There's a new CSA in the region! With delivery routes to Akron, Vermillion, LeMars, and Sioux City, Tony and Jennifer Heisterkamp are looking to expand their vision of high quality organic fruits and vegetables at great prices. Their timing couldn't be better. With the recently projected food price index prices going up 3.5 to 4.5 percent in the coming years, CSA can be a great model for both local farmers and consumers. According to ISU Extension and Outreach Co-Director of the Agricultural Marketing Resource Service Mary Holz-Clause, "One detailed three-year study showed that CSA shareholders would have paid 37 percent more at their supermakret for conventionally grown food." Read more from AgMRC here.
Another benefit of becoming a CSA shareholder is that you can create a strong relationship to your farmer. CSA farms often invite you out to the farm, encourage you to participate in some farm activities, and keep you up-to-date on the progress of the crops. It is a fantastic way way to get to know and support local producers.
How does it work? In a CSA system, the farmer grows food for a group of shareholders or subscribers, who pledge to buy a portion of the farm’s crop that season. This arrangement gives growers up-front cash to finance their operation and higher prices since the middleperson has been eliminated. Most CSAs are organized with produce, but some are adding meat products. The four types of CSAs are:
You can also contact John and Janna Wesselius at The Cornucopia about their CSA deliveries to Orange City, Sioux Center, and Sioux City. Visit The Cornucopia Facebook page to learn more about joining their CSA or call/e-mail them at (712) 490-8218, jhw@mtcnet.net
Another benefit of becoming a CSA shareholder is that you can create a strong relationship to your farmer. CSA farms often invite you out to the farm, encourage you to participate in some farm activities, and keep you up-to-date on the progress of the crops. It is a fantastic way way to get to know and support local producers.
How does it work? In a CSA system, the farmer grows food for a group of shareholders or subscribers, who pledge to buy a portion of the farm’s crop that season. This arrangement gives growers up-front cash to finance their operation and higher prices since the middleperson has been eliminated. Most CSAs are organized with produce, but some are adding meat products. The four types of CSAs are:
- Subscription or farmer-driven - The farmer organizes the CSA and makes most of the management decisions. The shareholder or subscriber is not very involved in the farm. This kind of CSA is quickly becoming the most common.
- Shareholder or consumer-driven - Consumers organize the CSA and hire the farmer to grow what they want. The consumers make most of the decisions. This model is often used in the Northeast.
- Farmer cooperative - This is a farmer-driven CSA in which two or more farms pool their resources to supply customers.
- Farmer-consumer cooperative - The farmer and consumer co-own land and other resources and work together to produce food.
You can also contact John and Janna Wesselius at The Cornucopia about their CSA deliveries to Orange City, Sioux Center, and Sioux City. Visit The Cornucopia Facebook page to learn more about joining their CSA or call/e-mail them at (712) 490-8218, jhw@mtcnet.net
A healthy serving of The Cornucopia vegetables could be yours each week by joining their CSA!
So while you're craving homegrown food this winter, relax knowing that you are happily supporting local food farmers. Fill your dreams with anticipation of your share box full of fresh, healthy vegetables headed your way in the Spring!
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