CSA Open House connects farms with their subscribers

CSA farms and their customers had a chance to meet at the 23rd Annual CSA Coalition Open House at Monona Terrace (Ethan Safran/Madison Commons).

Mar, 8 marked the 23rd annual FairShare CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) Coalition Open House.

This year’s open house, held at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, featured 35 CSA farms and farmers from the greater Madison area. The annual event provides the public an opportunity to talk to farmers directly and learn more about local farms and businesses.

“The purpose is [for CSA farms] to try and sell CSA shares,” Chris Brockel, FairShare’s Executive Director, said. “It’s a marketing opportunity and a way for [local farms] to present their face to consumers. Consumers really love farmers.”

Community Shared Agriculture, or CSA, allows the public to buy a share of a local farm and receive seasonal produce.

“People love the idea of talking directly to farmers,” Julie Garrett, Community Program Manager at FairShare CSA Coalition, said. “It’s satisfying to shake hands with the people who are feeding you directly.”            

She said many CSA farm participants also see the event as an opportunity to converse with share members.

New to the annual event were CSA-supportive local businesses, including Madison Sourdough, Mad Urban Bees and Sassy Cow Creamery.

“Most people that are interested in local farms and vegetables are also interested in local dairy [products],” Sassy Cow Creamery’s Kara Olson said.

The free event also featured a photo booth, kids craft area and story booth for the CSA Legacy Project. Workshops—featuring cooking tips and CSA information—added a touch of connectedness to the open house.

“Part of the whole point of CSA is developing a relationship with your farmer,” Erica Schmitz, a FairShare Board of Director member, said. “The open house allows [the public] to have the opportunity to meet different farmers—to try and find that perfect match between farmer and consumer.”

Two Onion Farm’s Chris McGuire said he sees a lot of interest in CSA in the Madison community.

“[The open house] is a chance to see different farms in one venue at the same time,” he said.

Yet for newer farms, like Inch by Inch Organic Farm, the event provides a forum for networking opportunities. The farm was accepted into FairShare’s Coalition this year.

“We want to get an idea about what kind of interest there might be in our farm in the Madison area,” Inch by Inch’s Jen Rengert said.

In recent years, the open house has drawn more than 2,000 people. Based upon feedback he received throughout the day, Brockel said the year’s event was likely another success.

  “People love farmers,” he said.