Running a CSA Can be Tough

By no means all of the tips I could give on this subject, honestly just the ones that came to mind. BUT, I think there are some goodies in here. if you want me to expand on this subject, lemme know!

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[ethansmith]

I’d add offerings short programs during peak production times. If your running a 12 week program, try offering a 3 week program in July when summer veg is really producing. Many times people are reluctant to commit to a 12 week program, 3 weeks would be like a sample. 9 out of 10 of those people will be back for the longer CSA.

[dak]

We've been surveying our members at the end of every season for the past 10 years or so. The number one complaint over all these years is "too much food", it's also the most common reason people sight for not signing up again. Some years ago we started offerings an every other week share to combat this problem. It has been a pretty good solution, for offering people a smaller share without adding too much to the management burden of the farm. The biggest challenge is that it becomes a little more complicated to track what has been going out and making sure the offerings are varied.

I used to work driving a food recovery truck for the food bank. It was amazing how much food waste goes unseen in our traditional food system. In a town of less then 100, 000 we had no problem filling a couple box trucks every day. I've always felt the CSA is a pretty efficient model in comparison, but it's understandablely more uncomfortable for people to have to be confronted with the waste of a system in thier own kitchen.

[korynorwood]

Thank you for sharing. My wife and I grow tons of food and want to transition from our jobs to running a csa. Growing food is a passion of ours and we want to turn all of our energy to working on our farm instead of doing it only as a hobby. Any extra advice or tips would be appreciated.

[DHouse-zeto]

Excellent tips! Our csa (salad subscription) fam really appreciated the 'how to store your veggies advice'. And yes, go easy on the size of your boxes, ideally we want our customers using everything within the week so they don't feel overwhelmed. Everyone likes something different/weird it's part of the fun- as long as you explain what to do with it and get feed back. I never would've guessed broccoli leaves could be so popular! Like two weeks worth of popular, the novelty usually wears off by then.

[daniellebradley]

One thing I would like to do in the future is offer the herbs as you-pick. I include two herbs every week but I always feel like it is an after thought. There is very little rhyme or reason to what I include, but I know herbs are high value and many of them are almost as good as storage crops as far as always having them on hand. Especially the perennial ones. I think there are advantages to making it you-pick such as the customers will feel more in control of their produce and the portion. It will save me time and will give me a chance to engage with the customers and for them to engage with the farm. There are probably other benefits as well and of course some disadvantages (time jawing, damaged plants) but the most important benefit is that it will get more people coming here for their veggies. I am super small right now and so it’s not a “big deal” to deliver all the shares, but even at this scale I feel that time crunch.

[Aaron-ztef]

I absolutely love your content brother. Really great to see how your style and voice in the videos has developed over the years. As I started with your current videos and worked backwards.

Really appreciate your passion and encouraging nature.

[jenniferpresnell]

Great video! I’d love to see a more in depth video or podcast specifically on running a CSA. Let’s get into those nerdy details! Lol!

[shirleyreid]

Hi there Jesse....introduced to you by my son and so have subscribed as really enjoyed hearing so many useful tips and watching how you have developed your business...Great work. Tap o'Noth mum 😊

[TapoNothFarm]

Loving your channel- new binge watchers from Scotland. We’ve just finished our 4th season growing for veg boxes, 2nd as a CSA and we nodded our heads in agreement many times throughout this .Good stuff.

[samsprouts]

I wish I could work on your farm with you. You're very talented. I work by myself growing sprouts for a living on a 5 acre property that I rent while I build my business and credit score high enough to get a mortgage. Farming outdoors by myself is rough when I work full time sprouting. I have a great equestrian center 5 mins down the road that I can get as much wood shavings as I want, some has been sitting for a decade. Here I go

[hartlovefarms]

Thanks for the tips, I am planning to start a CSA this coming season and this is very helpful. I just started watching your channel and it's been very helpful, especially that we are from the same neck of the woods ( I'm located in Harlan), keep up the great work.

[mrsoundman]

Excellent video! I’m starting a csa next year and honestly nervous and scared about being able to provide every week. You helped with some of those fears. I wish that this was the 2 hour version of tips though! The ones you gave were excellent!

[Tripplebfarms]

I always liked your cooking videos in the beginning. I thought you made things easy to understand. Keep up the great work

[ageofdecadence]

Marketing. Information on how to start and grow your CSA
Please and thank you.
Your doing very great and important things 🙏🤘

[vernonhasenkamp]

Awesome site Jesse, new subscriber, long time gardener.. following you from here on out

[halfacrefarmsbell]

Great info!! I have a very small CSA and these were really helpful!! Thx

[TheMacs]

We garden and make a lot of other home goods that are natural. Will a CSA allow you to add more than vegetation? I know several folks who do food clubs which they can put those things but can a CSA add those things?

[dandan]

Great ideas and your thoughts are helpful.

[Richard-nsew]

Good tips, thinking of starting a CSA in my area, I'm an expat living in Japan. Question, have you ever tried growing Komatsuna? Its an amazing substitute for cooked spinach, cool weather crop. Simple recipe, chopped bacon and Komatsuna fried in a little olive oil, lightly salted. delicious.

[greenthumbgardens]

Great information, thanks Jesse. I have been thinking of starting a small CSA but need to find the time. I already sell to a local farmers market and two country farm stores but a lot of my customers want me to start a CSA. If I start out small say 10 customers I can see how it goes. Growing the food is not a problem and I already grow garlic.