The Stafford CSA

*now accepting reservations for shares*

We're excited to announce the development of a CSA serving the Stafford area. Here's some information about CSA's, and to start you off, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

How does a CSA work?

Membership in the CSA is based on shares of the harvest. Members are called shareholders and they subscribe or underwrite the harvest for the entire season in advance. In this way, the members share in the variability of yields on the farm from year to year.

The farmers do their work, and throughout the summer and early fall, shareholders receive their share, a box of fresh vegetables every week.

What is a CSA all about?

GOOD HEALTHY FOOD - CSA members get to eat produce when it is in season and freshly picked, full of nutrients. Organic, locally grown, and freshly harvested foods are the basis for a healthy diet, and endorsed by health-care professionals.

CONSERVING WORKING LANDS - Every year, 7,000-9,000 acres of farmland are lost to development in Connecticut . CSA's are an economically viable way to revive the local food system and keep the region's farmland going.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - Organic agriculture preserves biodiversity, and the health of area soil and water systems, because it works with the ecosystem and without toxic chemicals. Eating local food saves a lot of energy; the average food on an American's plate has traveled about 2,000 miles to get there. CSA's, by selling directly to the consumer, allow farmers to be paid a living wage. The list goes on.

LEARNING - Often CSA's become a community hub for agricultural learning, from what a bean plant looks like, to growing your own, to canning for the winter. Also, CSA's act as training centers for young people interested in learning the skills of organic farming.

COMMUNITY - Members get to know the people that grow the food, and they meet each other when they work on the farm, come to get their shares, or are part of a CSA event.

Farmer's Pledge

We pledge that in our farming, marketing and processing, we will

* Reject the use of synthetic insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers;
* Reject the use of GMOs, chemically treated seeds, synthetic toxic materials, irradiation, and sewage sludge;
* Treat livestock humanely by providing pasture for ruminants, access to outdoors and fresh air for all livestock, banning cruel alterations, and using no hormones or antibiotic in feed;
* Support agricultural markets and infrastructures that enable small farms to thrive;
* Maintain healthy soils by farming practices that include rotating crops annually, using compost, cover crops, and green manures, and reducing tillage;
* Conserve natural resources by reducing erosion and pollution of air, soil, and water through responsible farming practices;
* Maximize the nutritional value of food and feed by practicing careful post harvest handling;
* Practice minimal processing for all food products to preserve the natural nutritional value of food: NO use of irradiation, ultra-pasteurization, excessive heat, synthetic preservatives, or GMO processing agents or additives
* Reduce the ecological footprint of farms and homes by limiting energy use and converting to renewable sources of energy;
* Reduce food miles by selling produce locally and regionally;
* Create beneficial habitat for wildlife and encourage biodiversity;
* Help preserve farmland and farming know-how;
* Ensure food safety by using potable water for washing crops;
* Handle raw manure and soil amendments with care;
* Use ethical business practices;
* Pay a living wage to all farm workers and acknowledge their freedom of association and their right to collective bargaining;
* Treat family members and farm workers with respect, and ensure their safety on the farm;
* Work in cooperation with other farmers and with the neighboring community to create a more sustainable way of life;
* Sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations.

What's next with the Stafford CSA?

We're presently entering our third year of operation on the Bob White farm. We are now accepting applications for shares. Please let us know you're interested. Fill out an application or drop us a line at our e-mail address: info@getdowntoearth.org.

Tour the Stafford CSA