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The what-how-why of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Difference between revisions
The what-how-why of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) (view source)
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“<i>The farmer lives outside the city but sends weekly emails about life on the farm and hosts and open house each summer. Occasionally, he visits. He's also extremely responsive to members. And there is community at the distribution site in the form of members who come back year after year. I think that's the real secret of CSAs—the genuine, non-corporate ones—they blend first-rate produce with a way to feel connected. It's the exact opposite of ordering something on a website.</i>” | “<i>The farmer lives outside the city but sends weekly emails about life on the farm and hosts and open house each summer. Occasionally, he visits. He's also extremely responsive to members. And there is community at the distribution site in the form of members who come back year after year. I think that's the real secret of CSAs—the genuine, non-corporate ones—they blend first-rate produce with a way to feel connected. It's the exact opposite of ordering something on a website.</i>” | ||
== Is CSA reserved to specific social groups? == | |||
The FAO states that the movement tends to be driven by a specific socio-cultural group of young urban, well-educated, socially-conscious citizens. This does not come as a surprise as this social group is most generally privileged in terms of time outside of work hours. This time allow them therefore to educate themselves, participate in open forums, work in farms, shops or for their own CSA structure on a voluntary basis. However, FAO states that in countries where CSA is more established, we can see that the model is quickly spreading outside of cities and appealing to other, less elitist, social groups. | |||
A critic often also adressed to the CSA movement is the reliance on free labor of young, newly-gratuated youngsters, working in farms through the <i>wwoofing</i> network. Seemingly increasingly attractive to younger generations, the emergence of this new labor force seems to drive many farmers to now largely rely on free labor —thus creating a new alternative financial model based solely on volunteering. One could argue that the line between volunteering and exploitation is rather thin. To that end, CSA representative Urgenci stresses that cooperatives must put education at the center of their structures and put some effort in educating young people/workers to make them able to, either become farmers or create their own CSA. | |||
== Where does Community Supported Agriculture comes from? == | == Where does Community Supported Agriculture comes from? == | ||
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<b><u>Solidarity economics:</b></u> | <b><u>Solidarity economics:</b></u> | ||
*The idea and practice of "solidarity economics" emerged in Latin America in the mid-1980s and blossomed in the mid to late 90s. Growing dissatisfaction with the culture of the dominant market economy led groups of more economically privileged people to seek new ways of generating livelihoods and providing services. From largely a middle-class" counter-culture" | *The idea and practice of "solidarity economics" emerged in Latin America in the mid-1980s and blossomed in the mid to late 90s. Growing dissatisfaction with the culture of the dominant market economy led groups of more economically privileged people to seek new ways of generating livelihoods and providing services. From largely a middle-class" counter-culture" <li>similar to that in the Unites States since the 1960's<li>emerged projects such as consumer cooperatives, cooperative child care and people’s healthcare initiatives that are complementary to existing national health systems currently becoming eroded by the crisis, housing cooperatives, intentional communities, and eco-villages. There were often significant class and cultural differences between these two groups. Nevertheless, the initiatives they generated all shared a common set of operative values: cooperation, autonomy from centralised authorities, and participatory self-management by their members.</li> | ||
To this day, Ecuador 🇪🇨 and Bolivia 🇧🇴 have both included Solidarity Economy and Food sovereignty in their constitutions. | To this day, Ecuador 🇪🇨 and Bolivia 🇧🇴 have both included Solidarity Economy and Food sovereignty in their constitutions. | ||
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As way to unify these two movements in one term, sociologist Thomas Lyson coined the term “<b><u>Civic Agriculture</b></u>” in 1999 to describe “<i>the emergence and growth of community-based agriculture and food production activities that not only meet consumer demands for fresh, safe, and locally produced foods but create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen community identity</i>”. | As way to unify these two movements in one term, sociologist Thomas Lyson coined the term “<b><u>Civic Agriculture</b></u>” in 1999 to describe “<i>the emergence and growth of community-based agriculture and food production activities that not only meet consumer demands for fresh, safe, and locally produced foods but create jobs, encourage entrepreneurship, and strengthen community identity</i>”. | ||
== The question of land ownership | == The question of land ownership == | ||
In many countries, the key issue for young would-be CSA farmers is the difficulties that they face in terms of access to land. | In many countries, the key issue for young would-be CSA farmers is the difficulties that they face in terms of access to land. | ||
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<li>7. Switzerland: 60</li> | <li>7. Switzerland: 60</li> | ||
<li>8. Netherlands: 47</li> | <li>8. Netherlands: 47</li> | ||
<li>Estimated total number of CSA in EU: 4000 farms feeding 400,000 consumers</li> | |||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
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Note: In most cases, farmers rely on other distribution channels (i.e. farmer's markets, local organic shops, etc), employment in other farms, or subsidies. | Note: In most cases, farmers rely on other distribution channels (i.e. farmer's markets, local organic shops, etc), employment in other farms, or subsidies. | ||
<u><b>Average types of produce</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>Vegetables: 94% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Fruits: 58% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Eggs: 38% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Meat: 29% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Honey: 28% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Dairy: 26% of farms</li> | |||
<li>Bread: 25% of farms</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
Note: It is interesting to note that we can today find “Community Supported Beekeeping”, C“ommunity Supported Bakeries” and “Community Supported Fisheries”, which indicates that the model is not only restricted to conventional farms. | |||
== CSAs across the world == | == CSAs across the world == | ||
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<li><u>Québec:</u><i> Agriculture soutenue par la communauté (ASC)</i></li> | <li><u>Québec:</u><i> Agriculture soutenue par la communauté (ASC)</i></li> | ||
<li><u>Belgium:</u><i> Groupes d'achats solidaires de l'agriculture paysanne (GASAP)</i></li> | <li><u>Belgium:</u><i> Groupes d'achats solidaires de l'agriculture paysanne (GASAP)</i></li> | ||
<li> | <li><u>Enlgish speaking countries:</u><i> Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)</i></li> | ||
<li><u>Japan:</u><i> Teikei</i></li> | <li><u>Japan:</u><i> Teikei</i></li> | ||
<li><u>Portugal:</u><i> Reciproco</i></li> | <li><u>Portugal:</u><i> Reciproco</i></li> | ||
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</ul> | </ul> | ||
== Where to find a CSA | == Where to find a nearby CSA == | ||
As most CSA structures often want to stay independent from any institution or organisations, it is often rather tricky to find a nearby CSA, even if it is based only a few kilometers away from our home. To that end, we've listed below websites which try to map out as many CSAs per country as possible. Some of them might of course not appear on the lists but it is worth checking these websites to find one near you. | As most CSA structures often want to stay independent from any institution or organisations, it is often rather tricky to find a nearby CSA, even if it is based only a few kilometers away from our home. To that end, we've listed below websites which try to map out as many CSAs per country as possible. Some of them might of course not appear on the lists but it is worth checking these websites to find one near you. | ||
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<li>[https://www.faellesgro.dk/bliv-medlem-1/ Denmark (as close as we could get)]</li> | <li>[https://www.faellesgro.dk/bliv-medlem-1/ Denmark (as close as we could get)]</li> | ||
<li>[https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1LySgImg8tVgKoDBz5NtlnVXgsL0&ll=-17.058983733415534%2C-47.461619899999945&z=4/ Brazil]</li> | <li>[https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1LySgImg8tVgKoDBz5NtlnVXgsL0&ll=-17.058983733415534%2C-47.461619899999945&z=4/ Brazil]</li> | ||
</ul> | |||
== Annexe: creating a CSA, where to start?<ref>Taken from the [https://urgenci.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CSA4EUrope_Handbook.pdf/ European Handbook on Community Supported Agriculture]</ref>== | |||
<u><b>Where and how to find people to from a group of consumers?</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>If the CSA is farmer-led try approaching existing community groups and local environmental organisations. Try finding a partner such as a school or community centre.</li> | |||
<li>Hold a friendly public meeting to discuss the idea and get support</li> | |||
<li>Organise social meetings and discussions to de-velop a group of people and the idea.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Finding a willing farmer</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>Approach existing agricultural meetings or networks of farmers.</li> | |||
<li>Explain how your idea helps them, in farmers’ language eg in providing a more reliable market.</li> | |||
<li>Approach farmers who already sell directly to the public.</li> | |||
<li>Look for young or new farmers eg at agriculture colleges.</li> | |||
<li>Consider accepting an apprentice famer and getting regular support for them from an experienced farmer outside the CSA.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Drafting a plan</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>Find someone with skills to include everyone and get on with making clear decisions.</li> | |||
<li>Make a structure for the group. Allocate roles: finding land, holding community events/business, planning, etc.</li> | |||
<li>Identify each stakeholders’ needs. What does the farmer need? What do each of the cooperator hopes to find in the CSA?</li> | |||
<li>Draw up a statement about your values. Find values you can all agree to and ensure these values drive the plans.</li> | |||
<li>Research different CSA models, bring examples to the group, adapt your structure to existing ones.</li> | |||
<li>Set some objectives, goals and timeline.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Finding land</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>First be clear what you are trying to achieve and therefore what land you really need. (Is it important to be certified organic? Do you need to be near a town? Will you have animals?)</li> | |||
<li>Be inventive and persistent. There are CSAs on land owned by schools, local government, churches, railways, gardens, parks, universities and farms. There are CSAs on roofs, in car parks, on squatted land and there are CSAs that buy their own land.</li> | |||
<li>Some landowners do not trust new groups without experience. Start small and prove you are effective.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Roughly how much land do you need?</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>1 person land need is approximated to 120 to 150 square metres for vegetables for a year of consumption.</li> | |||
<li>1 person land need is approximated to 300 square metres for cereals for a year of consumption.</li> | |||
<li>1 person land need is approximated to hald an Hectare for meat meat for a year of consumption.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Find support</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>Find a volunteer who is keen on marketing.</li> | |||
<li>Spend money and time on publicity.</li> | |||
<li>Get out and talk to as many different groups as possible, not just your friends.</li> | |||
<li>Engage people who come forward. Talk to them, understand what they want and give them a welcome and a role immediately. Keep in touch with them regularly, even if they do not like coming to meetings.</li> | |||
<li>Keep motivation by organising practical small projects quickly, even if you don’t yet have a farm to work on – eg a tree planting day, a soup making day, a children’s experience day.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Possible ways to appeal to existing farmers</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>Consumers volunteer for days of farm work.</li> | |||
<li>Consumers help with marketing or distribution.</li> | |||
<li>Consumers pay in advance, eg pay in January for a whole year of food.</li> | |||
<li>Consumers rent land and employ farmers on a wage to grow food for them.</li> | |||
<li>Consumers take the risk of a poor harvest e.g. committing to taking a hundredth of the crop each, whether good or poor.</li> | |||
<li>Farmers allow consumers to influence pricing in exchange for some benefit.</li> | |||
<li>Consumers improve farmers employment conditions e.g. by providing sick pay, health insurance, or working on the farm so the farmer can go on holiday.</li> | |||
</ul> | |||
<u><b>Links:</u></b> | |||
<ul> | |||
<li>[https://urgenci.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CSA4EUrope_Handbook.pdf/ European Handbook on Community Supported Agriculture]</li> | |||
<li>[https://casfs.ucsc.edu/documents/Teaching%20Direct%20Marketing/4.5_CSA_crop_plan.pdf/ Crop planning tool]</li> | |||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||