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 most of us), and the Missouri Valley farmers who grow them together. This 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 Missouri Valley CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Missouri Valley CSA subscribers. As opposed to needing to wade through the produce section every week farmers do the work for them. Local farmers put together 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 is increasing in popularity around the country given it keeps out the middleman, ensures farm-fresh produce at affordable prices, and is good for the environment because it cuts down transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions usually run from early May through September or October, dependent on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Missouri Valley, IA
What are the advantages of joining a Missouri Valley CSA program? Well, the produce does not have to be transferred to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only transported once, to the pick-up location, so subscribers are helping save on fuel costs and spare the environment from emissions. One key benefit is that the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, since it is picked, sorted and sent usually on the same day.
Often, it's less costly than buying produce through] supermarkets in Missouri Valley, because it does away with the middleman and connects the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Missouri Valley CSAs benefit the local economy, too, simply because they keep the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Missouri Valley CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Missouri Valley community. They've definitely gained popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. They're a great way for farmers to know they will have a market for their crops, but they are a great way for the consumer to get high-quality products without breaking the bank, too.
Generally, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Missouri Valley individuals know they are eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide variety 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 a number of distinct cities to make 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 coordinate their own CSAs, too. If you know a farmer, determine whether they're offering a CSA program, and if they're not, give them a hint! These programs benefit just about everyone involved, and they're easy to start and maintain, so there isn't any reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Missouri Valley
Even if you think you can not afford to belong to Missouri Valley CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for many who can't afford to buy a membership for a season. You're working in the fields for a pre-determined amount of time each week, and find out more about the business of agriculture, and you receive a share of the crops in return. Now that's a win-win situation for everyone!
During 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 arrived at 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 an excellent feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Missouri Valley CSA in your area.