Re: csa names

[Allan Balliett]

Woody -

I don't think I've been clear on my 'nobody understands CSA' laments.

Last year when our article ran in the post, we sold 160 shares in two days. I talked to a lot of people who called. They were DESPERATE to FIND A CSA! CSA **IS** the word that drew them in.

Unfortunately, to most, "CSA" means 'a box of fresh groceries each week for the growing season.'

So, what it means is that "CSA" is a good marketing term if you want to sell your crop, even in advance. What I'm lamenting is that "CSA" today is NOT the inspired associative economics that brought you and I into this realm.

I'm Fresh and Local CSA this season. That url was available, Fresh and Local itself is not, nor is Freshnlocal.

One thing I've run into a lot this past two years is people who are interested in lowering standards to appeal to more and more people. I guess that's what we call 'marketing,' pulling enough of the grit out of a topic to make it appealing to the masses. That's our job as BD growers: holding the standard, although it is difficult.

On the social movement known as 'csa,' I have to say that I continue to feel that the BDA failed to give the support to this movement that it needed in the beginning and it waifed over into the conventional organics realm, stripped of most of its community building. I can't save CSA by myself. I can grow very healthy vegetables by myself, so, that's what I'm going to do: fill the demand known as "CSA" and try to stop feeling so sad for the opportunities that have been lost for both consumer and grower.

Hence, no need to explain 'CSA' to my customers. They already 'know.'

-Allan