What is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. A CSA is an arrangement where individuals buy into the farm at the start of the growing season and in exchange receive a share of the farm’s harvest. Shares are distributed each week throughout the season.
The economic philosophy behind Community Supported Agriculture is one of shared risk. Unlike a co-op, farmers and members share the risks involved in agriculture as well as the bounty of the harvest. Shareholders support the farm through pre-season payment. This membership fee allows the farmer to avoid borrowing money for early season/ pre-produce expenses. In return for this investment the farm is managed to provide members with a diverse distribution of the highest quality seasonal produce.
The educational philosophy of Community Supported Agriculture is one of shared learning. By eating seasonally and knowing their farmers, members and their families have a more direct relationship with their food and become more aware of the importance of local agriculture. Children come to learn that broccoli doesn’t grow on supermarket shelves. Farmers enjoy knowing the people that are eating their produce and are able to plan based upon member’s needs.
Membership
Members join in the winter and pick up their share of vegetables weekly during the season. Through this type of purchasing consumers and farmers share the risk of a difficult season as well as the bounty of a good year. Because of their diversity, CSA farms rarely have "bad years". In a rainy season, the greens are happy; a hot and dry year grows great tomatoes. The Farm at Miller's Crossing offers both a regular share and a u-pick share.
This year, we are very excited to be able to offer a CSA in Columbia County at our farm and a new CSA in Long Island City, through Just Foods, a non-profit organization that works to develop a just and sustainable food system in the New York City region. Click on the links below to get more information on our CSA memberships.
2008 Columbia County CSA Survey 
2008 Columbia County CSA Participation Agreement
2008 Long Island City CSA Participation Agreement
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