Regional
(2008-04-02)
Listen Now:
FORT COLLINS, CO
(KUNC) -
Community Supported Agriculture
null
null
null
Folks in the mountains aren't going to believe this but along the Front Range we finally got some snow. We were drying up and had been blowing away. This recent moisture is welcome relief.
Agriculture used to be the main economic force in Colorado. Agriculture bolstered the local, rural economy. Farmers took care of the land they tended. Consumers could buy fresh produce and they knew where it was grown. That part of agriculture is still strong in Colorado. It's Community Supported Agriculture, CSA.
A CSA farm sells memberships for shares of the harvest. During the growing season the farm distributes fresh produce to the members. If it hails or frosts the members get less produce just like the farmer would. During good growing seasons the shares are bountiful.
Buying into a CSA farm keeps income in the local economy. CSA farms are part of the neighborhood, town or county. The money they earn stays close to home.
A CSA farm is part of our open space. As more homes are built and more ag-land changed into malls, we need some open space. Supporting a CSA farm keeps land available for farming. In Ft. Collins, one of our CSA farms, Happy Heart Farm, is in the middle of a neighborhood. Surrounded by suburban lawns the farm thrives.
The trend is to buy local and organic produce. You can't get any more local than a CSA farm. Most CSA farms also grow produce organically. If they aren't certified organic growers they usually use fewer chemicals than mass production farms.
Being a CSA member you can see how and where your food is being grown. Your kids can see that salads don't just come pre-made in bags. Salad stuff comes from sun, water and work.
Some CSA farms offer working shares. For folks who can't afford a full payment, they trade produce for work on the farm. Members can pull weeds, help harvest and distribute food or do office chores as part of their membership.
The growing season is upon us. Check into a CSA farm to keep the local economy and agriculture vibrant.
tomthrogmorton@mywdo.com
© Copyright 2012, KUNC
