How Do I Find a Community Supported Agriculture Farm?

Isn't awareness amazing? Suddenly, we discover a whole new world right under our own noses: we buy a Volvo and suddenly, it seems, our town is full of them or, for us mothers, when we are pregnant, we suddenly see pregnant women everywhere. When something is important and relevant to us, we take notice.

Chances are, there is a farm near you (even those of you in urban areas) that operates as a community supported agriculture cooperative (known as a "CSA"). You can contact your local USDA Cooperative Extension office to inquire about CSA in your area or check out the interactive CSA search at LocalHarvet.org.

To find a CSA that suits you, it is important to first inventory your own needs and resources: time, money, level of involvement, family friendliness, etc. Some farms require members to pick up their harvest from the farm; others offer delivery to a common pick-up location or, in some cases, even directly to your door. You should also have in mind what kind of produce you are looking for (variety and growing method, such as organic vs. conventional). Are you looking for other products besides vegetables? Some farms offer fresh dairy, eggs, meat, honey, maple syrup, fruit, flowers, and baked goods, depending on location and season.

The best way to get your questions answered, and any concerns resolved, is to visit the prospective farm(s) in person. This way you can tour the land, interview the farmers, and possibly sample the harvest (in season). If this is not possible, then do your legwork by phone. Developing a relationship with the farm is important not only for customer service and communication purposes; it also offers you a potentially rewarding educational experience.

In fact, some farms even encourage their members to roll up their sleeves and occasionally get their hands dirty by lending a hand with the harvest. Not at all a requirement, in most cases (although some farms offer a work-share program), but rather an opportunity to get connected (literally!) with your food chain. This is a valuable lesson for adults and children alike. In fact, even schools, churches, businesses, and food banks are benefiting from shares in CSA. Many farms also host regular member gatherings and potlucks to further encourage a sense of community.

Early spring is the perfect time to be thinking about CSA as most farm subscriptions run from late spring to late fall. Now that you have raised your awareness of CSA, it is possible that you may find one right around the corner.

Watch for more upcoming posts in this series on CSA.

Dena Smith Givens writes on behalf of NaturallySavvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.