How Florida CSAs Connect Farmers and Locals

In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows local consumers to purchase a share of a harvest, prepaying so that farmers have the money they need to invest in seeds and other supplies upfront. Then, subscribers enjoy a set of vegetables or other produce weekly or biweekly for an entire growing season. Here in Florida, these programs help farmers operate with financial security, deepen relationships with locals and broaden access to local produce at the peak of freshness.

See more: State Farmers Markets Ship Florida Commodities Across the Country

Healthy Variety, Less Waste

Cetta Barnhart runs Seed Time Harvest Farms out of a passion for helping small- to mid-sized farmers and her local neighbors.

Ten years ago, she saw how a supply chain issue left a whole field of zucchini to rot. In an effort to prevent food waste, Barnhart determined that there needed to be an outlet for overproduction that also brought food variety to local consumers. 

“One farmer had an overproduction and gave me a good price to glean the excess, which I was able to harvest, sell and give away,” Barnhart explains. “We were able to put some cash in his pocket and give him publicity to promote his farm.”

Barnhart sees her customers try new vegetables, such as the okra-like tindora, and find new favorites, all while giving farmers new revenue streams. Her CSA shares also include products she makes with the produce, like a tonic called Genie in a Bottle made with turmeric, ginger and coconut water, which her customers say helps with digestion and energy. 

“This keeps community support right here, putting your dollars to work,” Barnhart says. “It’s just being a friendly neighbor.”

Sustainability and Quality

Chris and Eva Worden of Worden Farm offer a farmstand and produce credit options, but their Farm Box membership option is also a popular choice, where subscribers receive a mixed box of produce weekly throughout the season.

“It’s farmer’s choice,” Eva says. “You open the box like a contestant on Chopped, and you cook whatever surprise produce you get.” 

All the CSA administrators mentioned that the boxes offer customers a chance to sample produce they wouldn’t otherwise choose and discover new favorite foods. 

The customers are getting the most flavorful and sustainable version of these new foods, too. Worden Farm is certified organic and promotes new techniques for sustainability through internships and education efforts. 

“There are benefits beyond the products themselves,” Eva says. “More people are becoming aware that we need to take responsibility for our environment, and CSAs make it easy if there are farmers in your area doing it.” 

Freshness and the Community

Rodger and Carol Bilbrey of Bilbrey Family Farm thoughtfully take great care of their CSA members and farmstand customers. They pick the produce either the day before or the same morning it is distributed to consumers. In addition, they offer a trade-out box in case a family wants to switch something they won’t use for something they will. 

CSA members take on some of the risks as well, like how weather can affect crops, becoming allies with the farmers. One year, an untimely freeze hurt production, so the CSA skipped a week, and their members understood. Bilbrey Family Farms offered extra produce later in the season when they had an abundance, sharing both the tough times and the good with their participants. 

Bilbrey Family Farm follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program rules and regulations, resulting in produce that is free from herbicides. Connecting over this high-quality produce on pickup day has become another major benefit to members. 

“CSA pickup is an enjoyable social outing for members, where they can talk to each other and share recipes and ideas,” Rodger says. “They also have a direct connection to Carol and me, and if they have issues with their own gardens, they can ask us what to do next.” 

See more: Florida Farmers Grow Fresh Watermelon for Consumers Across the Country

A Closer Look

CSAs create a new market for people to find local foods and try new varieties. Farms are continually producing fresh commodities to ensure happy customers and partaking in sustainable practices to ensure a healthy environment: 

• Bilbrey Family Farm has about a 65% retention rate for members in their CSA year to year. 
• Worden Farm has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Southwest Florida Water Management District on micro-irrigation and other water conservation projects for improving environmental quality. 
• Worden Farm uses thousands of trees to promote soil and water conservation, serve as windbreaks and provide wildlife habitat. 
• Seed Time Harvest Farms connects farms and consumers in five different counties of Florida: Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla.

Sources: Bilbrey Family Farm, Seed Time Harvest Farm, Worden Farm