In the developed world we go to the super market for food, the gas station for fuel, and we have utility companies providing us with water and electricity…right? Well on the search for sustainable growth, am I the only one who feels like our lack of energy control places us in a rather vulnerable position? Seriously, the other day on my blog I posed a question ~ \”Who is in control of your energy?\” If you can honestly say that you have outright control of one or more of your energy inputs…quite frankly, I would be rather surprised.

So what\’s the answer?

On Monday April the 4th I visited my first CSA, Sweet Pea CSA Farm. Now what exactly is a CSA you ask?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

CSAs are businesses linking local farmers and customers. Customers buy weekly or bi-weekly shares of ultra-fresh produce. Paying in full at the beginning of the season, when the Farmer really needs the money, customers receive organic or chemical free produce for the remainder of the season.

Some CSAs have a four season offering, while others like Sweet Pea, provide two to three seasons of produce. Amanda and Andy, owners and operators of Sweet Pea, also indicated that the local CSA concept is all about relationships…they truly care for their customers! The food they grow goes from field to family in under 24 hours. (More to come on Sweet Pea in later posts).

Ultimately, the thing I love most about the CSA concept is that your neighbor is growing your food! Your food is chemical free and your dollars stay local. If corporate truck drivers go on strike…you still have food. When other businesses have layoffs or leave town, you find comfort in knowing you support local enterprise. In a world where the majority have lost control of just about every other energy input in their lives…a CSA customer has taken back some control in a peaceful and healthy manner.

On the search for sustainable development solutions, I feel it is enormously beneficial to have the ability to provide your own energy. CSAs not only provide healthy food, they promote healthy community development. Check out a CSA near you! (if you have CSA links…post them in the comment box).

Thanks for reading and make it a great day!

Stephen

P.S. Do you have any experience with a CSA farm?

(In upcoming posts, Amanda is going to show me the keys to planting my own garden!).