What is a CSA?

A CSA is community supported agriculture.

 
CSA's focus on producing high quality foods for a local community and they often use organic farming methods, which are better for the environment. Organic farming methods use all natural techniques to help produce naturally healthy crops. Where as industrial agriculture uses chemical pesticides and fertilizers in there crop production. These chemicals often leach into the ground water and can have harmful effects on the environment.

Most commonly, they provide a system of food sharing to the consumer for the duration of the growing season. The consumer typically gets a whole season budget for a set number of weeks. The grower and consumer take part in a common-pricing system where they can negotiate the prices and jointly accept the budget. The system provides a guaranteed market for the farmers and it allows for the financing of the farming operation throughout the year. The consumer and growers then both accept the risk and reward of the growing season. 

Vegetables and fruit are the most common CSA crops. However the consumer is only able to purchase what is locally grown. Generally the local CSA will provide delivery, pick-ups or have drop off places weekly or monthly for subscribers. Locally the Algoma Food Network has documented the growth of the local CSA's in the area. An article is available online titled "Community Supported Agriculture" here is the link. 

 Why they are important:

CSA's are another way to reduce the amount of pesticides and chemicals that are brought into our lives through mainstream farming and it reduces the amount of carbon emissions because fresh produce doesn't have to be transported from far away destinations. Also it helps out the local economy.

So if anyone is interested in CSA's locally or needs more info let us know, we want to hear from you.

You can join a CSA by talking to local farmers at the Algoma Farmer's Market, site with info is here

Here is a link to a local farm that sells antibiotic ad hormone free meat: Penokean Hill Farms

Why is antibiotic and hormone free meat better? 

Because of crowding, stress-inducing conditions, and unnatural diets that often occur in the conventional meat and dairy industries, antibiotics are needed to fend off disease. In addition to antibiotics, animals are also given growth hormones— to stimulate year-round high production of milk, for instance. It is estimated that as much as 80-90% of all antibiotics given to humans and animals are not fully digested or broken down and eventually pass through the body and enter the environment intact through wastewater and runoff. When bacteria in the environment interact with these antibiotics, they may transform into more resistant strains that pose a greater risk to both animals and humans. By choosing hormone-free and antibiotic-free meat and dairy products, you can help keep the environment clean and healthy.

The use of rBGH (a hormone that is injected) in cows to increase milk production has shown to cause an alarming rise in the number of deformed calves and dramatic increases in mastitis, a painful bacterial infection of the udder which causes inflammation, swelling, and pus and blood secretions into milk. To treat mastitis outbreaks, the dairy industry relies on antibiotics. Critics of rBGH point to the subsequent increase in antibiotic use (which contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria).

Milk from rBGH-treated cows contains higher levels of IGF-1 (Insulin Growth Factor-1). Humans also naturally have IGF-1, and increased levels in humans have been linked to colon and breast cancer.

These are good reasons to buy organic and local meat and dairy products, and support your local economy!

Kerry will be attending the Farmer's Market soon and documenting it for the blog. Keep reading!