Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. CSA helps to establish a sense of community and encourages land stewardship. CSA encourages communication and cooperation among farmers as well as supporting the bio-diversity of a given area and the diversity of agriculture through the preservation of small farms producing a wide variety of crops.

A CSA is a mutually beneficial relationship in which a farm supports the community's needs for fresh, nutritious, wholesome food, and community support allows a farmer to devote his/her energies to gentle, conscientious and sustainable farming practices.

Members of a CSA share both the harvests and costs equally with other members and the farmers. The community of members pledges to support the farm with an annual financial commitment. The amount of the commitment is determined by a detailed budget which is created to suit the needs of the community.

Each CSA has a dedicated core group which has been meeting for over a year to bring the project into existence. The core group includes interested community members, the farmer/gardeners, and the owners. Cooperatively they organize and make decisions about distribution, finances, outreach and events.

No farm work is required of the shareholders/members, although they are encouraged to visit the farm, explore the gardens, have picnics, or volunteer as often as they wish. Harvest and volunteer parties will be held when extra hands are needed.

What can I expect to receive as a member?

Month	Tasks
August	Detailed budget and crop plan completed
September	Garden beds prepared, cover crops sown
October	Building of greenhouse begins, begin installing irrigation system, open house for members, composting
November	Continue with greenhouses and irrigation system, composting, open house for members
December	Construction of packing shed, place seed orders
January	Purchase remaining necessary tools and materials, construct trellises
February	Sow early seeds in greenhouses
March	Sow seeds, care for seedlings and plants
April	Sow seeds, care for seedlings and plants
May	Begin harvesting and distribution to members
June - August	Harvesting Crop and Planning for the next year

This chart indicates possible types of crops and quantities
a shareholder/member can expect in a season
Note: these are suggested only and
may vary with each CSA arrangement

	Full Share Qty.	May	June	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov
Broccoli	15 lbs.		x				x	x
Cabbage (Red, Green & Savoy)	30 lbs.		x	x			x	x
Bok Choi	2 lbs.						x
Cauliflower	6 heads						x	x
Sweet Corn	12 dozen			x	x	x
Kohrabi	4 lbs.		x			x	x
Beets	10 lbs.	x	x	x		x	x	x
Radishes	10 bunches	x	x		x	x	x
Collards	6 bunches		x				x	x
Kale	10 bunches						x	x
Spinach	8 bunches						x	x
Daikon Radish	4			x	x	x
Swiss Chard	6 bunches			x	x	x
Endive	6 heads	x					x	x
Radicchio	4 heads		x				x
Arugula	8 bunches		x		x	x	x
Mustard	30 leaves		x				x	x
Peas (Snow & Snap)	15 lbs.		x
Lettuce (head & Leaf)	50		x	x	x	x	x	x
Parsley	10 bunches	x	x	x
Carrots	10 lbs.			x	x	x	x
Scallions	12 bunches	x	x	x		x	x	x
Cucumbers	20 lbs.			x	x	x
Eggplant	6 lbs.				x	x
Okra	2 lbs.			x	x
Celery	3 bunches			x	x	x
Snap beans	5 lbs.			x	x
Melons	8			x	x	x
Peppers, sweet	8 lbs.			x	x	x
Peppers, hot	1 lb.			x	x
Potatoes	150 lb.				x	x	x
Pumpkins	15 lbs.					x	x
Squash, winter	20 lbs.					x	x
Squash, summer	20 lbs.		x	x	x
Tomatoes	50 lbs.			x	x	x
Globe Artichoke	2 lbs.				x	x
Mixed herbs	25 bunches	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
Fresh flowers	pick your own	x	x	x	x	x	x	x
	Full Share Qty.	May	June	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov

Share prices vary from region to region but are typically
between $200.00 to $400.00 Cdn per share
and could involve more than one farm in a region.

If you have a CSA and would like to list it here just e-Mail tdc's FarmGate with a short description of your CSA, the location and an e-mail contact address.