community supported agriculture application for a CSA program in Hampstead, MD, Westminster, New Windsor, Eldersburg, Syksville, FInksburg, Pikesville, Owings MillsHow I Started My Maryland CSA

by Greg Horner

2011 was the first year for Deep Run Farms’ Community-Supported Agriculture program. When I came back to Maryland to work on the family farm with my father, I started looking into new, innovative farming techniques. I wanted to find new ways of marketing our produce, and new ways to get involved with the community.

What better way to do all of those things than to start a Maryland CSA?

community sustainable agriculture, organic farm share, produce wholesalers, produce wholesalers, community support agriculture, produce distributors, csa produceI first started hearing about CSA’s at farmers markets in Maryland and Pennsylvania, where I heard other farmers talk about the success they’d had with their CSA programs. Other farmers who had created Maryland CSA programs were very happy with the results, so I started looking into ways of starting a CSA program at Deep Run Farms.

CSA’s are steadily gaining in popularity all over the country because they’re a great idea, and they benefit everyone involved. Community-Supported Agriculture allows the farmer to increase their financial security by accepting the direct involvement and investment of the community, while also providing lower prices and fresher food to the consumer.

csa Maryland, organic farms Maryland, community supported agriculture Maryland, community supported agriculture Virginia, pumpkin patch Maryland, wholesale vegetable pricesThe more my family and I researched Community-Supported Agriculture, the more we realized that a CSA program would be perfect for Deep Run Farms.  We were, essentially, a wholesale produce operation, and a CSA program would allow us to reach a much larger customer base.

A CSA would also allow us to work much closer with the people in my community and provide them with a much fresher product than they would normally get through any other type of farmer to consumer relationship.

In the winter of 2011, we started our first CSA program at Deep Run Farms. We started by marketing our CSA through our family church where we were met with widespread approval and managed to get many enthusiastic participants.

Our 2011 Maryland CSA program was a great success, and all the participants seemed extremely happy with their CSA membership.

CSA Baltimore, CSA Hampstead, CSA Westminster, CSA Frederick, CSA New Windsor, CSA Taneytown, CSA Pikeville, CSA Eldersburg, CSA Mt. Airy, CSA LittlestownFor the 2012 season we have decided to expand our CSA program to a much larger portion of the community. This year, we hope to double the number of participants.

We have decided to offer both full and half shares to be picked up at the farm or delivered at a few predetermined pick up spots, which will be strategically-located for their convenience to our participants.

CSA programs are growing in popularity because there are so many benefits, both to the local farm, and to the community participants.

CSA’s give people a sense of personal involvement in their local farm, and it’s an opportunity to eat ultra-fresh at below-market prices.

To enroll in our 2012 Maryland CSA Program click here and fill out this form! (Also available to CSA participants in southern Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore)

 

For more information on the Benefits and Details of Involvement in Deep Run Farms’ Maryland CSA, click here!