New Release: Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook

College Park, MD – Just a few years ago, community supported agriculture (CSA) enterprises were few and far between. Today, more than 2,500 thrive across the country. As CSA numbers increase, however, so does the need for innovative practices to keep them running efficiently and profitably. Written by former CSA growers and members Scott Franzblau and Jill Perry, Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook offers clear and straightforward guidance on an innovative practice that is helping CSAs stay strong and viable over the long term: cooperative marketing.  

The 126-page book details how farmers can use CSA cooperatives to best market their produce, including advice on staffing, volunteer boards, distribution, legal topics and other practical information.  

The book also includes a chapter on crop selection, calculating shares and adjusting to seasonal change, as well as a series of multifarm CSA profiles from around the country. Readers can adapt the book’s sample documents to their situations, gaining practical help with planning, marketing agreements, packing standards and the organizational process.  

A CSA is considered a partnership between farmer and member, and Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook offers a model for how these partnerships can work best to reduce labor costs, assure sales and address the quality requested by CSA members.

Visit the Learning Center to download Local Harvest: A Multifarm CSA Handbook for free or to order print copies ($3.99 plus $5.95 s/h). (Please specify title requested when ordering by mail.) Discounts are available on orders of 10 or more. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. Call 301/374-9696 for more information on bulk, rush or international shipments. 

Editors: Contact  Sean McGovern to request review copies. Downloads of  cover images are available. 

Published by SARE Outreach for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and features work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA. SARE’s mission is to advance - to the whole of American agriculture - innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. SARE Outreach operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. For more information visit www.sare.org.

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