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 just about all of us), and the Carrizozo farmers who grow them together. This system 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 Carrizozo CSAs Work
Grocery shopping is a whole lot easier for Carrizozo CSA subscribers. Instead of having to wade through the produce section every week 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 really is an idea that is increasing in popularity around the country since it cuts out the middleman, ensures farm-fresh produce at affordable prices, and is good for the environment because it decreases transportation costs, as well. CSA subscriptions usually run from early May through September or October, dependent on where you reside.
Benefits of CSAs in Carrizozo, NM
What are the benefits of joining a Carrizozo CSA program? Well, the produce doesn't have to be moved 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 advantage is that the produce is just about as fresh as possible, since it is chosen, sorted and shipped usually on the same day.
Often, it's less costly than buying produce through] supermarkets in Carrizozo, because it does away with the middleman and links the consumer and the local farmer without any markup on profit. Carrizozo CSAs help the local economy, too, since they maintain the revenue right in the area, instead of sending it to other countries or other states where produce may originate.
Carrizozo CSA Programs Are on the Rise
Just a few short years ago, a CSA program probably didn't exist in your Carrizozo 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're 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.
Generally, the crops are organic, so health-conscious Carrizozo 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 don't have to live right next to an agricultural area, either, often farmers will spread their produce around in several diverse cities to be 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 manage 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 almost everybody involved, plus they are easy to start and maintain, so there's no reason why your community should do without one.
CSA Apprenticeship in Carrizozo
Even if you think you can't afford to belong to Carrizozo CSAs, don't despair. Many farmers are offering apprenticeships for those who can not afford to purchase a membership for a season. You work in the fields for a pre-determined amount of time each week, and learn 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 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 is a very good feeling. So, help a farmer, feed your family better, and save money by joining Carrizozo CSA in your area.