If you haven’t already, join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm today and eat locally-grown, healthy, seasonal food, purchased from a farm right in your neighborhood. “The CSA concept which reconnects producers with consumers and empowers members to ‘vote with their dollars’ for ecologically sound local agriculture.”(Garnham, 2009) Sustainable farms and ranches provide obvious and not so obvious benefits to communities and society at large. My perception of CSA’s provides social and economic backbone of many rural communities and by pledging support this equals a win situation for farmers and consumers in supporting a sustainable economy.
We ought to know where our food comes from and feel connected to the land. CSA creates a direct connection between the people who will be eating the food and the people who are growing it. Many consumers are still pursuing convenience, large quantity, without enjoying a healthy meal and should be forced to reevaluate choices and find new ways to buy food in an affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly manner.
LocalHarvest.org states with over “140 farms in Maine and 6,200 CSA” shares it is even more important to continue to support local food and agriculture. To find farmer’s markets, CSA’s and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area LocalHarvest.org makes it simple!
What I find interesting is that each CSA is unique; they have each succeeded by thoughtfully adapting their growing methods and crops to their own specific region, farm, and markets. While not all CSA farms are certified organic, but many are and all of the farmers are thinking outside the box and forgoing the standard commodity of chemical agriculture systems.
Participating in a CSA benefits my family because we are eager in educating ourselves about local Maine agriculture and keeping food dollars close to home in supporting local food production. Additional benefits vary however some of the CSA farms in Maine encourages visitors to take advantage of onsite activities during their harvest season including barn and field tours, nature trails, viewing farm animals, farm raised products and demonstrations.
References
Garnham, P. (2009). Community Supported Agriculture. Horticulture. Vol. 107 Issue 1, p14. 1p. Retrieved
Database: Academic Search Premier
www.localharvest.org
1 comment:
Growing locally and selling locally is a great idea. Putting money into local companies will create better quality of food. Corporations are drunk off of profit and have sacrificed quality for money. This has led to corn syrup in most products, along with unhealthy preservatives. Local farmers are known for having healthier food and their money goes back into the community instead of a corporate account.
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