A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture program) is an increasingly popular way for farmers and consumers to connect.    A CSA charges a set amount of money for a quantity of produce provided over time.  Most Connecticut CSAs provide a weekly basket or box of vegetables and perhaps fruit for 14-22 weeks in the summer.  However there are also CSAs that provide monthly winter shares of storage vegetables, apples, pears and cider or winter greens and potatoes.  Others have shorter seasons or distribute flowers or meat.  Connecticut CSAs range in size from fewer than 10 shareholders to over 400.

Most of the CSAs in Connecticut sell out all their available shares each spring and have a waiting list.  Paul Bucciaglia of Fort Hill Farm in New Milford has 380 members in his CSA and thinks that there should be a CSA in every town.

To help meet this demand, CT NOFA is sponsoring an on-farm workshop on the oldest CSA in Connecticut, Mill River Valley Gardens in North Haven.  This workshop for farmers and others interested in starting, expanding or improving a CSA will be held from 6 to 8 pm on Monday, June 9.

There is no charge for this workshop but pre-registration is requested by June 6 via email to ctnofa[a]ctnofa.org or by calling 203 888-5146.  Attendance is limited.

Walter Greist, who has operated his farm as a CSA for 20 years, grows a wide variety of vegetables on 3 acres for 90 shareholders.  He provides shares for 18 weeks.  Members do two thirds of the harvest and a lot of the planting.  Various working commitments provide discounts on the share price, with some people providing so much work that their shares are free except for the price of the fruit from a nearby orchard that is part of the shares in the later summer and fall.

After a tour of the farm, Walter will share what he has learned about operating a CSA.  There will be time for questions and answers. This will be followed by a light meal. Sharing the Harvest, Elizabeth Henderson’s recently revised book about CSAs will be available for purchase.

This workshop is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Agricultural Risk Management Agency and the Department of Agriculture’s Ag Viability Grant Program.  Crop insurance information will be available.

For more information visit wwww.ctnofa.org or email Bill Duesing at bill[a]ctnofa.org or calling 203 888-5146.