Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:32:29 -0400
From: Debbie Roos
Subject: register now for CSA workshops
Are you a farmer looking to explore new markets and increase your income?
Do you wish to expand your customer base, and/or strengthen your relationships with your existing customers?
Ever wish you could entice more people to try new crops or, better yet, learn about exciting new veggies to try?
Do you enjoy talking about what goes on at your farm and educating others about your role in the local food economy?
Would you like to improve your cash flow?
Then perhaps it is time you explored the world of Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA.
CSA is a marketing model that allows customers to pre-purchase a share of the farm’s harvest for the season. Members receive a weekly box of produce (the share may include other farm products such as flowers, meats, eggs, fruits, etc., depending on the farm). Most CSA farms enjoy a stronger relationship with their customers because they are adding value to their farm products through recipes, newsletters, farm tours, etc. While this model is not suitable for all farms, it can be a great strategy for diversified farmers with enough experience to produce consistent, high quality crops throughout the season. Just think of how a rainy day can cut into farmers’ market sales…but your CSA shares are pre-sold and so sales are not speculative.
Farms that do not produce enough on their own to operate their own CSA may be able to join forces with another farm. Several CSAs in North Carolina are multi-farm CSAs.
If you want to learn more about the CSA model, I have two workshops coming up next month.
The first one on October 5 will be an introductory workshop for those who want to learn more about the CSA concept and determine if it will fit with their goals and skill set. I will teach this workshop along with a fantastic panel of local CSA farmers. Each of these farmers takes a unique approach to CSA. Registration deadline is October 1!
For the second workshop on October 20 I am bringing in Elizabeth Henderson from Peacework Organic Farm in New York. Elizabeth is a nationally known activist and author of the book “Sharing the Harvest: a Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture”. This all-day workshop will allow us to go into detail about running an effective CSA from someone with many years of experience. Registration deadline is October 12!
You can get all the details on both of these workshops on Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/workshops.html
For more details on CSA, including a list of CSA farms in NC, visit the Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/csa.html
Space is limited so register early!
Debbie
Debbie Roos
Agricultural Extension Agent
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension
919.542.8202