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Community supported agriculture... the story so far Kirstin Glendinning

Community supported agriculture... the story so far Kirstin Glendinning kirstin.glendinning@googlemail.com. CSA is. “ ... any food, fuel or fibre-producing initiative... ... where the community shares the risks and rewards of production...

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Community supported agriculture... the story so far Kirstin Glendinning

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  1. Community supported agriculture... the story so far Kirstin Glendinning kirstin.glendinning@googlemail.com

  2. CSA is... “ ... any food, fuel or fibre-producing initiative... ... where the community shares the risks and rewards of production... ... whether through ownership, investment, sharing the costs of production, or provision of labour.”

  3. Scale of commitment Low level of commitment (Light Green) High level of commitment (Dark Green) Buying groups Farmer-run CSAs Community Owned Farms CSA is based on a relationship of mutual support.

  4. Key characteristics • Commitment • Risk-sharing • Shared ethics • Access to land - education So, CSA… • Not a prescribed model • Offers greater accountability to the consumer • Provides secure and fairer return for the producer • Encourages sustainable forms of agriculture • A tool for transition

  5. Benefits of CSA CSA: • Provides fresh healthy produce from a known source • Provides producers with a stable market and a fairer return for their produce • Keeps money in the local economy • Reduces ‘food miles’ and promotes sustainable agriculture • Creates new social networks, a sense of community andtrust

  6. Where it all started... From a biodynamic farm in Switzerland - Topinambur, in the early 1980's... ..to a global network of farms on every continent, today

  7. The USA First CSA farms emerged in late 1980s Now 13,000 CSA farms Mainly vegetables Farmer-led model – private enterprises, subscriber members Regional CSA organisations – advise on consumer mobilisation Strong political representation www.localharvest.org

  8. Japan Emerged in 1970s, forerunner of organic movement Consumer response to industrialisation of food production Popularised as result of numerous food scares in 1980s Now 1000+ ‘Teikei’s’ Mainly vegetables Consumer-led model – urban hubs sourcing from farming co-ops Seasonal farm visits www.joaa.net

  9. Germany Solidarity! Whole-farm CSA's 'Give what you can, take what you need' Mainly biodynamic Most in the north

  10. France AMAP – Association pour le Maintien de l’Agriculture Paysanne 3000+ now AMAP = the consumer group

  11. Italy Ethical purchasing groups First vegetables... ...then dried foods, Solar panels, Insurance, clothes... www.retegas.org

  12. Belgium Pick your own!

  13. CSAs in the UK • 45 trading CSA’s • 100+ in development • Vegetables in south-west, meat in north • Also bread, honey, cheese and milk • Average of 69 members per CSA • Average age just 3 years

  14. CSAs in the UK

  15. Varying models • Producer-led 24% - producer offers share of production (grower’s box scheme) • Producer-community partnership 23% - community enterprise works with one or more producers • Community-led 53% - community owned and run-enterprise (32% of CSA’s run solely by volunteers)

  16. What do they produce? • Vegetables 73% • Fruit 35% • Meat 22% • Other 22% - honey, cheese, bread (29% of farms trade bought-in produce) (58% have annual income under £32,000) (17% have income over £160,000)

  17. Swillington CSA • Since March 2007 • 40 members • No work obligation • Fri/Sat collection – pack own veg • Monthly socials • Annual/quarterly/ monthly payment options

  18. The Fowl Co-op and Pig Club • Member-led CSA – committed market for local organic farm • 6 month sign-ups • £60 = 6 chickens • Chickens delivered to urban farmers’ market • 1 farm tour/year

  19. Swillington Sheep CSA • Members provide loans of £100 • 18 month repayment, 4% interest in lamb meat • Supporting 2 new farmers • Sheep are property of the farmers

  20. Stroud Community Agriculture • 50 acres - biodynamic • 2 full-time farmers on £20k/yr • Paid administrator & membership officer • 200 shares (veg & meat) • £35/month + £2/yr membership • IPS – one member, one vote • Citrus fruit & olive oil from Spanish sister farm • Regular volunteer days & social events

  21. Loxley Valley Community Farm - Sheffield • 5 acres • 25 members • Pig, turkey, egg, chicken & vegetable shares • All work done by members • Company limited by guarantee: member = director

  22. Community Supported Bees - Bungay • 25 members • £20 per year • Visits to hives • Hive in members’ gardens • Invitation to honey harvest and bee party in autumn • Regular updates and photos • Wax and honey share

  23. The future? Peer support – fledging UK CSA network & charter But many barriers • Weather • Recession And competition • Box schemes • Farm shops • Supermarkets...

  24. Further info UK: Soil Association website - CSA pages – UK CSA Network www.soilassociation.org International: Urgenci international network of CSA's: • “fostering peer-based solidarity among Community-Supported Agriculture initiatives worldwide to actively contribute to the food sovereignty movement” www.urgenci.net

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