Exploring different CSA options

The concept of community supported agriculture (CSA) originated in the 1960s with Dr. Booker T. Whatley as a way to support local Black farmers. Called “clientele membership clubs” at the time, the basis of the model was an up-front payment to ensure farmers had the capital to start their season strong. In return, members would receive weekly allotments of food from the farm during the growing season.

Sound familiar? Today’s CSA models still often feature pre-season payments as a way to become a “member” of the farm. But over the past 40 years, CSA membership has expanded beyond a box of weekly food, with many farms now offering several types of CSA shares with more flexibility for their customers. 

Each farm has unique CSA offerings that appeal to different preferences and lifestyles, but we've broken down a few of the more common styles of CSA below:

1. Traditional CSA: The cornerstone of CSA, the traditional model involves members receiving a weekly or bi-weekly share of the farm's harvest - either picking up directly on the farm, or at a local pickup site coordinated by the farmer.

2. Market-Style CSA: For those who appreciate flexibility and choice, market-style CSA allows members to choose their items at a designated pick-up spot or farmers' market stand. "Shop" for your produce from what's available that week.

3. Customizable CSA: Farms offering customizable CSA options allow members to tailor their shares based on individual preferences. Don't like eggplant? Swap it out with a kohlrabi, so your box is always full of what you want to eat.

4. Worker Share CSA: For those seeking a more hands-on connection to their food, worker shares offer members the ability to contribute their time and labor on the farm in exchange for a share of the harvest.

And CSA isn't just for produce! While the CSA model started with members signing up to receive shares of vegetables and fruits grown on the farm, many farms now offer add-on shares (or entire CSA shares!) of other farm products. Meat, eggs, herbs, bread, flowers, value-added products, and so much more can be purchased in advance through your local farmer.

When you get locally grown food from a farmer you know, you get more than just delicious ingredients for your meals. CSA memberships offer a meaningful connection between consumers and their farmer neighbors.

To find a farm (and CSA share) that works for your needs, use our Farm Search Tool and filter by what you're looking for. Whichever type resonates with you, supporting local farmers through a CSA is both delicious and fulfilling!

Celebrating national apprenticeship week!

As the leader of the first registered apprenticeship for organic vegetable production in the country, we are excited to be celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, November 13 - 19, 2023!

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration where employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship.

We asked a few of our current apprentices and farmer educators what they value most about the program, and here's what they had to say:

What does apprenticeship mean to you?

• To me, apprenticeship means accessibility to learn and diversify skills from a knowledgeable and experienced teacher. Being able to learn while actively doing the trained skill everyday is beyond helpful in establishing rooted knowledge. - Laura Seleski, 2023 cohort at Gwenyn Hill Farm

• Apprenticeship means an opportunity to spread the amazing role of veggie growers to more folks! To teach is also to learn and the value of one’s own farm is only increased through opportunities like this. - Robyn Calvey, Farmer Educator at Park Ridge Organics

• To me, apprenticeship means hands-on learning in a positive and welcoming environment where I can ask all of my questions.

• This program is a unique opportunity to get experience at the manager level. Being formally partnered with an experienced farmer gives apprentices the confidence they need to forge ahead in this industry - especially during a time when many farms are going under. - Brian Randall, 2022 Cohort at Gwenyn Hill Farm

• Apprenticeship means an opportunity to teach and watch new farmers grow. It pushes me out of my comfort zone as an educator and I find that I’m learning too! - Laura Mortimore, Farmer Educator at Orange Cat Community Farm

FairShare's Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program provides paid hands-on training that benefits producers and apprentices alike. Through this 18-month, competency-based program, apprentices work with experienced farmers to develop their skills and learn the ins-and-outs of what it takes to run a successful farm business--from seeding and transplanting to sales, marketing, leadership, and so much more!

What began as a cohort of 3 in 2021 has grown into 20 active farmer-apprentice pairs in 2023! If you're interested in helping more future farmers get connected with this awesome resource, here are three ways to do so:

1. Share this blog post about the program! Tell folks why you're excited about supporting the future veggie growers in our communities.

2. Make a gift to FairShare! Your contribution ensures the next generation of farmers can get the tools and training they need to thrive.

3. Email Sarah (sarah@csacoalition.org) with questions or comments! We're always happy to talk about our work.

2023: a year in review

As we all start to cozy up for the holiday season and pick up our first winter share CSA boxes, I wanted to take some time to reflect on all that’s happened at FairShare in 2023!

I joined the organization in April of this year and hit the ground running, learning about all the awesome work FairShare is doing day-to-day to support small-scale organic diversified vegetable farmers across the Midwest.

One of the highlights of this year was continuing to provide a high level of cost assistance to our Partner Shares program participants. With food insecurity climbing 44% in the last two years, ensuring access to fresh, nutrient-dense food is more important than ever.

While we raised record funds to support Partner Shares during Bike the Barns - thanks to our awesome fundraiser riders and donors! - we continue to have a waiting list for people requesting assistance. In 2023, we were able to assist over 200 households in purchasing fresh veggies from a farmer in their community!

We also provided our network of farmers with a ton of direct support throughout the year. Our work with HMoob farmers to increase market access continued to evolve, and we hosted several farmer education field days in Wisconsin and Ohio. The apprenticeship and labor management training programs provided farmers with important leadership development and labor support.

And with our involvement in coordinating the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network - providing production, labor and sales support to farmers, along with peer-to-peer connection - and the CSA Innovation Network - a coalition of CSA organizations that form a national advocacy group for CSA - we collaborated with other partners to directly support farmers spanning the Midwest and across the country. We've been busy!

As we head into 2024, we are excited to continue working on some big initiatives at FairShare. Our staff and board will collaborate on revisiting our mission and vision and building out a new strategic plan to reflect all the amazing work we do. We are writing several new grant proposals and investing in our development program to support our work. And we’re working on building administrative systems on the back end to support our new size and scope. There’s no shortage of things to do, but it’s amazing what we can get done with our small and mighty team!

If you ever want to get in touch to learn more about what we do every day, I’m always up for connecting and hearing from you how we can best support local, small-scale vegetable farms. Keep warm and toasty this holiday season, and may your cheese boards be filled with an abundance of local delights!

~ Clare, clare@csacoalition.org