Friday, January 8, 2010

Community Supported Agriculture Informational Meeting


A meeting on developing a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm was held at the Moore County Cooperative Extension Office on Tuesday, January 5. A CSA farm is a farm operation where a farmer (or group of farmers) delivers a weekly box of produce to members of a subscriber group. There are currently over 80 CSAs in North Carolina, a rapid increase in numbers in recent years, as interest on the part of consumers grows. The gathering on Tuesday exceeded expectations, with more than 60 people attending from several surrounding counties, including Moore, Richmond, Randolph, Robeson and Hoke. Presenters included Jon Parsons, Director of Sustainable Sandhills, Judy Lesslor, a Chatham County farmer with a CSA, and horticulture agents Taylor Williams and Paige Burns. Jon Parsons presented data from a survey conducted by Sustainable Sandhills which sought information on the level of interest of SS members in participating in a CSA. With over 600 responses, nearly all expressed an interest in participating in or learning more about a CSA. However, there are no CSAs currently in the Sandhills region, which opens up exciting opportunities for local growers if they can learn how to successfully operate a CSA.

Other speakers worked to provide information on just that. Judy Lesslor, who farms organically and has had a CSA for 8 years at her historical Harland's Creek Farm near Pittsboro, shared valuable insights and tips that have been keys to her own success. Taylor Williams, horticulture agent for Moore County, gave detailed information on scheduling, planting, and harvesting produce for weekly delivery. Paige Burns, horticulture agent for Richmond County, discussed how to reach new customers, as well as keeping existing customers engaged, with a diversity of on line marketing sites and formats. Finally, Jan Leitschuh, with the up-and-coming Sandhills Farm 2 Table Cooperative, discussed the new operation and how it could serve farmers who weren't quite ready to take on their own CSAs just yet.

It was an exciting afternoon for all, attendees and presenters alike, because of the opportunities and benefits CSAs offers both farmer and consumer. All attendees took home a packet of information, including a CD with a planting planning program (say that 5 times quickly) designed specifically for CSAs. Hopefully, this workshop will help bring even more locally grown food to the Sandhills soon!