Community Supported Agriculture Concept Explained

Michael Ritchert, 40, a Geist Farmers Market Certified Organic Farmer.

“Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution,” according to Wikipedia.

I had no idea what CSA stood for few weeks ago. The CSA concept was not born yesterday. Although farming becomes more distanced from the life of the average American, people who take charge of their own health want to know where their food comes from and how much they can trust their health to a stranger-farmer. Our existence is in direct proportion to this country’s farming well being. Cute stickers on some farmers’ vehicles “No Farms – No Food” try to deliver this important message to urban people.

Noticeably more people are ready to recognize the need of sharing agricultural responsibilities with farmers. The idea of so-called “Alternative Farming” came to the U.S. from Europe in the mid-1980s. It all got started back in 1960s in Switzerland and Japan. Consumers had a deep interest in safe food, and farmers were interested in a stable market for their produce with a partnership of sharing risk as well.

CSA in its basic terms is a community of people who pledge support to a farm operation. Growers and consumers of produce share the benefits of food production as well as the risks of farming. Individuals (or families) participate monetarily in advance to cover the anticipated costs of a farm operation and/or a farmer’s salary. In return, during growing seasons they receive shares of produce from the farm. Members of CSA also express the satisfaction they gain by supporting local farmers, having an opportunity to reconnect to the land, and participating directly in food production.

CSAs operate on different arrangements: Some farms offer a single product, while others offer a diversity of seasonal produce. Some team up with other farms and offer a full spectrum of food such as eggs, meat, preserves, milk, baked goods and more.

Michael Ritchert, 40, a Geist Farmers Market Certified Organic Farmer, was introduced to that concept a few years ago by his Chicago friend, Daniel Phillips. Now partners, they are currently in their second year of CSA practice. Their first year brought them seven members; this year they have grown to twenty. The membership fee is $500 a year, and entitles members to one basket of fresh produce from the Richert/Phillips Farm for twenty weeks during the growing season.

Michael and Daniel encourage potential members of the Richert/Phillips Farm CSA to ask lots of questions. “It’s important to have realistic expectations," Michael explained. "If customers are not used to eating fresh produce daily, they might end up with wasted food. At the same time, those who are used to eating seasonally should not expect all of their produce to come from CSA.”

Michael said that he always discusses in detail what the weekly basket might contain and makes sure their CSA members understand the policy completely.

Although members are not yet involved in the process of growing and picking produce, it might be considered as a future option if enough people express interest.

For more information on CSAs, stop by the Richert/Phillips Farm booth at the Geist Farmers Market, located at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8115 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis (open every Thursday from 2:30-6:30 p.m.).