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Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a mutual commitment between a nearby farmer and the people who eat the food that the farmer produces. The farm feeds the Community Supported Agriculture members; the members support the farm and share the inherent risks and potential bounty.

Community Supported Agriculture is a flexible model that is shaped by the resources, skills and ingenuity of those involved. Some CSAs market primarily to individual subscribers, while others target institutions such as schools, colleges, restaurants or church congregations. Congregation-based CSAs often include a social mission, such as a special tithe to cover the cost of shares for low-income households. Some CSAs engage shareholders in decisions about the farming operation, while others require nothing more of their members than a share payment. In response to consumer requests, more CSA farmers are partnering with others to offer members a wider range of products, such as fruit, cheese, milk, wine, meats, eggs and flowers.
cite: worldhungeryear.org

Resources

Robyn Van En Center for CSA Resources
A national listing of CSAs managed by the Robyn Van En Center in collaboration with USDA and other organizations. Find Community Supported Agriculture near you.

Community Supported Agriculture Learning Center
Non-profit resource center (501c3) that provides opportunities for diverse community members, prospective farmers, and CSA shareholders from the greater Chicago and Rockford areas. Great resource of information about CSAs.

NewFarm.org
Place to locate a farm in your area, place for farmers and businesses to match-make with each other. Adding restaurants, retail stores, institutional buyers and other food businesses interested in purchasing produce from local farmers soon.

USDA's Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
National state-by-state database of Community Supported Agriculture farms.

Community Supported Agriculture of North America at University of Massachusetts Extension

USDA's Alternative Farming Systems Information Center

USDA's Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)

University of Mass Extension

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Farmers' Markets

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The National Directory of Farmers' Markets. Farmers' markets organized by state. Provides contact information, dates and times of operation, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program status.

Cafe Creosote: Farmers' Markets by State
Search for Farmers' Markets by zip or area code.

Local Harvest Map
Search for farms, co-ops, and farmers' markets by name, state, zip code, products or associated organization.

Chef-2-Chef's US Farmers Market Directory by State
Search by market name or state. Listings are alphabetized and provide locations, dates and times, contacts, and WIC status.

Local & Regional Food Systems

FoodRoutes Network

The Humane Society of the United States

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Institute for Community Economics

Institute for Society, Ecology and Culture

Community, Market & Youth Gardens

American Community Garden Association
American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) - a national nonprofit membership organization of professionals, volunteers and supporters of community greening in urban and rural communities.

The USDA has appointed a Community Gardening Coordinator for every state.

City Farmer
Canadian Office of Urban Agriculture, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Just Food
Tip Sheets for details on the City Farms toolkit

National Gardening Association

The Food Project

University of Phoenix Cooperative Extension's school gardening conference

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