Saturday, January 24 | 11am-1pm

Wheatsfield Community Room

Stop by our annual CSA Fair to learn more about CSAs, meet local CSA farmers and sign-up for their 2026 offerings.

Farms Attending:

Minerva’s Meadow, State Center

Mustard Seed Farm, Ames

Raccoon Forks Farm, Redfield

Root to Rise Farm, Ames

Thankful Harvest, Holstein

CSA is all about community and connection:

You support local farmers directly, help them with critical early-season income, and in return receive fresh, seasonal food while deepening your connection to how food is grown near you.

What CSA Means

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for you to buy local, seasonal food directly from farmers. Instead of buying produce at a store week-by-week, you purchase a “share” (like a season-long subscription or membership) from a farm before the growing season starts. In return, you receive a weekly box of fresh, seasonal produce — often including vegetables, sometimes fruits, eggs, flowers, bread, meat, or other farm products — throughout the season.

How It Works

Seasonal Share

  • You pay up front for the season and then get a weekly box of farm-fresh items during harvest months.

  • Typically you pick up your share at a designated location, or some CSAs even deliver.

Shared Risk & Reward

  • CSA membership isn’t just a purchase — it’s a partnership. Farmers get early season funding that helps with supplies, seeds, labor, and cash flow.

  • Members accept that each season’s harvest can vary due to weather, pests, and other farming realities — so you share in both bountiful weeks and leaner ones.

Benefits

For Farmers

  • Receive payment early to support the farm’s operations.

  • Build direct relationships with the people who eat their food.

  • Spend less time marketing during peak growing months.

For Members

  • Enjoy ultra-fresh, seasonal food with great flavor and nutrient value.

  • Try new vegetables and foods you might not always pick out yourself.

  • Often get a chance to visit the farm and learn about how your food is grown.

Variations in CSA Models

CSA farms can organize their shares differently:

  • Traditional Box: The farm packs a weekly box for members.

  • Market-Style CSA: Members choose items from bins and build their own share with some limitations.

  • Some CSAs include other products like eggs, meat, bread, flowers, or products from partner farms.

Things to Consider Before Joining

Here are a few practical questions as you decide whether CSA is right for you, such as:

  • Do you like cooking regularly and experimenting with seasonal ingredients?

  • Can you handle or find uses for all the produce you get?

  • Are you comfortable with the shared risk nature of CSA (getting what grows well — which may vary)?
    And it’s smart to ask farmers about how their CSA works, how long they’ve been farming, and other member experiences before signing up.