Did you know that female producers now make up 36% of farmers in America? And that in the North Bay of California, 100% of CSA farms are owned or co-owned by women? Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way to buy local food directly from a farmer. You purchase a “share” and become a farm “member.” The farm delivers a box of farm-fresh goods regularly throughout the season. However, CSA is much more than just a weekly delivery of food; it’s a powerful investment in your health, community, and local economy. It’s a partnership between farms and consumers that keeps independent businesses thriving, helps families eat seasonal produce, and charges both local farmers and consumers alike with the responsibility of building a strong, equitable food system.

As for the farmers themselves, CSA also means cultivating more than just crops. Farmers, like the women showcased in this beautiful photography series by Loren Hansen, must work extra hard to outreach to new members, educate them about the contents of their box, provide recipes, oftentimes open up their farms for visits and create an immersive experience that goes way beyond a trip to the produce aisle of the grocery store or even the farmers market. But for these farmers, it’s worth the extra effort. Their inspiration comes from getting to facilitate a deep connection between land and those who rely on it, between the field and plate, watching families engage with where their food comes from.

This series was made possible by Community Alliance with Family Farmers, ReFrame Hair Gallery & Davines, as part of the “Beauty, from the Ground Up” campaign” promoting CSA across the country.

FEATURING:
– Laguna Farm
– Coyote Family Farm
– Petaluma Bounty
– Singing Frogs Farm
– Green Star Farm
– Tara Firma Farm
– Bramble Tail Homestead
– Little Moon Farm