Jen Greenberg presented this workshop at the 2011 ACORN organic conference and trade show in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  (54 mins)

Sandra Murphy discusses the health benefits of following a seasonal diet at ACORN's 2011 organic conference and trade show in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

At ACORN's 2009 organic conference and trade show, CSA farmer panelists discuss the pros and cons of CSA-type farming operations.

What are CSA's is one of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on the Community Supported Agriculture Movement at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007. (7m:36s)

Sun Root Farm - an example of Community Shared Agriculture in the Maritimes, and is part 2 of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on CSA's at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007.

Sun Root Farm Projects is part 3 of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on CSA's at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007. (6m:50s)

Types of CSA's - Community Shared Agriculture is one of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on CSA's at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007. (7m:50s)

The Challenges of Community Shared Agriculture is one of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on CSA's at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007. (4m:14s)

An Alternative to the Traditional Marketing System is part 6 of a series of 6 videos from Charles Levkoe's presentation on CSA's at the Growing More Organic Conference, Cornwall, Prince Edward Island, March 2007. (5m:43s)

If you're looking for a quick introduction to CSA, watch this visually appealing video from Just Food that covers some of the basics.

Eating Locally all Year Long with Jen Greenberg.

Want to learn more and gain insights into the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model in Atlantic Canada? ACORN's summary of our extensive CSA Trend Report (a three-year trend report) gives you an idea of the trends and risks of the CSA model.

Want to learn more and gain insights into the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model in Atlantic Canada? The ACORNCSA Trend Report, a three-year trend report, is a synthesis of surveys conducted to solicit CSA/farmshare member feedback in 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

ACORN's Guide to CSAs profiles the basics of operating a CSA in Atlantic Canada, as well as overviews of many CSA's in the region. Note: this is a large file (13MB), so it's going to take some time to download. (2009)

Read the notes from a panel at the 2013 ACORN Conference featuring various CSA software options: HarvestHand, Farmigo, and Small Farm Central.

The Ecology Action Centre created this CSA toolkit in 2011 and features food storage guide, nutritional information for commonly grown vegetables, local food and farming facts, and more.

In this report, consultant Gary Morton performs a full financial analysis of three Nova Scotia CSAs, offering best practices and plenty of advice.

Includes articles on the following:

• Exploring an NB Farmers’ Market Network by Tegan Renner
• Organic Profile: Slipp Farms 1784 Ltd.
• Bill C-18: The Agricultural Growth Act & Why It Matters by Keegan Smith
• ACORN Member Survey Results by Melanie Jellett
• CSA Trends in Atlantic Canada (Survey Results) by Laura Mather
• Project & Provincial Updates
• ACORN’s new Board
• Seasonal Food Fix
• Transition Q&A: Livestock in Orchards?
   

The results of ACORN's annual CSA Shareholder/Farmshare survey provide insight into who CSA members are and what are their preferences

Includes articles on the following:

• Message from ACORN Executive Director: Theresa Richards
• Conference Highlights
• Quebec's CSA Network by Theresa Richards & Tegan Renner
• Small-Scale Organic Working Group by Shannon Jones
• The Steps Before The Leap To Organic Certification by Colleen Prentice
• Project Updates
• Volunteer of the Season: Peter Myatt
• Price Tracker
• Seasonal Food Fix

Includes articles on the following:

• Update on Biodegradable Mulches
• Provincial Organic Survey Results
• Project & Provincial Updates
• Upholding Our Organic Standards
• CSA Shareholder & Farm Survey Results
• Seasonal Food Fix

The results of ACORN's annual CSA Shareholder/Farmshare survey provide insight into who CSA members are and what are their preferences

This session from the 2013 ACORN Conference in Moncton consisted of presentations from two CSA farmers, Josh Oulton and Kent Coates, speaking on the challenges, rewards and considerations of scaling up your CSA farm business. Some particular issues to consider were: Marketing, Delivery, Communication. Construction, Presort and wash, Production

At ACORN's 2013 Conference, Amanda Hachey of the Cooperative Enterprise Council of New Brunswick, gives an overview of co-operative marketing options for organic farms, including multi-farm CSAs.

This research brief from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems provides two examples of CSAs joining together to form networks to strengthen CSA farms in their region.

This SARE-funded book details the concept of a multi-farm CSA by sharing the development of Local Harvest CSA, an eight-farm cooperative CSA.

Although American, this resource gives valuable guidance on the development of CSA membership agreements and lots of samples to consider.

Tips on proper storage for vegetables and fruit at home

Tips on proper storage of vegetables and fruit at home from Tipi Produce Farm in Wisconsin

FairShare CSA Coalition features an array of food preservation links on their website.

While the data is outdated (1996), this research brief from the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems provides interesting price comparisons for CSAs, farmers' markets, health food stores, and grocery stores.

While this Soil Association resource has some UK content that isn't relevant, the vast majority offers helpful guidance on starting up a CSA from a community or organizational perspective.

French only

Key considerations for starting a CSA regarding produciton, labour and land from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. 

Key considerations for starting a CSA regarding members, finances and marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. 

Some great insights from CSA producers themselves on starting up a CSA (originally published by COG).

FairShare CSA Coalition's website features a number of crop planning resources and examples.

This COG publication is an invaluable resource for CSA producers. Includes links to free templates.

Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia has created nutritional information fact sheets (including some recipes!) for beets, chard, kale, parsnip, rhubarb, rutabaga, and zucchini.

CSA members need to know what to do with the produce you give them! Roxbury Farm details concise descriptions of lesser known vegetables and storage and culinary tips for nearly 40 types of vegetables.

Small Farm Central offers CSA member assembler and other technical support to CSAs.

Harvest Hand offers CSA management software and works to create new media solutions that strengthen regional food systems.

Farmigo offers CSA management software

Three sessions of CSA "school" by Michael Kilpatrick of Kilpatrick Family Farm in New York, plus plenty of other links for more CSA resources. 

This Fix.com blog written by Halifax-based Andrea Moore provides a good overview of why CSAs are a great choice and what to expect when signing up for one. While geared to a US audience, there is valuable content and great graphics to boot!

CSA is a two-way street. What can you do to be a great CSA member?

In this blog post, Robin Schirmer of The Local Beet suggests the best ways to find a CSA and asks potential CSA members to think about what makes a good CSA member.

Food writer Kathy Erway shares some of the pros and cons to consider before joining a CSA.

 If you decide that a CSA is for you, be the best CSA customer you can be! Check out these tips on how to do just that.

Eager to sign up for a share in a CSA? Here's what you need to know to make the most out of a CSA membership.

A one-page canning guide that provides all the information you need to start canning vegetables!

Preserving the sweet taste of summer fruits is made easy with this handy one-page guide on canning.

This  blog written by Kimberly Hasselbrink features straightforward and seasonal recipes alongside beautiful photos.

Freezing fruit is the easiest way to save the great flavors of local fruit to enjoy later in the year. Use this helpful guide to freeze all of your favourite seasonal fruits.

Find everything you'd like to know about storing specific fruits and vegetables.

An excellent online resource, packed with tips and tricks for first-time and experienced home canners.

When stored properly, fresh fruits and vegetables from your CSA box can last well after the harvest. This comprehensive examines fruits and vegetables individually to offer the best storing techniques.

When food is not stored or handled properly, dangerous bacteria can develop. To learn more about  proper handling techniques, refer to this guide published by the Mapleton Teaching Kitchen.

A great introduction or refresher on fundamental kitchen skills, covering everything from recipe cooking terms to measuring ingredients.

FaireShare CSA's website features an organized and comprehensive guide to food preservation, offering tips on canning, dehydrating, freezing, and fermenting that will help you extend the season of your seasonal fruits and vegetables.

New to CSA? Check out Just Food's introduction, which explores the benefits of CSA, its history, and frequently asked questions.

This is a blog from the Food Action Committee of the Ecology Action Centre, based in Halifax, NS. On this blog, you'll find information on CSAs, seasonal eating, preserving, root cellars, and much more.

This University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems research brief demonstrates the significant financial savings a CSA program can offer.

Check out Roxbury Farm's Cooking and Storage Tips, which features an extensive list of vegetables and fruits accompanied by a number of helpful tips.

Fresh vegetables are nature's goodness. Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia has compiled a handy list of  vegetables along with their nutritional information, cooking methods, and recipes.

Community supported agriculture is a great way to bring the farm closer to your kitchen table. Halifax-based biologist and writer, Andrea Moore, explains the risks and rewards of CSA as well as tips for finding the right fit.

Bruce Bradley, a former processed food marketer with General Mills, shares how buying a CSA share with a local organic farm helped him disconnect from unhealthy eating decisions and changed the way he approaches meal-planning.

Kate McDonough, author of The City Cook, shares some of her tips on cooking from a CSA box.

It takes a lot of planning to use a weekly share to its greatest potential. Here's a peek at the process for keeping up with a CSA box.