Benefits of CSAs

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs have grown mightily over the last few decades. As the decline in small local farms continues, CSA programs have managed to gain ground, with thousands of farms participating across North America. But what is a CSA?

A CSA is a subscription service where community members purchase shares from local farmers (this can be produce, flowers, meat, milk, etc.). It’s essentially putting a monetary value on community support with the understanding that the community and the farmers are in it together. If it’s a great growing year then everybody wins and there’s plenty to go around. If it’s an unpredictable growing year and the weather is off and the pest pressure is high then the community members bear the brunt of the season with the farm and hopefully decide to keep supporting the farm throughout other more successful seasons. It’s support through and through! So why join a CSA?