What's a CSA?
A CSA, sometimes called a Community Supported Agriculture Program, is a program with the goal to put people who use farm-grown products, (and that is almost all of us), and the Silt farmers who grow them together. The program works on a subscription basis. Subscribers can buy a subscription to the produce service for either a growing season or for the whole year.
How Silt CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Silt CSA subscribers. Rather than needing to wade through the produce section weekly farmers do the job for them. Local farmers come up with a weekly basket of produce (sometimes meat and dairy as well) and deliver it to an established, central location, or subscribers can pick it up at the farm.
It's a concept that's getting more popular throughout the country given it cuts out the middleman, assures farm-fresh produce at reasonable prices, and is good for the environment because it decreases transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions primarily run from early May through September or October, based on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Silt, CO
What are the benefits of joining a Silt CSA program? Well, the produce does not have to be transported to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only transferred once, to the pick-up location, so subscribers are helping save on fuel costs and spare the environment from emissions. One key benefit is the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, because it's selected, sorted and sent generally on the same day.
Often, it's less expensive than buying produce through] supermarkets in Silt, because it gets rid of the middleman and joins the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Silt CSAs help the local economy, too, since they keep your revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Silt CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Silt community. They've truly gained popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. They're a great way for farmers to know they are going to have a market for their crops, but they're a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products having to break the bank, too.
Usually, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Silt customers can be certain they're eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide selection of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You do not have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in several different cities to be sure all their crops are spoken for.
If you don't have a CSA program in your community, talk to a local community service organization about starting one. Some are managed by local food co-ops or service organizations, while farmers often arrange their own CSAs, too. If you know a farmer, find out if they're offering a CSA program, and if they're not, give them a hint! These programs benefit just about everyone involved, plus they are simple to start and maintain, so there is no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Silt
Even if you think you cannot afford to belong to Silt CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for people who can not afford to purchase a membership for a season. You work in the fields for a pre-determined period of time each week, and find out about the business of agriculture, and you receive a share of the crops in return. Now that's a win-win situation for everyone!
At a time when we worry about the quality of our food, how far it's traveled, and how long it's been sitting in a warehouse before it finally reached the supermarket, these novel programs can bring a little more peace of mind about where dinner's coming from and teach you new skills at the same time.
Even if you don't want to work in an apprenticeship, you can usually visit the farm and actually see where your next meal is coming from, and that's a very good feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Silt CSA in your area.