Growing Food, Growing Community, Community Supported Agriculture In Rural Iowa

1. Growing Food, Growing Community, Community Supported Agriculture In Rural Iowa Betty L. Wells and Rhonda Yoder

2. What is CSA? • A direct partnership between a farmer/grower & consumers • The consumer pays for shares • In exchange for a weekly share of the future harvest • Growers & consumers share the bounty & the risk of production

3. What is CSA? • “…farmers & community members working together to create a local food system. CSA farmers may produce fresh vegetables, fruits, & meats directly to local community members. CSA differs from direct marketing in that members commit to a full-season price in the spring, sharing the risks of production. With this up-front support, farmers can concentrate on growing quality food & caring for the land. In return, members know where their food comes from & how it is grown; they receive weekly food shares & share a connection to the land & the farmer.”

4. The First CSA • In the 1960s, Japanese women, concerned with increased food imports, food prices, and loss of family farms asked local farmers to grow fruits & vegetables directly for them • Farmers agreed on condition that families commit to supporting the farmers • “teikei” means partnership, or food with a farmer’s face

5. Diversity of CSAs • Some CSAs offer shareholders an opportunity to work in exchange for a reduction in their cost (some require their members to work) • Some maintain central distribution sites, others require members to pick up their food at the farm (transportation is one of the biggest problems)

6. As an Alternative • CSA is becoming a thriving partnership on the edges of the global system. • 1986 in the Northeast in the U.S. • There are over 1000 CSAs in the U.S. & Canada • 100,000 households are members

7. Iowa • This article looks at the growth of Community Supported Agriculture in Iowa • By 1996 there were forty CSA farms in Iowa. • In the past rural communities and family farms were synonymous

8. The globalization of Agriculture, as well as the farm crisis, shifted power from rural to urban. • In a traditionally agricultural state, Iowa has become urban & a net importer of food. • Even so, rural communities in Iowa still depend on healthy agriculture, and farm families still depend on healthy rural communities. • CSA is a way to strengthen ties to between farmers and non-farmers in rural areas.

9. CSAs reduce the hidden costs associated with our food system • In the conventional food system, food travels 1129-2146 miles • In a CSA system food travels a maximum of 200 miles, consumes less energy • CSAs reduce waste by minimizing packaging • CSAs maintain biodiversity & local ecological knowledge • Rather than externalities of the conventional system, CSAs externalize environmental benefits • Food dollars circulate locally

10. CSA Production • This article challenged the Idea that CSA members were educated rich folks who lived in cities and had different lifestyles than the farmers. • More than half of CSA’s serve rural areas and small towns. Some have all their members within a few miles. • Many conventional farm families became members because they did not have time to grow their own food, but understood the value of good home-grown food.

11. Values • Farmers involved in CSA production need to make enough money to continue production, but they also stressed other motives for getting into CSA, education, diversity, and a community-based system. • Many producers wanted to build friendships with customers and educate people about food and farming, and pass on practical knowledge between generations.

12. Growers take pride in growing a diverse variety of crops, and providing alternative land use. • Also more than half of CSA producers are women. They often live on conventional farms and start a CSA as a way to generate income and stay on the farm.

13. Many farmers also see a divide between the producers and consumers of food and want to provide a community based alternative. • They also believe that they can change the economic situation in Iowa. “Cooperation with nature and cooperation with people.”

14. Iowa Examples • Field to Family Community Food Project. Goals are to work for local, sustainable, and equitable food systems. Also to create self- reliant producers, and get wholesome food to low-income families. • Strong endorsement given to this group by Mid Iowa Community Action Agency. • FTF also gives local foods vouchers for use at farmers markets.

15. Summary • Integrating the CSA into daily family and food rhythms creates family and community ties based on food and farming and counters the global system of competition, homogenization, standardization, and fabrication. • The CSA is a sensible alternative to the industrial food system.