1. Community Supported Agriculture Gary K. England Regional Specialized Extension Agent/ Commercial Horticulture Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Sumter Counties

2. Community Supported Agriculture What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)? Why consume locally grown produce? Types of CSAs Personal Experience Sources of Information Summary/Questions

3. What is Community Supported Agriculture? According to the book “Sharing the Harvest” by Elizabeth Henderson with Robyn Van En, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is “a connection between a nearby farmer and the people who eat the food that the farmer produces”

4. CSA Farmer shares risk with consumers Consumer connects with food supplier Seasonal fresh produce Community shared agriculture Scott Matthieson, (Laguna Farm Santa Rosa, CA)

6. Why Consume Locally Grown Produce? COOL (Florida since 1979) Between 1980-2001 (Roxanne Clemmons MATRIC) a. imported fresh fruits increased 155% b. imported fresh vegetables inc. 265% Nutritional Value Helps farm and local economy Ten Reasons

7. Ten Reasons to Consume Locally Grown Produce Tastes and looks better (Harvested @ peak) Fresher Genetic diversity (Cultivars) Safer Supports local families/economy Growing for Market Newsletter – Univ. of Vermont

8. Ten Reasons to Consume Locally Grown Produce cont. Builds community Preserves open space Keeps taxes down vs. development Benefits environment/wildlife Invest in the future Growing for Market Newsletter – Univ. of Vermont

9. Types of CSAs Financial -Pay all or significant amount up front -Pay with each weekly share -Work in the field to pay a portion of share

10. Types of CSAs Management -Farm/farmer managed -Board of Directors (Farmer/Consumers)

11. Types of CSAs Production methods -Conventional -Bio Friendly etc. -Certified Organic

12. Types of CSAs Receiving weekly share -Home/Office delivery -Pick up at central location -Pick up at farm

13. Types of CSAs Other marketing outlets -Farmers’ Markets

14. Types of CSAs Other marketing outlets -Restaurants

15. Types of CSAs Other marketing outlets -Farm Stands

16. My Experience

17. SCOTT’S PRODUCE CLUB STARTING UP MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF ALTERNATIVE MARKETING PROGRAMS

18. Produce Club Overview Bio-Friendly Agricultural Production About 10 acres of land Harvest mid-October to mid-June 100 members (goal of 1000) Basket pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday Membership fee $75 per year Weekly Basket Cost $20/$12

19. From Field to Consumer on Tuesday Morning

20. Large Share (example) 1 lb. spring mix (mixed lettuces) 1 bunch of carrots 1 bunch of beets 3 knob onions 1 bunch of kale or other green 1 head of Chinese cabbage 3 bell peppers 1 head of green leaf or bib lettuce 1 head of broccoli 1 bunch of radishes 1 head of radicchio Cherry tomatoes Small Share 1 lb. spring mix 1 bunch of carrots 2 bell peppers 1 head of broccoli 1 head green leaf or bib lettuce 1-bunch radishes Cherry tomatoes Weekly Share

21. Promotion Media outlets Word of mouth School programs Eco-tourism

22. Resources Web IFAS http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu Worden Farm http://www.wordenfarm.com/ Sweetwater CSA http://www.sweetwater-organic.org/index.html

23. Resources Web cont. Plowshares CSA http://www.plowsharescsa.org/ Monroe Organic Farm http://www.monroefarm.com/ Laguna Farm http://www.lagunafarm.com/

24. Resources Web cont. Southern Sustainable Ag Working Group http://www.ssawg.org/ Attra http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/csa.html UC Davis Small Farm Center http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu

25. Resources Book “Sharing the Harvest” by Elizabeth Henderson with Robyn Van En

26. Additional Information For more information visit the Small Farms web at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.eduhttp://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu Take a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu http://vfd.ifas.ufl.edu This presentation brought to you by the Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.

27. Questions?