Growing and Marketing for a Winter CSA in Central Missouri

Project Overview

FNC07-668
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2007: $5,587.50
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: North Central
State: Missouri
Project Coordinator:

Information Products

Commodities

  • Fruits: apples, berries (brambles), pears, plums
  • Nuts: chestnuts, hazelnuts, walnuts

Practices

  • Crop Production: agroforestry, double cropping, forestry, no-till
  • Education and Training: technical assistance, mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research
  • Energy: bioenergy and biofuels, energy use
  • Farm Business Management: agritourism, new enterprise development, feasibility study, value added
  • Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement, riparian buffers, wildlife
  • Pest Management: biological control
  • Production Systems: transitioning to organic, permaculture
  • Soil Management: organic matter
  • Sustainable Communities: community planning, infrastructure analysis, leadership development, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation, public policy, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration, analysis of personal/family life, community services, employment opportunities, social capital, social networks, social psychological indicators, sustainability measures

    Proposal summary:

    We are proposing to develop a community supported agriculture (CSA) business to grow and market cool-season greens and vegetable from November through April in central Missouri. We will experiment with unheated hoop-style and passive solar greenhouse designs as we identify both the economic and logistical feasibility of our idea.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.