Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA)

Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA)
October 28, 2008                  

SMECO Auditorium, 7 pm
15045 Burnt Store Road
Hughesville, MD 20637

Fall SMADC Workshop Series

Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA)

As buying local becomes an increasingly popular trend throughout the country, a new market is beginning to open for farmers. Starting a program called a Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA) is an exciting way to reach this growing market. The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission is sponsoring a free workshop to help farmers learn how to start and manage a CSA.

Customers who participate in a CSA pay the farm up front for the season and in return receive a box of fruits and/or vegetables once a week. When buying a share of the CSA the buyer is making a commitment to support the farmer regardless of the season's growing conditions. The farm commits to packing the best of their harvest for these retail customers.

On October 28, 2008 local farmer Brett Grohsgal of Even' Star Organic Farm will give a lecture geared towards farmers interested in starting a CSA. Grohsgal's farm was originally whole-sale driven. When asked about the change from whole-sale to CSA farming Grohsgal said "Our CSA has radically changed our farm business prospects. We've gone from living hand to mouth, suffering through wholesale produce price fluctuations, to setting and getting retail prices ourselves. Our CSA customers have made us substantially more liquid and profitable". Currently in it's fifth year as a CSA farm, Even' Star is one of the largest CSAs in the state of Maryland with 286 summer subscribers and 200 winter.

Cynthia Chan, a local subscriber to the Even' Star CSA, describes the consumer benefits of the CSA. "For our family we know where our food is coming from. We know this farmer personally, having met him through the CSA. We know our food is local, we're supporting our local economy, and we're being responsible in our environment. It also allows us to try things that we might not have otherwise tried, as well as different varieties of foods. Who knew there were so many varieties of tomatoes?" Chan expressed her excitement at the prospect of more CSAs starting in the area. "Different farmers grow different things, with more variety we could belong to more than one CSA."

The workshop will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday October 28, 2008 in the SMECO Auditorium located at 15045 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville, Maryland. For more information please contact SMADC at (301) 274-1922 or email to: info@somarylandsogood.com In case of cancellation due to inclement weather call (301) 274-1922 and enter 29 to hear a recording. For more information on related programs visit our website: www.somarylandsogood.com.

CALENDAR LISTING:

October 28, 2008, at 7 p.m. SMADC Community Subscription Agriculture (CSA) Free Workshop: Interested in starting a ‘CSA'? Learn how from local farmer Brett Grohsgal of Even' Star Organic Farm who currently has 286 subscribers. To be held at SMECO Auditorium, 15045 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville, MD 20637. To RSVP or for more information contact SMADC at 301-274-1922 or email to: info@somarylandsogood.com In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, please call 301-274-1922 and enter 29 to hear a recording.