Market Farming

["Cherry Tree Farms" <ctfarms AT helicon.net>]

Some thoughts:

        CSA's are just that:  Community Supported Agriculture, however one
can get the community support.  Some to all the [seed] money is received up
front in return for the subscription.  Many direct sale large-variety
vegetable farms are organic, so many of the CSA's that are part of a
large-variety vegetable farm marketing strategy end up with organic produce
in the boxes.  The field is by no means exclusive to organic growers any
more than producer-only farmers markets are.

        The biggest advantage to the farmer for CSA's is some or all the
payment at the beginning of the season along with a guaranteed market at
harvest.  For the subscribers, a trip to the farm (for those doing at-farm
pickup) is a big plus, especially city folk who have lost the ag connection.
Some folks find importance in organic produce and will seek out organic
farms to get it.  Some folks like not having to "shop," its there for them
already.  And some think of each week as a gift basket.  Certified organic
or not, all enjoy the freshness;  Picked that morning just isn't available
at a supermarket.  This is where the small farmer draws his sale, even among
certified organic; freshness ranks near if not at the top of the list.

        Then there is the question of farm products that have essentially
been regulated outside the certified organic arena.  If any one is
interested, ask and I can expound a little.

        Allen is correct in the advantages of a CSA over industrial Ag, they
are the same advantages found in the farmers market system; with the
exception of
            "encourages proper land stewardship by supporting farmers in
transition toward low or no chemical inputs"
Proper land stewardship is indeed supported on a sustainable farm.  Whether
that means the above method is a decision for the individual farm.

        Allen's over-the-top reply to Mark is one of the reasons Organic
Agriculture has remained on the fringes of the agricultural groups.  Organic
farmers are often not invited to join ag policy discussions because of such
outbursts and characterizations.  And consumers turn away because they want
good food and not have to witness a fight to get it.

        For those of you who have stuck through this far and figure I am
anti-organic, please note that because of my commitment to organic methods I
am a past president of our local Organic Crop Improvement Assc (OCIA)
chapter and was a delegate to the OCIA AGMM in 2001.  The biggest barrier I
have yet to overcome is trying to enlist the cooperation of county and state
ag officials who have all turned a deaf ear to issues raised by organic
farmers because of statements like Allen's comments to Mark.  They see no
need to try and work with such negative and divisive manners, therefore only
industrial ag folks get invited to the table for input.

        Mark, any way the CSA works for you, go for it.  Getting people out
of the 'supermarket only' mindset is the first hurdle.

This along with 50 cents will get you a very cheap cup of coffee,

Doyle Freeman
Cherry Tree Farms






   ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allan Balliett" <igg AT igg.com>
To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 10, 2005 5:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Community Supported Agriculture "CSA"


> Pat - Please do us all a favor and push for "Local and Organic."
> Without local people insisting on organic produce, it's very hard for
> a local person to make the transition. "Local is Enough" movement
> really cuts the legs out from under the spread of organic agriculture
> to ALL communities. REMEMBER: most of the governments of the world
> offer some sort of financial incentives for farmers to transition to
> environmental and resource-friendly organic management.
>
> My apololgies to Mark for my too loud reply earlier. I don't agree
> with it, of course, but here's the 'definition' of CSA from the Robyn
> Van En CSA Center page:
>
> CSA is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local
> farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership
> fee to cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members
> receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing
> season. The arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and
> enables many small- to moderate-scale organic family farms to remain
> in business. Ultimately, CSA creates "agriculture-supported
> communities" where members receive a wide variety of foods harvested
> at their peak of ripeness, flavor and vitamin and mineral content.
>
>   As Wendell Berry identifies, "how we eat determines to a
> considerable extent how the world is used." With this in mind, it is
> important to remember that the goals of CSA support a sustainable
> agriculture system which . . .
>
>    provides farmers with direct outlets for farm products and ensures
> fair compensation
>
>    encourages proper land stewardship by supporting farmers in
> transition toward low or no chemical inputs
>
>    strengthens local economies by keeping food dollars in local
communities
>
>    directly links producers with consumers allowing people to have a
> personal connection with their food and the land on which it was
> produced
>
>    makes nutritious, affordable, wholesome foods accessible and widely
> available to community members.
>
>   There are many kinds of CSA. All include payment in advance at an
> agreed upon price. In some, members of the community purchase a
> "share" of the anticipated harvest, while in others they sign up for
> a predetermined amount of produce over the course of the season. In
> most cases, this commitment implies a willingness to share with the
> farmer both the bounty from the land and at least some of the risks
> involved with production.
>
>   In return for fair and guaranteed compensation, consumers receive a
> variety of freshly picked, (usually organic) vegetables grown and
> distributed in an economically viable and ecologically responsible
> manner. Some farms also offer fruit, herbs, flowers and other
> products. In this way, farmers and members become partners in the
> production, distribution and consumption of locally grown food.
>
>   One fact also to consider, organic food produced with local
> communities is not the same as organic food transported over long
> distances. When members obtain food from local farmers, environmental
> costs associated with the transport, processing and distribution of
> organic food and the consumption of fossil fuels are significantly
> reduced. Considering that the organic food available to members was
> produced locally rather than transported over long distances, the
> cost to the environment is significantly less.
>
> -Allan
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