| Title | Community Supported Agriculture is thriving in the Central Valley |
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| File Options | PDF | Additional Information |
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Repository View: https://ucanr.edu/repository/a/?a=94646 Direct to File: https://ucanr.edu/repository/a/?get=94646 |
| Abstract | Community Supported Agriculture operations (CSAs) have grown rapidly in recent years. The original model, in which members support a farming operation by paying for produce in advance and receive a share of the farm's produce in return, has been adapted, with much innovation. Since little research existed on CSAs in the Central Valley, we surveyed and carried out in-depth interviews with 54 CSA farmers and two CSA organizers in the Central Valley and surrounding foothills. Here we focus on four aspects of these CSA operations: type, economic viability, farmer characteristics and farm attributes. We found two main CSA models, box and membership/share. Fifty-four percent of the CSAs reported being profitable, and the average gross sales per acre were $9,084. CSA farmers are diverse in political orientation, yet are generally younger, better educated and more likely to be women than the general farming population. CSA farms are relatively small, with a median size of 20 acres; have a median membership of 60 (585 average); use agroecological methods; cultivate agrobiodiversity; and utilize growing practices that generally meet or exceed National Organic Program standards. |
| Authors |
Galt Dr, Ryan E.
Professor
Local and regional food systems, agroecology and sustainable food systems, direct marketing, social science of pesticides
O'Sullivan, Libby : L. O'Sullivan is Ph.D. Student, Geography Graduate Group, UC Davis
Beckett, Jessica : J. Beckett is M. Sc., Community Development, UC Davis
Hiner, Colleen C. : C.C. Hiner is Ph.D. Candidate, Geography Graduate Group, UC Davis.
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| Publication Date | Jan 1, 2012 |
| Date Added | Jun 13, 2012 |
| Copyright | © The Regents of the University of California |
| Copyright Year | 2012 |
| Description | The rapid growth of CSAs continues despite the economic downturn, and their gross sales per acre remain higher than most other types of farming. |
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