- An analysis of the roots of the environmental, ture. social, and economic crises facing modern industrial agriculture, and a review of more This feasibility study looks at how community sustainable options. supported agriculture (CSA) can help in the development of local and sustainable Norberg-Hodge, Helena, Todd Merrified and Steven food economies. It investigates community Gorelick. 2002. Bringing the Food Economy Home: involvement in farming around the globe and Local Alternatives to Global Agribusiness. London: in a number of established and planned CSA Zed Books. initiatives in England. Eleven case studies Based on the ISEC report (above), this book provide the basis of discussion, along with includes some new and updated information, a relevant policy recommendations and areas for resource guide, and an index. future research. 50 | Unit 3.0 Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture Resources & References Tuin, Jan Vander. 1992. Zürich Supported Agricul- Association maintains a national CSA online ture. RAIN magazine 14(2), Winter/Spring. database. This article describes the philosophy and The Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food inspiration for CSA in Switzerland which Jan Systems (CASFS) Vander Tuin brought to the the US to help inform the beginnings of CSA on the east coast. casfs.ucsc.edu A research, education, and public service program at the University of California, WEB-BASED RESOURCES Santa Cruz, dedicated to increasing ecological Alternative Farming Systems Information Center sustainability and social justice in the food and agriculture system. On the UCSC campus, www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa the Center operates the 3-acre Alan Chadwick An excellent and comprehensive resource for Garden and the 33-acre UCSC Farm. Both sites accessing information on all topics in print are managed using organic production methods and video media relating to CSA. AFSIC is a and serve as research, teaching, and training cooperative effort between the Cooperative facilities for students, staff, and faculty. The State Research Education and Extension Service CASFS operates a 130-member CSA program (CSREES) and the National Agricultural and conducts research and publishes articles on Library (NAL) of the U.S. Department of the efficacy of alternative food initiatives such as Agriculture (USDA). “CSA Resources for CSA. Farmers or Producers” provides extensive CSA-related information, online articles, and Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems print resources. “Organizations and Related www.cias.wisc.edu Web Sites” will take you to the support groups in your area that can provide further, Brings together university faculty, farmers, regionally specific information and crucial policy makers, and others to study relationships one-on-one support for CSA endeavors. These between farming practices, farm profitability, centers provide information about books and the environment, and rural vitality. Includes periodicals, and provide access to farm budgets, links to sustainable grazing dairy systems, crop tracking sheets, and management software. pastured poultry, and the School for Beginning Dairy Farmers; research summaries on CSA; Angelic Organics information on the School for Beginning Market Gardeners and on developing farm-to-college www.csalearningcenter.org projects. A comprehensive information clearinghouse on all aspects of CSA. The CSA Learning Center Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a nonprofit resource center (501(c)3) that www.caff.org provides opportunities for diverse community members, prospective farmers, and CSA A searchable web resource containing shareholders from the greater Chicago area. information on CSA and other related regional Includes youth education programs; models for food system initiatives. Contains notices of developing low-income CSA shares; technical current agriculture public policies, listing of assistance and training programs for regional current CAFF publications as well as a calendar producers, among others. of sustainable agriculture events. Contains links to multiple CAFF-sponsored agriculture The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening and wildland interface projects. In 2013 CAFF Association: co-hosted the URGENCI worldwide CSA conference. www.biodynamics.com The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Educational and Training Opportunities in Association is a nonprofit, membership Sustainable Agriculture organization and is open to the public. The www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/edtr.htm association has an educational focus and conducts conferences, workshops and seminars. A comprehensive listing of post-secondary The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening education and training opportunities in Unit 3.0 | 51 Resources & References Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture