Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Longhaul Organic Farm is pleased to provide a Community Supported Agriculture program as a means of establishing a healthy relationship with our community members while providing farm-fresh organic produce throughout the growing season. Please read the below information, and contact us with questions or inquiries about our CSA program.

What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a relatively new idea in farming based on a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members. CSA brings together community members, farmers and agricultural land in a way that benefits both the individual community members and the small farmer, while contributing to the local economy and the overall health of the local farm land.

How does it work?

Community members buy a share — or an annual membership fee — at the beginning of the growing season which helps cover the production costs of the farm. In return, this “shareholding” community member receives a weekly share of the harvest throughout the duration of the growing season. This weekly share consists of a variety of available “in-season” produce, which is typically enough for a couple or family of four for that week, depending on the size of the share purchased (half-shares are available as well).

The arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and enables many small- to moderate-scale organic family farms to remain in business. Ultimately, CSA creates “agriculture-supported communities” where members receive a wide variety of foods harvested at their peak of ripeness, flavor and vitamin and mineral content.

Why Community Supported Agriculture?

As Wendell Berry writes, “How we eat determines to a considerable extent how the world is used.” CSA encourages a sustainable local agriculture system which provides the following benefits:

  • provides farmers with direct outlets for farm products and ensures fair compensation
  • encourages proper land stewardship by supporting farmers in transition toward low or no chemical inputs
  • strengthens local economies by keeping food dollars in local communities
  • directly links producers with consumers allowing people to have a personal connection with their food and the land on which it was produced
  • makes nutritious, affordable, wholesome foods accessible and widely available to community members.