When I first started working as an Extension agent in North
Carolina 10 years ago, I was surprised that there were not more CSAs in the
area. As a graduate student in Florida, I had helped start a CSA and enjoyed
having a working share which allowed me to work on a local organic farm. When I
did my first CSA workshop in Chatham County in 2002 we had about 30-35 CSAs in
the entire state. I just updated my list of NC CSAs last fall (see http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/csafarms.html)
and we now have about 100! I see tremendous interest in
and potential for this model and think it is past time to do another
workshop. I know many area CSAs have a waiting list and many farmers may be
considering this model.

I have planned two workshops for October in Pittsboro. The
first one on October 5 will be an introductory workshop for those who want to
learn more about the CSA concept and determine if it will fit with their goals
and skill set. I will teach this workshop along with a fantastic panel of local
CSA farmers. Each of these farmers takes a unique approach to CSA.

For the second workshop on October 20 I am bringing in
Elizabeth Henderson from Peacework Organic Farm in New York. Elizabeth is a
nationally known activist and author of the book “Sharing the Harvest: a Citizen's
Guide to Community Supported Agriculture”. This all-day workshop will allow us
to go into detail about running an effective CSA from someone with many years
of experience.

You can get all the details on both of these workshops on
Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/workshops.html

Space is limited so register early!