Farmers, especially subsistence or small-scale farmers, need to find innovative ways to monetise their farmland. Turning to strategies such as diversification, regenerative agriculture that lowers input costs, and agroforestry, these entrepreneurs are finding ways to maximise income and minimise costs. And that’s exactly what community supported agriculture can also help with.
What is Community Supported Agriculture?
CSA, as the term is often referred to, points to the use of farmland to benefit an entire community. It is built on a strong foundation of relationships between the farmer and the community. The approach itself draws heavily from a subscription-based business model, having community members pledge a certain amount of money to support the farm, while reaping the benefits of the farm’s produce.
A traditional CSA model works like this:
- Community members trade a share in the harvest for capital that enables the farmer to farm and run their business.
- This trade can be paid over a period of time, spreading the money that the community is providing over a period of time, leading to a steady income for the farming business.
- Once the harvest is ready, instead of having to go to the market and sell the goods, these shares have already allocated a section of the harvest to the invested community members.
Benefits of Community Supported Agriculture
Benefits of using a community-supported agriculture approach can be summarised as follows”
- Less produce is wasted because buyers have already been allocated.
- Community members share the risks and benefits of food production with the farmer, meaning the overreliance on loans to cover input costs.
- Financial support works like an advance for working capital, increasing financial stability.
- Community members receive regular distributions of the farm’s produce, ensuring fresh, nutritious food throughout the season.
- This model is not only limited to growers but can be used for poultry, livestock and even game (venison).
Using this business model can be of particular benefit to small-scale farmers who can’t compete with large, mega-farmers who flood the market with produce, leaving the small agricultural entrepreneurs to take a fraction of the price they could have received. In addition to this, the farmer and consumer relationship is much closer, meaning that the farmer can communicate with its customers on what exactly it is interested in. Should they opt for cauliflower instead of cabbage, or a particular type of tomato over another? Backed by what the community truly wants – and what fares well in your climate – community supported agriculture can cut to the core of sustainable farming, while offering its community the virtues of “clean food” and “living close to the land”.
One of the drawbacks, however, is that a farmer cannot guarantee the amount that will be produced. Many factors, such as the weather patterns, environmental concerns, pests, disease, and testing new varieties, all contribute to the risks that community members will be signing up for.
Marketing CSA to the Community
As a farmer or agripreneur, you can offer the community a range of other benefits that may make them feel more involved in the farming process. These selling points can help you to market your business as well as encourage buy-in from the community.
Here are some additional offers you can present:
- Community members receive ultra-fresh, locally grown produce
- The opportunity to learn about new vegetables and fruits
- The opportunity to learn about the production process for all agricultural products
- Deeper knowledge about climatic requirements and care instructions for crops based on geographic areas
- Participation in seasonal events, such as seeing young livestock being born, or joining the harvest
- Member-only Invitations to events such as “pick your own harvest” or photo days with the livestock on the farm
- If you have the means and facilities, you can also offer special agroprocessing add-on opportunities such as jam-making, canning, or even cooking events.
Why Farmers Should Consider This
Farmers find themselves in a bind: Adapt or die. By drawing on multiple strategies and combining them with CSA to build a farm that has access to working capital and a strong, loyal customer base, farmland can generate a steady income.
To find out more about subscription models, explore the advantages and disadvantages in our article.
