When I tell people that we run a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, I often get blank stares. To many people, this is a foreign concept, but one that they find intriguing as I explain to them exactly what we do. We have loved our experiences running a CSA. It is a completely different way of looking at farming and making a living on the land. Modern agriculture often focuses solely on making a profit. There is a little accountability in the way crops and livestock are raised because they are shipped away to factories of various sorts, etc. This has led to an unprecedented increase in the use of pesticides, herbicides, and now genetic manipulation of crops. Often times the consumer is unaware of these things because they simply go to the grocery store to buy their food. They have no contact with the farmer. He is not accountable to them because "he" is somewhere far away. It is almost as if the production of food is some mythical process that we humans cannot fully understand.
We do things differently at Fiat Farm. We are always looking for ways to be better stewards of the soil we have been given. We realize that we are dependent on the soil, the weather, and God's providence. This encourages us to use practices that will build up soil fertility and conserve the life of the soil. This also has encouraged us to find ways to market our food that brings people into real living contact with us. There is a slogan in organic farming called: "Food with the farmer's face on it." This is a motto we have taken to heart. We will see our CSA members every week. They have invested and trusted us, and we want to be completely transparent. This trust leads to a building up of community bonds, and provides a way for us to provide for ourselves on our little plot of land. CSA members aren't just numbers, but real people getting real food from a real family. We don't have pretty packages to wrap our crops in. There is no soothing supermarket music at the drop off, just a real family and real food. It is farming economics on the community and family level. That is why it is so great to be running Fiat Farm CSA. We hope you will join us. We want to know your name and who you are. A CSA is not just a business relationship, it is about building relationships and strengthening community bonds. It is not without its risks, but it also certainly is not without its rewards.
Kevin Ford
Farmer
We do things differently at Fiat Farm. We are always looking for ways to be better stewards of the soil we have been given. We realize that we are dependent on the soil, the weather, and God's providence. This encourages us to use practices that will build up soil fertility and conserve the life of the soil. This also has encouraged us to find ways to market our food that brings people into real living contact with us. There is a slogan in organic farming called: "Food with the farmer's face on it." This is a motto we have taken to heart. We will see our CSA members every week. They have invested and trusted us, and we want to be completely transparent. This trust leads to a building up of community bonds, and provides a way for us to provide for ourselves on our little plot of land. CSA members aren't just numbers, but real people getting real food from a real family. We don't have pretty packages to wrap our crops in. There is no soothing supermarket music at the drop off, just a real family and real food. It is farming economics on the community and family level. That is why it is so great to be running Fiat Farm CSA. We hope you will join us. We want to know your name and who you are. A CSA is not just a business relationship, it is about building relationships and strengthening community bonds. It is not without its risks, but it also certainly is not without its rewards.
Kevin Ford
Farmer
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