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Community
Supported Agriculture
Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an innovative cooperative partnership
between producers/farmers and consumers. CSAs act to stabilize
small- and mid-sized farms, reconnect consumers with their
local agricultural base, promote sustainable agricultural
practices and land stewardship, strengthen local economies
and regional food systems, and promote local community food
security.
Central
to Community Supported Agriculture is the concept of sharing
the risk and rewards of food production. Though there are
many variations on the theme, typically consumers are shareholders
who "invest" each year in a farmers' production by purchasing
"shares" of the seasonal harvest. Shares represent a financial
commitment to support the farm and cover the operating expenses
of the farm (i.e. seeds, soil preparation, equipment, water,
rent on land, labor costs, etc.), in exchange for a portion
("harvest share") of the seasonal produce. The arrangement
assures small and mid-sized farmers a guaranteed market for
their produce, thus reducing the risk of loss in a poor growing
season. The arrangement also directly connects consumers with
the source of their food and provides them with a weekly supply
of fresh, locally-grown (often organic) produce.
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