Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

This report analyzes the success factors of small farms, as defined by the amount of acreage in farming, the market value of agricultural products sold, and the number of small farms, in rural California Counties. These data are then compared with the location of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in the study counties and examined to see if there are greater successes in the counties with higher CSA involvement. While CSAs are more abundant in successful agriculture counties, these programs are not responsible for all successes and are rather one component in a larger consumer movement toward sustainable agriculture and local food options. / text

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-138). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

abstract / Japanese Studies / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The market for local organic foods in the United States has grown tremendously in recent years. Compared to a meager existence just a decade ago, local organic options now flourish through the form of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), thousands of farmers markets, community cooperative grocery stores, and upscale restaurants. Interestingly, the greatest percentage of growth in farmers markets in the US has occurred in the last 2-3 years during the Great Recession despite economic downturn. This changing nature of agriculture and new developments of alternative niche markets have captured the attention of scholars. Most studies tend to focus on economic, organizational, or even nutritional elements reflected in the food industry. Less emphasis, however, has been devoted to the roles of cultural consumption, values, and desires that have propagated the swift and substantial growth of this movement. Direct sales in local organic niche markets and the CSA model provide an atmosphere for repetitive interpersonal interaction between farmer and buyer around a product infused with shared meaning. I utilize ethnographic data from an extended case of a local organic farm in Southern Arizona and interviews with over 50 of their CSA members. This dissertation addresses how and why both producers and consumers co-produce alternative visions and meanings that sustain a viable local niche food economy. I argue that the members involved in this niche market sector hold unified reactions against the global expansionary aims of food corporations. Inverse to market forces, the cultural and economic ethos driving this movement originates from appreciation for craft production as an expression of commodity de-fetishization, personal investment and embeddedness in local economies, and desires for authenticity in community and consumption.

Thesis (M.S. in environmental science)--Washington State University, August 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Aug. 5, 2009). "School of Earth and Environmental Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-154).

abstract: Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs) have become a viable local source of fresh agricultural goods and represent a potentially new way to improve fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals and families. Studies concerning CSAs have focused mainly on characteristics of the typical CSA member and motivations and barriers to join a CSA program. The purpose of this study was to examine whether behavior and attitudinal differences existed between current CSA members and a nonmember control group. Specifically, ecological attitudes, eating out behaviors, composting frequency, and family participation in food preparation were assessed. This study utilized an online survey comprising items from previous survey research as well as newly created items. A total of 115 CSA member and 233 control survey responses were collected. CSA members were more likely to be older, have more education, and have a higher income than the control group. The majority of CSA members surveyed were female, identified as non-Hispanic and Caucasian, earned a higher income, and reported being the primary food shopper and preparer. The majority of members also noted that the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables they ate and served their family increased as a result of joining a CSA. CSA members were more ecologically minded compared to the control group. Frequency of eating out was not significantly different between groups. However, eating out behaviors were different between income categories. CSA members spent significantly more money at each meal eaten away from home and spent significantly more money on eating out each week. In both cases, controlling for income attenuated differences between groups. CSA members composted at a significantly higher rate and took part in other eco-friendly behaviors more often than the control group. Finally, no significant difference was evident between the two groups when analyzing family involvement in food preparation and meal decision-making. Overall, some significant attitudinal and behavioral differences existed between CSA members and non-CSA members. Further research is necessary to examine other distinctions between the two groups and whether these differences occur as a result of CSA membership. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Nutrition 2011

Runtom i världen finns många modeller, mål och visioner för en hållbar utveckling, och många av dessa kan kopplas till jordbruk. Livsmedelsproduktion är en av de viktigaste industrierna vi har och är även källan till en stor del av utsläpp, färskvattenanvändning, övergödning och annan problematik kring miljö, ekonomi, levnadsvillkor och mycket mer. För att säkra en hållbar utveckling för samhället i stort är alltså produktionen av mat en viktig pusselbit, men utvecklingen de senaste hundra åren har gått mot en intensifiering, globalisering och mekanisering av jordbruket utan dess like. Som en motreaktion på detta har flera alternativa livsmedelssystem utvecklats med olika skalor, utgångspunkter och resultat. Ett av dessa system är konceptet Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), eller andelsjordbruk som det kallas på svenska. Konceptet utvecklades redan på 60-talet i Europa och Japan och kom till USA på 80-talet där det sedan dess har expanderat enormt, men i Sverige är det fortfarande relativt nytt och kunskapen kring andelsjordbruk är liten. De flesta av det 50-tal CSA-gårdar som finns i landet har tillkommit de senaste åren och för konsumenter, lagstiftare och jordbrukare finns ännu inte det forskningsunderlag som krävs för att fatta beslut kring och släppa fram utvecklingen av konceptet. Detta arbete ämnar att lyfta fram de sätt som CSA-modellen kan bidra till en hållbar utveckling. Detta genom att genomföra en litteraturstudie om modellen och hållbara livsmedelssystem i allmänhet och sedan koppla resultaten till de uppsatta målen för hållbar utveckling som finns på global, nationell och lokal nivå. Från resultaten görs även jämförelser med en fallstudie-referens, CSA-gården Under Tallarna i Södertälje. Resultaten indikerar att CSA har mycket att bidra med i flera aspekter av hållbar utveckling. Utöver hållbar produktion av livsmedel finns det nyttor bland annat inom hälsa, ekonomi, utveckling av landsbygd, lokalsamhällen och kultur. För att uppnå de satta hållbarhetsmålen krävs en omställning av livsmedelssystemet och det konventionella jordbruket i dess kärna. Resultatet av studien visar att CSA-konceptet, med stöd från intressenter i och kring livsmedelssystemet, har potential att möjliggöra en sådan omställning. / Around the world there are many models, goals and visions for sustainable development, and many of these can be linked to agriculture. Food is vital for humans and thus food production is one of the most important industries we have. It is also the source of a large part of emissions, fresh water use, eutrophication and other problems concerning the environment, economy, living conditions and much more. Thus, to ensure sustainable development for society as a whole, sustainable food systems are an important piece of the puzzle, but the development over the past hundred years has gone towards an intensification, globalization and mechanization of agriculture like never before. As a response to this, several alternative food systems have been developed with different scales, starting points and results. One of these systems is the concept of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) (Swe. Andelsjordbruk). The concept was developed in the 1960s in Europe and Japan and came to the USA in the 80s where since then the number of CSA-farms has increased to thousands, but in Sweden it is still relatively new and the knowledge about this form of cooperative agriculture is small. Most of the 50 or so CSA farms in the country have started in recent years and for consumers, legislators, and farmers, the research that has been done in other countries has yet to be done in Sweden in order to allow them to make decisions and open up for further development of the concept. This work aims to highlight the ways in which the CSA model can contribute to sustainable development. This is done by conducting a literature study of the model and sustainable food systems in general and then linking the results to the set goals for sustainable development that exist at global, national and local level. Aswell as comparing to a case study reference, a CSA-farm in Södertälje called Under Tallarna. The results indicate that CSA has much to contribute in several aspects of sustainable development. In addition to sustainable production of food, there are benefits, for example, in health, economy, development of rural areas, local communities, and culture. Achieving the set sustainability goals requires a transformation of the current food system and the conventional agriculture at its core. The result of the study shows that the CSA concept, with the support of stakeholders throughout the food system, has the potential to facilitate such a transition.

O modelo convencional de organização da cadeia de produção e distribuição de alimentos é baseado na dependência cada vez maior do capital financeiro e industrial, no uso de agroquímicos, adubos, fertilizantes industriais e de outras técnicas provenientes da Revolução Verde, na livre circulação de mercadorias nos países e na inserção de intermediários na cadeia de distribuição. Esse modelo representa um movimento de mercantilização da agricultura e prejudica a autonomia dos indivíduos sobre a sua reprodução material e social, fazendo com que a sociedade enfrente um incremento de pobreza, insegurança alimentar, êxodo rural, danos à saúde e ao meio ambiente, assim como uma perda do senso de comunidade e de solidariedade. Além da compreensão do conceito e das formas de expressão do movimento de mercantilização, a lente teórica, que tem origem em Karl Polanyi, possibilita capturar o conceito da pluralidade e da coexistência dos princípios de regulação econômica e também do contramovimento como uma forma de resistência e de resgate da autonomia relativa dos indivíduos. É nesse contexto que a Agricultura Sustentada pela Comunidade (CSA) surge como uma possibilidade de contramovimento ao mercado convencional de alimentos ao adicionar uma qualidade ao ato de alimentar-se pela produção agroecológica e ao reconectar produção e consumo mediante o encurtamento da cadeia de distribuição. O problema que norteou a pesquisa desta dissertação foi compreender quais seriam as formas de contramovimento que se configuram na Agricultura Sustentada pela Comunidade diante da generalização do processo de mercantilização. Por isso, o objetivo geral consistiu em compreender e analisar, em uma experiência real de CSA situada na região sudeste do Brasil, os padrões de troca não mercantil em operação e os fatores que favorecem a autonomia relativa e elevam a coesão social de produtores e consumidores que participam da experiência observada. O método empregado foi a observação participante, utilizando as técnicas da etnografia. Em termos gerais, os resultados encontrados na pesquisa sinalizam que os indivíduos não são passivos diante dos efeitos da mercantilização e articulam-se em movimentos que buscam proteção e ganho de autonomia. Os resultados confirmam a hipótese inicial de que nas atividades de CSA coexistem, com a troca de mercado, outros princípios de regulação da economia, especificamente a reciprocidade, que aparece em diversos momentos, desde as motivações para o engajamento dos indivíduos até a forma em que a própria troca é realizada. Isso porque ao privilegiar nas suas trocas o ato em vez do objeto e do interesse privado, há menção a uma relação mais humana que permite o estabelecimento de amizade, solidariedade, tolerância, fidelidade e comprometimento mútuos, mas, principalmente, possibilita a ampliação da autonomia relativa dos indivíduos e o estabelecimento de um senso de comunidade, que se faz em torno do alimento. Na pesquisa, foram identificados três fatores específicos desta eficácia: a forma de produzir o alimento, oposto ao da agricultura tradicional, o encurtamento da cadeia e as atividades em conjunto mobilizadas pelo grupo de agricultores e consumidores. Desta forma, a Agricultura Sustentada pela Comunidade constitui um contramovimento à mercantilização na agricultura e aparece como uma alternativa eficaz na construção da autonomia daqueles que estão entrelaçados nessa rede de alimentos e na ampliação da coesão social. Os resultados e conclusões apresentados ao longo da dissertação ganham relevância na medida em que contribuem com novas informações e possibilidades de atuação na reversão do êxodo rural, na diminuição da pobreza, na redução de gastos públicos em saúde com uma alimentação mais saudável, assim como na promoção de iniciativas de preservação do meio ambiente. / The conventional model of organization of the production and distribution of food chain is based on the increasing dependence on the financial and industrial capital, the use of agrochemicals, fertilizers, industrial fertilizers and other techniques from the Green Revolution, the free circulation of goods in countries and the inclusion of intermediaries in the distribution chain. This model represents a movement of commodification of agriculture and undermines the autonomy of individuals concerning their material and social reproduction, leading society to a status of poverty, food insecurity, rural exodus, damage to health and environment, as well as to a loss of sense of community and solidarity. In addition to understanding the concept and the ways of expression of the commodification movement, the theoretical approach, based on Karl Polanyi, enables to capture the concept of plurality and coexistence of the principles of economic regulation and also the countermovement as a form of resistance and rescue of the individuals’ autonomy. In this context, the Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) emerges as a possibility of countermovement to the conventional food market to add quality to the act of feeding by the agroecological production and to reconnect production and consumption by shortening the supply chain. The problem that guided the research of this dissertation was to understand what are the forms of countermovement that are present in the Community-Supported Agriculture before the generalization of the commodification process. Therefore, the overall objective was to understand and analyze, in a real experience of CSA located in southeast region of Brazil, the patterns of non-market exchange and the elements that favor the relative autonomy and increase social cohesion among producers and consumers participating in the observed experience. The method used was participant observation, using the techniques of ethnography. In general, the results found in the study show that individuals are not passive before the effects of commodification and they articulate in movements that seek protection and autonomy. The results confirm the initial hypothesis that, in the CSA, activities coexist with the exchange market, such as other principles of regulation of economy, especially reciprocity, which appears at various times, in motivation for engagement and in the way the exchange itself is performed. This happens because, when they prioritize their exchanges act instead of the object and the private interest, they develop a more human relationship that allows the establishment of friendship, solidarity, tolerance, mutual fidelity and commitment and also enable the expansion of autonomy of individuals and establish a sense of community, which is around the food. In this study, we have identified three specific elements that contribute to the effectiveness of the process: the way of producing food, as opposed to traditional agriculture, the shortening of chain and the activities in group promoted by the group of farmers and consumers. Thus, the Community-Supported Agriculture is a countermovement to the commodification in agriculture and an effective alternative in the construction of autonomy of those who are part of this net of food and in the expansion of social cohesion. The results and conclusions presented throughout the dissertation are relevant since they contribute with new information and possibilities of actions to slowdown rural exodus, alleviate poverty, reduce public spending on health with a healthier diet, as well as to promote the development of initiatives to preserve the environment.

This thesis deals with community-supported agriculture (CSA) and focuses on the situation in the Czech Republic. The aim of the work is to analyse community-supported agriculture in the Czech Republic and find out, how these forms of it are spread. The theoretical part includes general overview of agriculture not only in the Czech Republic, but also in other countries in the world. The main part focuses on regions of the Czech Republic and their situation in community-supported agriculture. All necessary data are obtained by pilot interviews, email communication with farmers and publicly available databases. The data are evaluated using MS Excel, ArcGis geographic program and descriptive statistics.