What is a CSA?
"The Econimics of It All"
There are many reasons to join a CSA, and much has been written on the subject. Some great links are: (local harvest, 10 reasons to buy local food). Joining a CSA is a particularly powerful way of buying locally, because you are making a commitment to support a particular farm in your community. This strengthens your connection to the health of the land and people who are producing your food, and a provides a closer more intimate connection to the food you are consuming.
Here in Southwest Washington we have some particularly compelling reasons to buy locally, and strongly support the survival of farms in our community. Because we live so close to a large metropolis which lies in a different government jurisdiction, it is easy for our local economy, environment and identity to get swallowed up in the largeness of the greater Portland community.
Unless we make a particular effort to build a strong local economy from the grass roots up, the forces at play in Portland will always dictate what happens to our communities. The fate of farms, farmers and farm land are at the heart of this effort.
First, farmland is one of the most important natural resources that is "consumed" when suburban development extends out from the city. However, farmers have no reason to resist the pressure of development if they are not able to make a living on their land. Large scale conventional farmers in our area feel besieged by a host of economic and political forces beyond their control, from environmental regulation to labor law to global markets. On the other hand, farmers who have turned to growing food sustainably for local markets are able to avoid many of these forces. CSA farms in Southwest Washington represent a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy farm economy, and as such, represent one of our best hopes for securing and preserving farmland and the many environmental benefits it provides.
Second, by it's very focus on producing locally for local consumption, CSA farms build a local economy. For decades, local leaders have struggled to bring jobs to our area, rather than have people, their consumer dollars and their tax revenues leak across the Columbia. CSA farms are a growing source for local jobs that will expand as consumers discover the benefits of eating locally. Dollars spent locally, recirculate back into the community, supporting other local businesses and providing tax revenues for local services. The multiplication effect could become dramatic.
In the last decade the number and variety of CSA farms has exploded. Beginning with a couple of vegetable farmers, CSA farms now offer fruit, meat, dairy and poultry products, and are expanding into food processing. Restaurants utilizing local food products are tying into and expanding this sector. In addition to localizing the food sector, CSA farms are providing an example and model for other businesses that has boundless potential for localizing and "greening" the economy of Southwest Washington.
Written March 22nd, 2009 by:There are many reasons to join a CSA, and much has been written on the subject. Some great links are: (local harvest, 10 reasons to buy local food). Joining a CSA is a particularly powerful way of buying locally, because you are making a commitment to support a particular farm in your community. This strengthens your connection to the health of the land and people who are producing your food, and a provides a closer more intimate connection to the food you are consuming.
Here in Southwest Washington we have some particularly compelling reasons to buy locally, and strongly support the survival of farms in our community. Because we live so close to a large metropolis which lies in a different government jurisdiction, it is easy for our local economy, environment and identity to get swallowed up in the largeness of the greater Portland community.
Unless we make a particular effort to build a strong local economy from the grass roots up, the forces at play in Portland will always dictate what happens to our communities. The fate of farms, farmers and farm land are at the heart of this effort.
First, farmland is one of the most important natural resources that is "consumed" when suburban development extends out from the city. However, farmers have no reason to resist the pressure of development if they are not able to make a living on their land. Large scale conventional farmers in our area feel besieged by a host of economic and political forces beyond their control, from environmental regulation to labor law to global markets. On the other hand, farmers who have turned to growing food sustainably for local markets are able to avoid many of these forces. CSA farms in Southwest Washington represent a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy farm economy, and as such, represent one of our best hopes for securing and preserving farmland and the many environmental benefits it provides.
Second, by it's very focus on producing locally for local consumption, CSA farms build a local economy. For decades, local leaders have struggled to bring jobs to our area, rather than have people, their consumer dollars and their tax revenues leak across the Columbia. CSA farms are a growing source for local jobs that will expand as consumers discover the benefits of eating locally. Dollars spent locally, recirculate back into the community, supporting other local businesses and providing tax revenues for local services. The multiplication effect could become dramatic.
In the last decade the number and variety of CSA farms has exploded. Beginning with a couple of vegetable farmers, CSA farms now offer fruit, meat, dairy and poultry products, and are expanding into food processing. Restaurants utilizing local food products are tying into and expanding this sector. In addition to localizing the food sector, CSA farms are providing an example and model for other businesses that has boundless potential for localizing and "greening" the economy of Southwest Washington.
Diane & Jim Hunter
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