Field to fork:
The rise of community supported agriculture

by Kari Weis, posted Dec. 23, 2009

Just five miles outside Moberly, Mo., you can find Danjo Farms, home of community supported agriculture operators Dan and Joanne Nelson. In January 2006, the couple of professional natural gardeners purchased 15 acres and started their CSA operation.

Families and individuals who join the CSA receive an allotted amount of produce every week during the growing season from May to October. According to Joanne Nelson, the purpose of the CSA is to create an alliance between the farmer and consumer. In exchange for their shares, members sign a contract for the season, agreeing to pay in advance and help with some of the harvest work and distribution of the food. Danjo also has non- worker shares available.

Lane McConnell, marketing and local foods program manager for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, said: “A community supported agriculture is a partnership made between community members and a particular local farm. In a CSA farm, consumers can purchase seasonal shares which entitle them to weekly food allowances”

CSAs are not a new concept to farming or agribusiness. According to the USDA, the initial model began in the mid-1960s in Japan. The original name of this agricultural method was “teikei.”  The European farmers adopted the process in the 70s, and then in the mid-80s Americans started their version. 

“Currently, there are more than 1,000 CSA programs in operation in the U.S. today, and sales of locally-grown foods, measured as direct farm to customer sales, have increased over 70 percent in the last ten years in Missouri,” said Mary Hendrickson, MU associate extension professor. “We also see institutional food services featuring local foods.”

According to the USDA, the number of CSA operations has expanded nationally and survey results also indicate that the size of the individual operations has expanded, as well.  The CSAs surveyed in the 2009 Survey of Community Supported Agriculture Producers said that their operations averaged 55 members in 2007 and have grown to average 75 members in 2009.

CSA production has benefited most by the increase in popularity of the organic fruit and vegetable industry and greater consumer interest in eating locally-grown food, said another survey published by the University of Kentucky.

"My interest derives from a desire in supporting local farms and knowing where my food comes from. In the grocery stores, you never know how long it has been sitting there," said Kate Floros, MU assistant professor of political science.

While the economy presented a challenge for some in 2009, CSAs surveyed by the USDA did not appear to be significantly affected by economic downturn. About one-in-five respondents, 18 percent, said that they had more members either drop out or sign up for smaller shares in 2009 than in past years.

Although, the general decline in the economy this past year was most often cited by CSA operators as a challenge for recruiting members, there are other factors. Among these was the growth of farmer’s markets.  In some areas, a CSA was delivering food that may now be conveniently purchased at a farmer’s market.

Danjo Farms has taken advantage of the local farmer’s markets to advertise their operation. They sell products at Columbia Farmer's market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, and this year for the first time, Danjo Farms sold products at the University of Missouri farmers market. The annual market on campus was held Sept. 16. The university and vendors are hoping to host the market three to four times a year in the future.

Danjo Farms flexibility has been its success. A wide variety of arrangements can be offered by a CSA. Each CSA contracts an assortment of produce, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other farm products (eggs, milk and meat, if available). 

Danjo specifically offers asparagus, potatoes, apples, apricots and a variety of other produce, and is the only CSA around that has an option for quarter shares. This is a small order of produce available for individuals, such as college students, couples or singles, who consume smaller amounts of food each week.

CSA programs are beneficial for both customers and the producers. For the customer, it provides freshly harvested produce. The shareholder interacts with the grower and this allows for relationships to begin. A face is associated with the product and an alliance is formed. The grower benefits from this exchange, too.  It provides stability for the farm.

Five years ago, campus dining decided to integrate local foods from CSA organizations with the intention to provide fresh food for MU students while helping the local economy.

Eric Cartwright, executive chief of campus dining, believes this is “an investment in student success.”

The support for local foods from the university has inspired MU students, as well. In 2009, Tigers for Community Agriculture, a campus student organization, was established. Their mission is to promote and produce community food systems in Columbia.

“We want to work together as a group to increase awareness and involvement of others in the community and students on campus about community agriculture and its benefits to the food industry,” said Tigers for Community Agriculture’s President, Andrew VanEngelenhoven.

The club’s main project is the Bradford Farm CSA, a three-acre produce farm that works to provide healthy food for the Columbia community. This past year, members worked in correlation with the Olivet Christian Church for direct marketing of the produce and distribution to needy families throughout the area.

In the future, Tigers for Community Agriculture hopes to provide food to those in need living in Columbia's First Ward. Currently the club has 10 members, but all students who are interested are welcome to join.

Overall, the future of CSA programs is bright.  Through community producers, such as Danjo Farms, and commitment from the university, the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce is on the rise for Columbia.

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