Fall 2012: Running a Successful CSA Workshop Series
Download and Print Registration Form
To mail in with check or money order
To register online, click the BPT link next to the workshop (coming soon)
Series Overview
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a fast growing economic model for making farming businesses financially viable and for providing affordable, quality produce to the community. This workshop series features three successful CSAs in different regions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire who can explain from experience the details of making this creative business model work.
The workshops are led by farmers experienced in running both small and large financially viable CSAs. Presenters will explain the operation of their own farms, and discuss mistakes and triumphs they have made in order to provide guidance to those considering the CSA model for their own farming future.
Workshops will be held partly outside and partly indoors. Be prepared for cold temperatures, and dress in layers.
Important Registration Details
- The cost of all workshops is $30, with discounts for NOFA membership and early registration (14 days before the workshop).
- Pre-registration is required unless arranged by phone with the organizer, Ben Grosscup, cell: 413-658-5374.
- Cancellations will be honored and refunds issued (except $8 processing fee) with notice made within 10 or more days of the workshop. After that, you may designate someone else to attend in your stead, but refunds will not be available.
- Carpooling is encouraged, and on your registration form, you'll have the opportunity to be connected with other registrants in your local area who also want to carpool to the workshop.
For info: Ben Grosscup, 413-658-5374. By email, ben.grosscup@nofamass.org; put "CSA Workshop" in subject.
CSA Management Workshops in Fall 2012:
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A) Waltham Fields Community Farm, 240 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA,
Saturday, October 27, 2-5pm
Farming in Community: Four Farmers, Two Farms, and One Mission
- Instructor: Andy Scherer has been on the farm management staff of WFCF since 2007.
- Instructor: Amanda Cather has been farm manager at Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) since 2004.
- Instructor: Dan Roberts is field and equipment manager at WFCF and has worked at the farm since 2008.
- Instructor: Erinn Roberts is the harvest and greenhouse manager at WFCF and has worked at the farm since 2008.
WFCF operates a 500-share CSA as a revenue-generating part of a nonprofit community farm. We'll talk about farming as a management team, our collaboration with Picadilly Farm, and how our mix-and-match CSA improves our food access work. We'll focus on finances, crop planning, and managing harvests for maximum shareholder flexibility.
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B) Caretaker Farm, 1210 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA
Saturday November 3, 1-4pm
How to Manage a Sustainable CSA
- Instructor: Don Zasada has been connecting people to the land through CSA for 15 years. Caretaker Farm was one of the first CSA's in the country starting in 1991.
We will discuss various aspects of a sustainable CSA operation including: mission, soil management, farm Planning to provide consistent harvests, CSA Member management, working with apprentices and integrating volunteers, managing U-Pick, animals, record keeping and financial sustainability. We will tour our fields, greenhouse, hoop houses, distribution area, and farm equipment while discussing how each of these systems supports our mission. We supply produce to 255 families and to a hot meals program weekly from June through October and twice monthly from October through February. All shares are picked up on farm.
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C) Picadilly Farm, 264 South Parrish Rd., Winchester, NH
Saturday, November 10, 9am-12pm
Seven Hundred Shareholders in Six years: Scaling up a CSA
- Instructors: Jenny and Bruce Wooster started growing together at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, MA, in 2001. Prior, Jenny worked on Massachusetts farms, including Allandale Farm, Food Bank Farm, Brookfield Farm, and Waltham Fields Community Farm. Bruce worked with the Seed Savers Exchange (IA), Sunrise Farm (VT), Lands Sake Farm (MA), and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (MA).
We offer CSA shares at the farm, boxed shares delivered to eastern Massachusetts, and shares in collaboration with other farms. We'll describe these, including packing and distribution systems. Discussion of start-up, finances, CSA administration, marketing and farm crew management. Tour will describe stewardship practices, equipment and infrastructure.
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View Map of NOFA/Mass 2012 Fall CSA Workshops in a larger map
Click for archives of previous workshops:
2011 How to Run a Successful CSA Workshop
This page was last modified on January 25, 2012 at 6:15:15 PM.
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