CSA: Supporting Local Farms
By Martha Jackson Suquet

If you’re paying attention to the local food movement, chances are you’ve heard of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSA programs are a long-standing part of the local food system, especially here in the Berkshires where we’re lucky to have many farms with strong CSAs. Read on to learn more about the benefits for CSA members and farmers, and what your options are if you want to become a CSA member at a local farm in the Berkshires.
The first CSA farms in the U.S. were founded in 1986, and the inspiration is most often credited to European or Japanese models. But as often happens with how history is told, there is an overlooked story about the origins of our CSA model that is rooted in African American history. Booker T. Whatley was born in Alabama in 1915, and raised during a time when black farmers were nearly one million strong. Dr. Whatley, who taught agriculture at Tuskegee University, strongly believed in regenerating farmer livelihoods through direct marketing. “The clientele membership club is the lifeblood of the [farm]. It enables the farmer to plan production, anticipate demand, and, of course, have a guaranteed market.” Read the full story about Booker T. Whatley and CSAs here.
(Image courtesy of Berle Farm.)
The first CSA farms in the U.S. were founded in 1986, and the inspiration is most often credited to European or Japanese models. But as often happens with how history is told, there is an overlooked story about the origins of our CSA model that is rooted in African American history. Booker T. Whatley was born in Alabama in 1915, and raised during a time when black farmers were nearly one million strong. Dr. Whatley, who taught agriculture at Tuskegee University, strongly believed in regenerating farmer livelihoods through direct marketing. “The clientele membership club is the lifeblood of the [farm]. It enables the farmer to plan production, anticipate demand, and, of course, have a guaranteed market.” Read the full story about Booker T. Whatley and CSAs here.
At its heart, Community Supported Agriculture involves consumers becoming “members” of a local farm, purchasing shares early each year and receiving farm products on a set schedule throughout the growing season. But a CSA purchase is more than just a transaction -- CSA members support their farm, not just with their upfront payments each season but through volunteering, learning more about how the farm operates, and joining other CSA members for community events. It’s a bigger commitment than other “buy local” options, but with many potential rewards.

Each farm runs its CSA program differently, so community members can look for a local share that works for their budget, schedule, and food preferences. Some CSA programs offer different size shares, or a sliding scale cost to help make the program accessible. Some have different pickup sites and days, or even home delivery, while others may only offer pickup at the farm. Multi-farm CSAs, “full-diet” shares, and allowing members to customize their shares are practices that many farms are exploring. And many farms ask members to volunteer their time during the season, either on the farm or at CSA distribution sites.
Abode Farm Pick-Your Own Field. Photo by Camille Breslin
More CSA programs are also finding ways to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) payments, allowing community members who rely on those benefits to purchase shares. Some also offer discounted shares in order to ensure food accessibility for all. Woven Roots Farm in Tyringham offers Solidarity Shares, “shares that create access to fresh, delicious produce and healthful knowledge, regardless of income, identities, immigration status, and background”.
Some of the benefits of CSA programs for members include:
  • A deeper connection to a local farm through volunteering, events, newsletters and more
  • A chance to explore interesting and unique vegetables and other farm products
  • Recipes and information about farm products
  • Opportunity to support a local farm and the local food system in a dedicated way
  • Convenience – many farms have a choice of pickup times and locations

For farmers, CSA programs offer a source of strength, stability, and connection. Some benefits for farmers are:
  • Cash flow at the beginning of the season when expenses are high
  • A more predictable budget for the season
  • A supportive community in place in case of emergencies
  • The ability to connect to and get feedback from members
If you haven’t joined a CSA yet, check out this list of Berkshire Grown member farms who informed us they are still accepting members for the upcoming season. Whether you’re looking for vegetables, meat, eggs, or flowers (or everything!), there’s a share that’s right for you. Please visit their websites for details.
Flowers: Full Well Farm
(Image courtesy Woven Roots Farm.)
Save the Date: March 10

The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook

A Virtual Event with Authors
Rob and Elisa Spungen Bildner
7:30 PM

The Berkshire Farm Table Cookbook captures the fresh, flavorful recipes of a truly bucolic region of the United States. And thanks to authors Elisa Spungen Bildner and Rob Bildner, and their collaborator, Chef Brian Alberg, who created most of the recipes, you can now experience a taste of this magical region for yourself, no matter where you live. The rolling hills and treetop mountains of the Berkshire region have long been known as a cultural mecca, but foodies around the world are becoming increasingly interested in its cuisine.

Food writer Darra Goldstein moderates this virtual presentation featuring authors Rob and Elisa, who will share their inspirations and experiences gathering recipes with foods grown on Berkshire farms. The Bildners, along with panelists Chef Brian Alberg, Missy Leab (Ioka Valley Farm), and Maddie Elling (Hosta Hill), will speak about what they all have in common, a passion for the land they live on, and for the food they grow and produce.

This virtual event, presented by Berkshire Grown, is free and open to the public on Wednesday, March 10 at 7:30pm, via Zoom. Register here.

Wait, there is more!
Register to attend this event and JOIN Berkshire Grown Membership at the $100 level or RENEW your current membership at the $100 (or higher) level and you will receive a complimentary copy of The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook. This offer is exclusive to those who attend The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook event and while supplies last. The offer is valid until March 31, 2021. Register to the event and establish your Berkshire Grown membership here.
What We Are Reading:
The Activists Working to Remake the Food System

They’re committed not just to securing better meals for everyone, but to dismantling the very structures that have long exploited both workers and consumers.

By Ligaya Mishan for the New York Times, February 19, 2021
Photograph by Nydia Blas. Set design by Beth Pakradooni. Set designer’s assistant: Harry Smith.
AN ALTAR IS a sacred space, but you can make one anywhere, out of anything; out of what you’re given. On Dec. 5, a small group gathered in downtown Springdale, Ark., to line the cement steps of a public square with Our Lady of Guadalupe candles, chrysanthemums and white cards bearing the handwritten names of local poultry workers who had died of Covid-19. Under each name was the legend “¡Presente!” (“Here!”) at once invocation and exhortation, used in Latin America to proclaim the continuing presence of the dead among us, particularly victims of oppression. White helmets were set beside the cards, and blue vinyl aprons hung from the railings: part of the uniform the workers once wore as they stood shoulder to shoulder, breaking down up to 175 birds a minute even as the pandemic raged, in a city dominated by chicken and turkey plants and decreed by the state to be the Poultry Capital of the World.

Read full article here.
Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program

Berkshire Grown Farm Business Member Awardees

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced its fifth and final round of Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program (FSIG) awardees. The program, created following recommendations from the Administration’s COVID-19 Command Center’s Food Security Task Force, which promotes ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to healthy, local food.

When evaluating the applications, considerations included equity, economic impact and need, sustainability and scalability of efforts, and ability to support producer readiness to accept SNAP and HIP benefits. The Administration has now awarded over $35 million to more than 360 recipients.

Berkshire Grown is proud to recognize these farm business members who received awards:

Caretaker Farm, Williamstown - To build a clean, safe, and efficient wash station area that will assist in providing high quality produce to local consumers by streamlining operations.
 
Colfax Farm, Alford - To make the handling and processing of food safer and more efficient, the farm will use program funds to invest in wash and storage equipment. The project will enable the farm to increase capacity to grow, process, and store more produce, and improve both worker and food safety.
 
Cricket Creek Farm, Williamstown - To diversify the dairy farm’s product line and bring additional items to market, the farm seeks to utilize program funding to begin producing and selling yogurt through the purchase of yogurt making equipment.
 
Full Well Farm, Adams - The funding will enable the farm to expand the availability of products to low income individuals and families within the Town of Adams by investing in equipment that enables SNAP/EBT payments to be directly made.
 
Greenagers, South Egremont - The organization seeks to significantly expand its food production and storage capabilities to better serve food insecure individuals through purchasing additional cold storage and constructing a high-tunnel greenhouse for season extension. This will allow them to donate more produce for community food distribution.
 
Indian Line Farm, Great Barrington - In an effort to provide additional produce to the local community, program funding will increase the farm’s winter production, storage, and worker and food safety through the purchase of a new washing and packing facility.
 
Marty’s Local, Pittsfield - Funding will enable the organization to increase its offerings of locally grown and produced foods to area residents and better reach those living in underserved rural and urban communities through the purchasing and installation of walk-in coolers and a walk-in freezer.

Mountain Girl Farm, North Adams - Due to the closure of local farmers markets because of the ongoing public health emergency, access to farm-to-table produce has become limited since March 2020. Funding will aid in the purchasing of a vehicle to be used to deliver fresh produce to individuals, including those utilizing SNAP benefits, in Northern and Central Berkshire County.
 
North Plain Farm, Great Barrington - In an effort to meet increased demand, project funds will assist the farm in making infrastructure improvements to aid production with the purchase of new chicken houses. Importantly, the farm accepts SNAP.

Square Roots Farm, Lanesborough - To provide additional food products to the residents within the region, program funding will enable the farm to purchase new poultry processing equipment, which will increase food production.

Visit MDAR for more news and programs.
See you at the Berkshire Grown
Next market is on Saturday, March 27, 10 - 2
Eisner Camp, 53 Brookside Rd, Great Barrington
Click here for more information about our Winter Market
Supporting local non-profits has never been more important than it is right now!

Give back to your local community by purchasing a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Big Y, located at 740 South Main Street, Great Barrington, during the month of February.

Berkshire Grown will receive a $1 donation for every reusable bag sold. If you do pick one up, be sure to practice standard safety protocols. Just like you need to wash your hands regularly, always wash your reusable bags before and after use. If possible, bag your own groceries at check out when using a reusable bag. Thank you in advance for your support!
Berkshire Grown connects you with local farmers, restaurants, and food producers. DONATE TODAY to celebrate local farms and food, sustain our Berkshire food economy, and Keep Farmers Farming! Support your favorite local eating establishment.
  To pay via check or phone, make payable to Berkshire Grown, mail to:
PO Box 983, Great Barrington, MA 01230 or call (413) 528-0041.
Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Now more than ever, connections to local food and farms hold our community together. 

Berkshire Grown's 2020 Guide to Local Food and Farms is the region's best guide to farms, farmers markets, and restaurants offering local foods. Use this Guide to find farm stands, CSA farms, pick-your-own farms and orchards, as well as locally sourced, value-added products like charcuterie, preserves, and fermented foods.

Connect to the Guide here to see descriptions of Berkshire farms, farmers markets, restaurants and local food businesses, with addresses and a detailed map. Pick up a printed copy at your local grocery store or farm stand. Keep it handy and use it frequently!
Stay in Touch




Berkshire Grown's e-newsletter comes out monthly. 
Please send information to  buylocal@berkshiregrown.org.
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Margaret Moulton, Executive Director
Andrea Caluori, Program Manager
Jess Camp, Program Manager
Kate Burke, Farm to Food Access Project Manager
Sharon Hulett-Shepherd, Membership and Office Manager
Join Berkshire Grown here.