Concord Cooperative CSA

View the project final report

Commodities

• Fruits: melons
• Vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucurbits, eggplant, garlic, greens (leafy), onions, parsnips, peas (culinary), peppers, sweet corn, tomatoes, brussel sprouts
• Additional Plants: herbs

Practices

• Education and Training: farmer to farmer, networking
• Farm Business Management: new enterprise development, budgets/cost and returns, community-supported agriculture, cooperatives, marketing management, feasibility study, agricultural finance, market study
• Sustainable Communities: public participation, urban/rural integration, community services, social networks

A group of farmers will pool their expertise and equipment to develop a multi-farm cooperative that will collectively sell shares to the general public. The alliance will allow farmers to grow crops they know best, increase their market opportunity, develop relationships with consumers, and offer a variety of products that would be challenging to produce on a single farm. Results will be measured through farm participation, subscription rates, cooperative agreements, and success in distribution. Outreach will be primarily be through the local media.