Maku Furniture EcoShop

Community Supported Agriculture

 Had a great dinner last night with Ricardo and Anna of Vapor Studios as the meal was served we started talking about Community Supported Agriculture and some of the organic fruits and veggies that were included in dishes we ate.  

CSA was first started in New England during the mid 80's as a way of supporting social and ecological responsibility in the local communities.  25 years later there are more than 3000 CSA's Farms across the country.  The majority of which are Organic!  There are some very cool advantages of owning shares in a CSA.  (all info via Local Harvest)

 Advantages for farmers:

• Get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
• Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow
• Have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow

Advantages for consumers:

• Eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• Get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Usually get to visit the farm at least once a season
• Find that kids typically favor food from "their" farm – even veggies they've never been known to eat
• Develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown 

Advantages for Mother Earth  

• ecologically-responsible farming methods which improve the mineral and nutrient content of the soil

• recycle local green waste into compost.
• Organic farming helps preserve the water and air quality of their community by not using or encouraging the manufacture and use of chemical fertilizers, or dangerous chemical pesticides and herbicides

Here in San Diego county alone there are nearly 2000 Families that own shares in Be Wise Organic farms.  Make that 2001 families as we just signed up tonight!  

Check out a local CSA organic farm in your area, your family and mother earth will thank you!