| Having trouble buying the | | | | the land in your area and elevating |
| highest-quality seasonal organic | | | | environmental consciousness. |
| produce? Unable to find a wide variety | | | | "Most CSAs offer a diversity of |
| of natural and organic fruits and | | | | vegetables, fruits and herbs in season," |
| vegetables to bring home? Lack the | | | | the USDA notes. "Some provide a full |
| backyard space to grow your own natural | | | | array of farm produce, including shares |
| and organic foods? If you live in an | | | | in eggs, meat, milk, baked goods and |
| area where shopping for organic food | | | | even firewood. Some farms offer a single |
| poses a challenge, don't throw in the | | | | commodity or team up with others so that |
| all-natural kitchen towel! Many | | | | members receive goods on a more nearly |
| Americans in similar circumstances have | | | | year-round basis. Some are dedicated to |
| found the perfect solution: community | | | | serving particular community needs, such |
| supported agriculture, or "CSA." First | | | | as helping to enfranchise homeless |
| popular in Japan and Switzerland in the | | | | persons. Each CSA is structured to meet |
| 1960s, the CSA movement has -- pardon | | | | the needs of the participants, so many |
| the pun -- taken root with a vengeance | | | | variations exist, including the level of |
| in the United States, where it is | | | | financial commitment and active |
| sometimes referred to as "subscription | | | | participation by the shareholders; |
| farming." How, exactly, does a CSA work? | | | | financing, land ownership and legal form |
| By definition, CSAs are composed of "a | | | | of the farm operation; and details of |
| community of individuals who pledge | | | | payment plans and food distribution |
| support to a farm operation so that the | | | | systems." Luckily, the Internet has made |
| farmland becomes, either legally or | | | | it easy to track down a CSA in your |
| spiritually, the community's farm, with | | | | area. Several excellent online |
| the growers and consumers providing | | | | directories provide CSA listings: Santa |
| mutual support and sharing the risks and | | | | Cruz, California-based Local Harvest, a |
| benefits of food production," according | | | | supporter of "buying local" and organic |
| to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. | | | | farming since 1988, has a wonderful, |
| Community members -- usually referred to | | | | comprehensive online search engine. You |
| as farm "shareholders" -- pledge to | | | | may also search for farmers' markets, |
| share the expected costs of a farm's | | | | organic restaurants and food co-ops. |
| operation, including the farmer's | | | | The Sustainable Agriculture Research and |
| salary. | | | | Education (SARE) Program at Utah State |
| Members can stipulate that all produce | | | | University in Logan has a fully |
| must be grown under the strict tenets of | | | | searchable CSA locator, organized by |
| organic farming and organic gardening | | | | state. Links to individual farms are |
| practices. Each individual's investment | | | | only a mouse click away. |
| yields a share of farm crops -- not to | | | | The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening |
| mention a close connection to freshly | | | | Association, headquartered in Junction |
| picked organic produce that hasn't been | | | | City, Oregon, also has a great guide. It |
| sitting on grocery shelves for days or | | | | specifies whether farms are |
| even weeks. | | | | conventional, organic or biodynamic (a |
| Perhaps CSA expert Elizabeth Henderson, | | | | more "cosmic" approach to farming; click |
| author of "Sharing the Harvest: A Guide | | | | here for a thorough description). |
| to Community-Supported Agriculture," | | | | These websites also allow you to add |
| puts it best: "Starting a community | | | | your local CSA to their resource guide |
| supported agriculture project is a | | | | so you can publicize your community's |
| little like having a baby -- you unleash | | | | efforts -- a move that will attract more |
| biological and social forces that may | | | | shareholders. |
| take you in directions you never | | | | For additional information on setting up |
| expected." As a shareholder, you | | | | or joining a CSA, visit the SARE online |
| demonstrate respect for the earth by | | | | store, where you may purchase a wide |
| taking responsibility for organic | | | | range of books and reference guides for |
| farming practices, energy-efficient | | | | developing a sustainable agricultural |
| production and distribution, paying | | | | solution in your hometown. |
| local farmers a decent wage, controlling | | | | |