Inherent in the philosophy of Community Supported Agriculture is a commitment of stewardship toward the land. This translates to organic growing practices and techniques such as crop rotation, which returns important nutrients to the soil. In Colorado, depending on the farm, members can expect a bounty of tomatoes, squashes, peppers, chilies, beans, berries, melons and other fruits, sweet corn, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, leafy greens and numerous fresh herbs. The variety of produce changes as the season progresses, but there are usually eight to 15 different items available at a time. One share in a CSA farm usually provides ample produce for a household of two to four people.
Most farms require payment for the total share early in the season.
The length of the harvest can vary from farm to farm and in response to growing conditions, but most CSA farms provide members with weekly distributions from late spring through October. With so many different types of produce harvested, it's no wonder that first-time members often admit to being intimidated about what to do with all the food. Yet, with a little experimentation and recipe sharing, intimidation quickly dissolves, making way for healthier eating habits. Because no matter how hard they've tried, no one has been able to find the one ingredient in fruits and vegetables responsible for the many health benefits observed. For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office .