C S A … What does that even stand for? That it means “Community Supported Agriculture” doesn’t really help in understanding what it actually is.
CSA is not really a universal household term. So it probably isn’t a surprise that many CSA newbies don’t really know what to expect when they start one.
This was a big question for me when I got interested in eating better during college in my early twenties. I lived in an apartment and couldn't have my own garden. Then, I learned about local food, and thought, 'Hey, I want to do that! I want to support local farmers and get fresh, healthy veggies from them.'
But, how?
Easier said than done in the slow-recovering atmosphere of Lewiston/Auburn, Maine in the early 2000's. At that time, there was a small local Farmers Market starting up and two small organic CSAs on the outskirts of town.
The first thing that we farmers do after the growing season ends is... AHHHH! We take a much-needed breath of relief and rack out to reclaim our bodies and minds from the busy, busy summer behind us.
The thing I remember most about the first time we walked on what is now our dream farm at 62 Merrills Mills Road in Dover-Foxcroft is Gene's smile after he pranced through the tall timothy and red clover in the field tucked up out of sight from the road. Hey, this beautiful eight acre field has a ton of space, he said. There's no way we'd be able to sell more veggies than that, we told each other.
