North Carolina CSA Programs Connect Farmers and Consumers

As its name suggests, community supported agriculture (CSA) is a collaborative effort between communities and local farms. In practice, farmers offer “shares” of their harvest before the growing season starts. The money generated from the sales of these shares provides essential working capital for the farmers, who in turn provide a bounty of fresh produce, meat and other farm-raised goods for CSA members throughout the season.

See more: Ask a Farmer: Why are CSAs important?

The Farmers’ Daughter

Located in Taylorsville, The Farmers’ Daughter has been offering CSA shares since 2009. Fifth-generation farmer Amy Icenhour Douglas and her husband, Jason, established the farm and country store on land the Icenhour family of neighboring Morning Dew Farms has been farming since 1854. They grow strawberries, blueberries and mixed vegetables, and their CSA program helps provide supplemental income during the slower months.

“We open our shares up for purchase in January and February because those are our leanest months in income,” Amy explains. “It’s really helpful for us and other farms to have that money upfront to kick-start the season.”

The Farmers’ Daughter uses those CSA funds to order seeds, purchase potting soil and greenhouse tomato plants, and pay for strawberry plant weeding, spring crop planting and maintenance labor.

While CSA programs are especially advantageous for farmers, their benefits also extend to the community as a whole by allowing residents to be a part of the local food system.

“It teaches you to eat locally grown produce,” Amy says. “It’s healthier, too. We take pride in growing fresh produce for our community, and we’re helping folks know what grows when. That’s what farmers are here for.”

The family also runs a country store at the farm, and they’re proud of the legacy they’re leaving through their work to feed the community and support the regional food system – a legacy now entering its sixth generation.

“Our children, Lily (16) and Max (15), have helped on the family farm since they were old enough to carry a beach bucket,” Amy says. “They’ve picked alongside us, and they both have a place on the farm if they want it in the future.”

They’re also excited about helping people make the connection between farmers and the food on their table.

“We’re continuing to connect people with where their food comes from,” Amy says. “Big-box stores have taken that connection away. They give you tunnel vision. You walk in, and you don’t see or talk to people. But we build community 1 pound of tomatoes at a time. That’s how we started this farm, and that’s how we’ll continue it.”

Pace Family Farms

About 200 miles to the east in Archer Lodge, the Pace family has been farming for more than 100 years. Once a tobacco farm, Pace Family Farms now practices sustainable agriculture to grow produce of all kinds and raise cattle and pigs. Sixth-generation farmer Michelle Pace Davis runs the daily operations at the farm, which include the growing CSA program offered since the summer of 2018.

“We’ve grown every year since,” Michelle says. “Last year, we had over 300 members.”

Signing up for the Pace Family Farms CSA program gives customers direct access to fresh, high-quality produce. Members pay a one-time fee before the growing season begins and then enjoy weekly and biweekly options for picking up their produce throughout the season.

Michelle especially appreciates the connections the CSA program allows her family to build within the local community.

“The relationships with families and seeing their kids every year and every season is just amazing,” she says. “To think we’re growing the food on their table every week is really cool. It’s also very humbling. The connections and relationships with our customers are top-notch.”

As consumers increasingly seek out healthy food options grown close to home, CSA programs like the one offered at Pace Family Farms are creating exciting new opportunities for farmers and consumers across the state.

“People are really interested in knowing where their food comes from and who grew it,” Michelle says. “It’s exciting to be able to have that conversation when they pick up their box. You can’t get that at a grocery store.”

Michelle also encourages those who haven’t heard of CSA programs or signed up for one before to give it a try this season.

“We’re really trying to branch out with marketing and awareness for people to just try it,” Michelle says. “Come get a box every week or two from our farm. You’re not only supporting our family but also all the staff we’re employing and their families.”