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