It’s an exciting time for many farms across the country. It’s a time of year when CSA sign-ups begin, and minds are officially shifted to new crops and field planning.
What is a CSA farm share?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular way for consumers to buy locally grown, seasonal food directly from a farmer. It’s a way to know exactly where your food is coming from. Plus, it makes it easy to commit to both healthy eating and local shopping.
How does Community Supported Agriculture work?
Each CSA farm offers a slightly different system, depending on what works best for them and their customers. However, CSAs have a universal objective: to connect farmers directly with their customers and serve as an upfront commitment to the growing season. Receiving payments early on in the season allows the farmer to plan production to precisely meet customer needs and helps to fund the large expenses that occur early in the season, such as seeds, soil, and compost.
Farms typically offer a certain number of “shares” (or memberships) to the public. These members receive an allotment of seasonal produce each week throughout the season. Some CSA models offer a pre-packed box of various veggies, while others offer a “farmers market”- style pickup where members can choose their own assortment of food.
This arrangement offers several benefits for both farmers and consumers. Here are some examples:
Advantages for farmers:
- No “middle-men” means receiving more income for each dollar sold
- Guaranteed income at the start of the season
- Marketing done in “off” season
- Relationships with customers
Advantages for consumers:
- Receive fresh, flavorful produce picked at the peak of ripeness
- Cultivate relationships with the farmers who grow your food
- Gain exposure to new vegetables and cooking techniques
- Develop an understanding of seasonal eating
- Support the local (food) economy
- Understand how food is grown
- Cost-effective
Today, food production shifts to where it is most “efficient,” where chemicals and technology reduce the need for human power and where fair labor becomes quietly ignored. Join our Michigan farmers this year as they tirelessly advocate against this system and feed our community with healthy, clean, and fair food.
Community Supported Agriculture in Michigan
Find a CSA box in your area here and join a CSA to support your local farmer and community! For more resources on CSA share styles and using alternative currencies, head to the Michigan CSA Network for in-depth guides.
Rebecca Henderson is the former West Michigan Local Food Coordinator for Taste the Local Difference and the CSA Manager for Green Wagon Farm.
Article updated on January 27th, 2026.