{"id":5049,"date":"2021-06-07T15:00:53","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T19:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/?p=5049"},"modified":"2023-01-04T12:35:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T17:35:30","slug":"community-supported-agriculture-a-game-changer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/community-supported-agriculture-a-game-changer\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Supported Agriculture: A Game Changer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by: Arhona Bhadra<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is CSA? How did this concept originate?<\/b><\/p>\n

Community supported agriculture (CSA), often known as cropsharing, is an organized program which enables farmers and the community to work together towards crop production through buying and selling of shares of the year\u2019s harvest. CSA has been well-established in different countries since 1965. Biodynamic agriculture techniques were pioneered in the United States by two farmers, Trauger Groh from Germany and Jan Vander Tuin from Switzerland. A community supported agricultural project named Topinambur was founded by Vander Tuin near Zurich, Switzerland. This influenced the creation of two separate CSAs in 1986 in the US. The coinage of the term \u201ccommunity supported agriculture\u201d was officially recognized in the northeastern United States in the 1980s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Two

Zurich Supported Agriculture by Jan Vander Tuin<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

How does CSA work?<\/b><\/p>\n

The following steps are involved in the functioning of a traditional CSA:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Early in the year during spring, farmers connect with registered members to sell CSA shares. This occurs prior to the planting of crops to ensure detailed pre-planning.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Interested members buy a share (known as \u201cmembership\u201d or \u201csubscription\u201d) of the year\u2019s harvest. However, besides the share, farmers also distribute the risks and benefits of food production among the members and themselves.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Farmers then use the received money to purchase the necessary materials such as seeds, compost, tools, etc. At times, CSA shareholders are also responsible for providing funds during the growing season.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. After harvesting, the members start receiving vegetables, fruits, meat and other farm products regularly. They are usually provided boxes or baskets packed with freshly washed harvested vegetables, including at least 8 seasonal items.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. The CSA offers pickup and delivery options for the members at a designated location and time every week.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"To

    Steps in a traditional CSA process <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Are there different types of CSAs?<\/b><\/p>\n

    Many modifications have been made to the traditional CSA model. As CSAs continue to evolve, it has become more suitable for the needs of both the farmers and the consumers. The most common types of CSAs include:<\/span><\/p>\n