Community Supported Agriculture

Community Farm Type

The very first CSAs in the United States, Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts and Temple-Wilton Farm in New Hampshire, both initiated in 1986, established the model of the “community farm,” which dedicates its entire production to the members, or sharers. Indian Line divided its produce so that every sharer received an equal share or half-share. There was one fee for all full shares, and a lower fee for all half shares. TempleWilton allowed sharers to take what they needed regardless of how much they paid; each member paid what he or she could afford.

The example of these farms gave rise to the image of the ideal CSA: a smoothly functioning organic or biodynamic farm dividing all its produce among a committed group of supporters who share the risks and benefits of farming with the farmers. With a market assured and income guaranteed, the farmers can concentrate on producing high-quality food and practicing careful stewardship of the land. The members get to eat the freshest, tastiest, most nutritious food they have ever experienced, as though they were master gardeners, but with much less work. They and their children learn about food production and by eating seasonally make a deep connection to a special piece of land. They respect and honor the farmers'skills and hard work and express their appreciation through friendship, financial support, and helping on the farm. Members and farmers converge into a vital, creative community that celebrates diversity, both social and biological, and makes food justice and security a living reality. Food justice and security means that everyone, regardless of income, has the right to an adequate amount of safe, nourishing, culturally appropriate food from non-emergency sources, at a price that he or she can afford. Local, regional, and, in time, even international networks of CSAs and other sustainable food enterprises could supply members year round with ecologically produced and fairly traded foods.

...