update!  CSA - COMMUNITY SPONSORED AGRICULTURE 2011

In 2009, Beth El teamed up with congregants from Bethesda United Methodist Church (BMUC) to start our first CSA, with Fresh & Local CSA of Shepherdstown, WV.   We are about to vote about whether or not to continue with F& L or try a new CSA.  Photos below illustrate some of the shares during the 2010 growing season.

WHAT TO EXPECT AND NOT EXPECT FROM THE CSA EXPERIENCE

 You are already aware that you won't have a say about what shows up in your grocery bag every week. That's part of the fun-- the surprise of figuring out just what are those vegetables and how to prepare them.  

There are other vagaries connected with small farm production.  Putting up with them is part of truly supporting an alternative to industrial farming.    Organic produce is not an upfront bargain.  You will not get an incredible "deal" over Whole Foods or My Organic Market, but your CSA produce will have been picked within hours and will not have used tons of fuel to be harvested and flown in from California, Florida or Chile. Unlike a supermarket, a CSA won't likely be able to supply alternative sources of produce should there be a drought or too much rain, if there are labor problems, or if the tractor's engine needs to be replaced.  If the outcome isn't great you share that with the farmers, just as you share their bounty.  

If you are investing in a small local farm as much out of the principle of wanting to support an alternative to industrial farming as you are in wanting to eat locally grown, sustainably-raised, delicious produce, then the principle alone may be enough to sustain you through a bad season, should one occur.  In addition, the accessibility to the actual farm, bringing your family, or going with a group from Beth El to to help plant, weed, harvest, eat, schmooze and to learn more about organic farming practices is unique opportunity unavailable through industrial agriculture.