Thursday, May 15, 2008

BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT CSA’S

The first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm in America was in the Berkshires founded in 1985 by Jan VanderTuin and Robyn Van En in South Egremont, Massachusetts

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Jan VanderTuin returned home from Switzerland where he was a partner in a CSA there.  He wanted to set up a CSA here in the Berkshires.  He first contacted Caretaker Farm in Williamstown, but interest didn’t jell there immediately (today Caretaker Farm is one of largest 250 member CSA’s in the Berkshires). Then he teamed up with Robyn Van En and they launched their CSA endeavor at Indian Line Farm.  The farm continues to operate as a CSA today.

Over 2,000 farms across the country have adopted the CSA financial model in one form or another for operating their farms.  The CSA model has proven to be a key tool for small farmers to deploy to survive.

It is amazing that there are presently only 5 CSA farms in the Berkshires listed by Berkshire Grown.  Most of them sell out their shares shortly after they are offered each season.  This raises the question of the source of produce for the Berkshire Harmony CSA program. (See separate post for CSA Home Delivery Strategy)

Where is Jan VanderTuin today? While on a global pursuit for cargo tricycles to use for the CSA Home Delivery program the search lead to Eugene, Oregon and the discovery  of  a unique design for a cargo trike.  Jan VanderTuin is the designer/builder of the TRI HAULER Cargo Tricycle and trailer we plan to use for local neighborhood delivery. Check it out at http://www.catoregon.org/hpm/trihauler.htm  As they say, “What goes around, comes around."  Jan still maintains hands on involvement in the improvement of distribution of produce by enhancing the eco-friendly methods for delivery of the product.

Co-founder Robyn Van En, of the first CSA passed away of in 1998.