The local food movement has seen farms across the country offer CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) programs, in which customers pay up front and receive weekly shares of vegetables and other farm products during the growing season.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Explore Local initiative is hosting a one-day CSA workshop on Nov. 18 at the provincial building in Lacombe.
“We’ll examine the basics of starting a CSA venture,” said Karen Goad, provincial farm direct-marketing specialist in Grande Prairie.
“It’s a great opportunity for new farmers who want to start with a CSA enterprise as well as those looking to expand by adding a CSA to an existing farm-direct operation. Participants can learn from the experience of others to gain the knowledge and skills needed to shorten their CSA learning curve and enhance their business success.”
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The workshop will look at what to expect when starting a CSA, costs, pricing, regulations, and the On Farm Food Safety program. Karen Sollid of Sunhill Gardens in Camrose and Nolan Fisher of Fisher Farms near Didsbury will speak about how they started their CSA and offer tips for success.
The workshop runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the $35 fee includes snacks and lunch. The registration deadline is Nov. 12. To register, contact Delores at 780-427-4611. For more information, contact Karen Goad at 780-538-5629 or by email.
