Community-Supported Agriculture as a Context for Environmental Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Food Communities, Garden Communities: Underlying Lessons, Limits, and Liminality

Abstract

This project investigates Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs as contexts for environmental education. Using mixed methods, I conducted ten case studies, collecting qualitative and quantitative data through over 100 hours of participant observation, organizational document analysis, and 31 semi-structured interviews with shareholders and growers in the Cincinnati area. To gain a regional perspective, I surveyed 140 CSA growers in OH, KY, and IN. Findings indicate that CSA programs and shares offered are growing. Many CSAs provide recipes, newsletters, farm tours, and classes. Others train new farmers, conduct research, build community partnerships, and organize outreach, volunteer, service learning, and social events. The data reveals and a rich network of people, organizations, and resources working together to build alternative agrifood systems.

Author

• Alan Wight, University of Cincinnati