July 2007

Click to enlarge

Some North Carolina farms have membership operations whereby neighbors can share in the farm’s progress and products. Known as Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), the idea gives consumers an opportunity to buy into a farm by purchasing a membership or share in exchange for enjoying the farm’s seasonal products. Most arrangements include a contract. Some allow members to join in the farm’s operation by contributing labor or other services. By joining a CSA farm, members can learn about how farms work and how to prepare, store and enjoy farm products.

Contact one of the CSA farms near you for more information. You can also get information from an initiative at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro called Project Green Leaf. Phone: (336) 256-1164. Web: http://greenleaf.uncg.edu