You have likely heard the word “CSA” thrown around, especially if you are a farmer’s market and farm stand regular, but what exactly is it? And why should you join one? 

CSA is an acronym for Community Supported Agriculture, and the US Department of Agriculture defines it as 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. 

In most CSA models, 

• Individuals buy a “share” of the farm’s production before each growing season. (hence, the name Shareholders) 
• Shareholders share the risks and benefits of food production with the farmer.
• In return, they receive regular distributions of the farm’s bounty throughout the season.
• The farmer receives advanced working capital, gains financial security, earns better crop prices, and benefits from the direct marketing plan.

 

How does it work? 

Essentially, you provide an upfront investment in the farm’s harvest season. In exchange, you’ll receive either a boxed allotment of produce or a market-style shopping experience, where you can make your selection of what is available each week. So, depending on the farm and the season, CSA Shareholders enjoy seasonal, fresh produce right out of the fields!

What’s the purpose? 

Supporting your local farmers can be done in many ways, from volunteering and shopping at their farm stand to visiting farmers’ markets often. Upfront capital is the main difference between shopping at the Farmer’s Market or Farm Stand and joining a CSA. These funds help forecast volume, purchase supplies, and respond to the flux in labor demand that comes with variable weather. 

For example, here at Oxbow, there are days we need all hands on deck for intensive harvests before a heat wave, freeze, or flood, and being able to tap into more funds as needed helps us budget and support the entire season. CSA Shareholders directly support everything required for the growing season, from seeds to labor, and their contributions are essential during times of uncertainty and unpredictability.

 

Beyond the box:

CSA programs go so much deeper than just an exchange of goods. They form a connection directly between the soil, the farmers, and the shareholders, allowing all of us to forge a deeper bond with our local food systems. For us, having a robust community of CSA Shareholders means we can grow better crops while providing our Farm Crew the stability, sustainability, and support they need to perform their work.

While for CSA shareholders is an opportunity to invest in local farms, produce, and people, enjoy the organic fresh benefits of seasonal harvests and discover a variety of fruits, veggies, and flavors. At Oxbow, we offer our shareholders the perk of having access to our U-Pick fields, from herbs and berries to flower bouquets, and this, in turn, allows them to spend time directly on the fields, side by side with the farmers who grow their food. 

Becoming a CSA shareholders is an opportunity to invest in local farms, discover a variety of seasonal organic flavors, and connect with people. On top of that, at Oxbow, we offer our shareholders the perk of having access to our U-Pick fields, including herbs, berries, and flower bouquets! This in turn allows them to spend time directly on the fields, side by side with the farmers who grow their food. 

 

“When you become a CSA Shareholder at Oxbow, you are joining our farming community. You are putting your dollars towards a local, robust, and resilient food system. You are supporting our efforts to be a farm that is nimble in the face of a changing climate. You are providing us with financial support to keep a crew of talented people employed year-round. You are supporting Oxbow’s mission to grow food in a sustainable manner for years to come. 
 
To be a Shareholder at Oxbow is to be welcomed into our fields and connect with where your food comes from. It is to know the land that feeds you and to know the names and faces of the people who harvest your food. To be a shareholder is to be let in on the secret that is cutting flowers under the warmth of the summer sun, and the magic of eating a raspberry fresh from the cane.” 

–  Oxbow Farm Team.
 

We believe that true Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is about the connections we make—to the soil, the farmers, and a community of friends and neighbors who care about where and how their food is grown.

We invite you to get to know your food and farmers and become part of Oxbow’s CSA community! Learn more >>