CSA Utah

Contents

CSA Utah
Jeff Williams
Great Salt Lake RC&D Coordinator
USDA-NRCS
125 South State Street, 4F
Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1100
Phone: (801) 524-4254
Email

CSA Utah is a project of the Great Salt Lake RC&D Council that provides
a one-stop resource for those interested in CSA in Utah.

Both consumers looking for fresh, local food and farmers looking to diversify their operation and make a positive impact in their community will find something here.

CSAUtah.org is your door to Community Supported Agriculture in Utah.

Many farms offer produce shares, where buyers typically receive a weekly delivery of produce, flowers, fruits, eggs, milk, meats, or various other locally produced items. Cost, quantity, length of season, varieties, delivery options vary depending the farmer.  

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way for the food buying public to have an active dialogue with a farmer, learn about how they grow their produce, where it is grown and other aspects of their farm. Members invest in farms in their community by paying a lump sum (usually before the growing season) and receive a portion of whatever is in season in their local ecosystem, typically on a weekly basis. In this way ordinary citizens can vote with their wallet by directly supporting farming into their community, inviting sustainable farming into their neighborhood and become an integral part of their world.  By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (shareholders) of the CSA. Some CSAs also provide opportunities for members to experience their farm directly through field events, potlucks, a pumpkin patch or other activities. Some may offer members to earn a share by working for the CSA. In Utah, the growing season usually lasts 16 to 20 weeks, from late June through October.

To download an informational brochure click here.

WHAT IS A CSA?

CSA is a partnership of mutual commitment between a farm and a community of supporters which provides a direct link between the production and consumption of food. Supporters cover a farm's yearly operating budget by purchasing a share of the season's harvest. CSA members make a commitment to support the farm throughout the season, and assume the costs, risks and bounty of growing food along with the farmer or grower. Members help pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment maintenance, labor, etc. In return, the farm provides, to the best of its ability, a healthy supply of seasonal fresh produce throughout the growing season. Becoming a member creates a responsible relationship between people and the food they eat, the land on which it is grown and those who grow it.

This mutually supportive relationship between local farmers, growers and community members helps create an economically stable farm operation in which members are assured the highest quality produce, often at below retail prices. In return, farmers and growers are guaranteed a reliable market for a diverse selection of crops.

To learn more, click on one of the links below...

LEARN MORE

• How Does It Work?
• Whis is CSA Important?
• Is CSA Profitable for Farmers?
• Delivered Veggies?
• Share the Harvest Book
• CSA: Wiki-Style...
  

CSA Utah is sponsored by Great Salt Lake RC&D which promotes conservation, development and stewardship of natural and human resources; promotes sustainable economies; and enhances the quality of life.