Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a new idea in farming,
one that has been gaining momentum since its introduction
to the United States from Europe in the mid-1980s. The CSA
concept originated in the 1960s in Switzerland and Japan,
where consumers interested in safe food and farmers seeking
stable markets for their crops joined together in economic
partnerships. Today, CSA farms in the U.S., known as CSAs,
currently number in the hundreds.
In basic terms, CSA consists of a community of individuals
who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland
becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm,
with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and
sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically,
members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden
pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm
operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares
in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well
as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating
directly in food production. Members also share in the risks
of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather
or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided
the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive
better prices for their crops, gain some financial security,
and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.
Although CSAs take many forms, all have at their center a
shared commitment to building a more local and equitable agricultural
system, one that allows growers to focus on land stewardship
and still maintain productive and profitable small farms.
As stated by Robyn Van En [1948-1997],
a leading CSA advocate, "...the main goal...of these
community supported projects is to develop participating farms
to their highest ecologic potential and to develop a network
that will encourage and allow other farms to become involved."
(2) CSA farmers
typically use organic or biodynamic farming methods, and strive
to provide fresh, high-quality foods. More people participate
in the farming operation than on conventional farms, and some
projects encourage members to work on the farm in exchange
for a portion of the membership costs.
Most CSAs offer a diversity of vegetables, fruits, and herbs
in season; some provide a full array of farm produce, including
shares in eggs, meat, milk, baked goods, and even firewood.
Some farms offer a single commodity, or team up with others
so that members receive goods on a more nearly year-round
basis. Some are dedicated to serving particular community
needs, such as helping to enfranchise homeless persons. Each
CSA is structured to meet the needs of the participants, so
many variations exist, including the level of financial commitment
and active participation by the shareholders; financing, land
ownership, and legal form of the farm operation; and details
of payment plans and food distribution systems.
For more information about CSAs:
Biodynamic Farming and Gardening
Association: http://www.biodynamics.com/csa.html
Alternative Farming Systems Information Center:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/
We are fortunate to have many CSAs operating in the western
part of New Hampshire! Here are a few farms that you
might want to consider:
Pitcher
Mountain CSA
Jill Fish
PO Box 726
Stoddard, NH 03464
phone: (603)446-7094
email: stonhold@aol.com
Website: pmcsa.org
Tracie's Community Farm, LLC
Tracie Smith
72 Jaffery Road
Fitzwilliam, NH 03447
phone: (603)847-9066
Email: farmertracie@hotmail.com
Website: traciesfarm.com
We grow, wash, pack and deliver weekly baskets of vegetables,
herbs and other local goods to your door throughout the Monadnock region, or you can
pick up at the farm for a discount. The season begins the 3rd week in June and goes
through the 1st week in October (17 weeks). We use earth friendly practices,
including amending the soil with compost, crop rotation, cover crops, and no
chemical pesticides or herbicides. The farm fed 280 families in the 2009 season
and is aiming for the same in 2010.
If you'd like more details, please visit our
website or call for a brochure. We also have an onsite farmstand where you can
purchase vegetable, herb and flower transplants for your own garden. We have offerings
October-April as well including storage goods and greens.
Chauncey Farm
Matthew and Diane Chauncey
3 Old Concord Road
Antrim, NH 03440
phone: (603)588-2857
Email: farming@gsinet.net
Website: chaunceyfarm.com
We are a family owned and operated vegetable
farm located in Antrim, New Hampshire. Since 1987, we have
been dedicated to providing the Monadnock Region with the
highest quality produce and ornamentals.
Chauncey Farm is also a regional dealer for many vegetable
equipment manufacturers. We sell grower's supplies, agricultural
plastic, irrigation systems and irrigation supplies. Please
visit the "Equipment" and "Supplies" pages on our website
to view our catalog on-line. Our website has many interesting
pages, pictures and information about our business, what we
grow and sell how we have evolved as a farm.
We are a happy to serve our customers and always strive to
provide the best, whether it be the BIGGEST, juiciest tomatoes
or the perfect jack-o-lantern pumpkin.
Chauncey Farm has two locations. Our original Antrim stand
is located at 3 Old Concord Road, just off of state Route
202 in Antrim, New Hampshire. Our second stand, opened in
2006, is the former Edgewater Farmstand in Hillsborough.
Our farmstands are open seven days a week from 10:00 am to
6:00 pm, July-October.
Long Trail Acres Farm
David Booth & Kathy McCalsky
22 Mattheson Road
Antrim, NH 03440
Phone: 603-588-2573
email: info@longtrailacres.com
Website: http://longtrailacres.com
Monadnock area; Antrim, Hillsboro, Deering,
Bennington, Henniker, Peterborough, Lyndboro, Greenfield.
Utilizing sustainable, organic agricultural practices.
Stoneridge Farm
Doug & Carol Troy
330 Cressy Road
Bradford, NH
phone:(603) 938-6186
Certified Organic Produce, fruits, herbs,
flowers and crafts. Farmstand open to the public Wednesday-Sunday
10-5.
The Educational Farm at Joppa Hill
Carol Whitson
174 Joppa Hill Road
Bedford, NH 03110
Phone 1: (603) 472-4724
Phone 2: (6030 487-9943 home
Email: info@theeducationalfarm.org
Website: www.theeducationalfarm.org
Serving Bedford, Amherst, New Boston,
Goffstown, Manchester, and others. This farm has CSA memberships,
but also sells responsibly raised meats.
Cold Pond Community Farm and Land Trust
Steve or Barbara Davis
Box 95
Cold Pond Road
Acworth, NH 03601
Phone: (603) 835-2403
Email: CPCLT1@email.com
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