What's a CSA?
A CSA, also known as a Community Supported Agriculture Program, is a program with the goal to put people who use farm-grown products, (and that's almost all of us), and the Boles Acres farmers who grow them together. This system works on a subscription basis. Subscribers can purchase a subscription to the produce service for either a growing season or for the whole year.
How Boles Acres CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Boles Acres CSA subscribers. Rather than 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 is a concept that's catching on around the country because it cuts out the middleman, assures farm-fresh produce at cheap prices, and is good for the environment because it decreases transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions generally run from early May through September or October, based on where you live.
Benefits of CSAs in Boles Acres, NM
What are the benefits of joining a Boles Acres CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't need to be transported to a warehouse or group of supermarkets, it's only moved once, to the pick-up location, so subscribers are helping save on fuel costs and spare the environment from emissions. One significant advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as you can get, because it's picked, sorted and delivered typically on the same day.
Often, it's cheaper than buying produce through] supermarkets in Boles Acres, because it gets rid of the middleman and joins the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Boles Acres CSAs benefit the local economy, too, simply because they keep your revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Boles Acres CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Boles Acres community. They've really taken off 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 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 Boles Acres consumers can be certain they're eating right, and community supported agriculture programs offer a wide array of options, including;
- Veggies
- Fruits
- Flowers
- Meats
- Cheeses
You don't have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in several different cities to make sure all their crops are spoken for.
If you do not 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 organize 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 everybody involved, plus they are easy to start and maintain, so there isn't any reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Boles Acres
Even if you think you can't afford to belong to Boles Acres CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are providing apprenticeships for those who can not afford to purchase a membership for a season. You're working in the fields for a pre-determined amount 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!
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 is an excellent feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Boles Acres CSA in your area.