COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)
Community Supported Agriculture (aka CSA) has multiple roots, one crucial one being the work of Dr. Booker T. Whatley, a Black sustainable farming pioneer. He advocated for “Pick Your Own” farms and “Clientele Membership Clubs” that allowed folks to form deeper connections to farms, whilst providing farmers with a guaranteed market. The Clientele Membership Club formed the basis for the CSA we know today.
CSAs take many different forms; the key point is that CSA members (or shareholders) buy into the farm, paying a predetermined price (often paid out at the beginning of the season). In return, they receive regular boxes (or shares) of farm produce and opportunities to connect to the farmers and other members. This allows farmers to predict income for the year and plan more efficiently. Furthermore, it creates a community of people with buy-in into the farm, where we all share in the risks and rewards of the farm season.
What it means to us is that we get to experience the joy of sharing our love of the land and the privilege of our land access with the community, creating regular touchpoints that allow us to build relationships, feed people, support our passions, and continue the land stewardship we hold so dearly.
Read on to learn more about our 2023 CSA and whether it's a great fit for you and your loved ones!
Questions? Contact us at virsylviaplants@gmail.com
2023 CSA DETAILS
When: June 28 - October 11
Pick up every Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00, with some Wednesdays off.
Where: Virsylvia Farm, Questa, NM
What:
Full share option: $450 for 13 full boxes (7-10 items)
Half share option: $300 for 13 half boxes (4-7 items)
*Payment is by check or cash in a lump sum before the CSA season begins. If finances will be a barrier for membership, please email us at virsylviaplants@gmail.com so we can discuss options!
What you receive:
13 boxes over the course of the season, chock full of delicious produce grown in our Questa fields. Each full box contains 7-10 items with a market value over $35. Each half box contains 4-7 items with a market value over $23. In our CSA, you get more produce for less $$ than you would find at the farmers market.
Each box comes with a handmade, artistically crafted “CSA Digest,” which is a super fun zine that includes what produce is in your box, stories from the farm, fun facts, and a couple recipes for that week’s produce. Check out a sample digest from last year here. Additionally, we will send a weekly email that informs you about everything you need to know about the farm, upcoming box pick-ups, produce availability, add-on options and more!
As the season progresses we will have extra produce and flower bouquets available as "add-on" purchases. We'll also send a “CSA Member Handbook” that will give you every single detail you need to know about participating in our CSA experience!
Heard enough? Sign up now!
Questions? Email Leah and Michael at at virsylviaplants@gmail.com.
Opportunities for Mutual Aid
Mutual aid is when everyday people get together to meet each other’s needs, with the shared understanding that the systems we live in are not meeting our needs and that we can meet them together, right now, without having to pressure power structures to do the right thing. Mutual aid is an idea and practice that is based on the principles of direct action, cooperation, mutual understanding, and solidarity. Mutual aid is not charity, but the building and continuing of new social relations where people give what they can and get what they need, outside of unjust systems of power.
By contributing to our mutual aid shares, you are helping provide food to local community members who may not otherwise be able to access affordable, local food.
If you would like to contribute please write the check to Michael Schmidt and send to Michael Schmidt, Virsylvia Farm, HC 81 Box 640, Questa, NM, 87556. Please make it clear that the check is for mutual aid. Thank you so much!