Community Supported Agriculture

What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?

A Community Supported Agriculture program establishes a mutual relationship between farmers and eaters that recognizes their interdependence with each other and the land. In today's food system, most people have no idea where their food comes. As Wendell Berry puts it, "We are eating- drawing our lives out of the land- thoughtlessly." When you join a CSA, not only are you putting mindfulness back into your everyday food choices, you become an integral part of the system that puts food on your table, helping to sustain it as it sustains you!

How does a CSA work?

"Food producers+ food consumers+annual commitment to one another= CSA and untold possibilities."

-Robin Van En

When you join our CSA, you pay up-front for a share of the farm's harvest for that year. Your membership gives us sufficient capital early in the growing season, when costs are high and money flow is down, to purchase necessary supplies and materials for the year. In return, we do our very best to provide you with a bountiful weekly share from June-October of delicious, fresh vegetables. As a CSA member, you share in the risks as well as the rewards of the farming season, recognizing that what you receive each week depends on forces within, as well as beyond, our control as farmers. Making sure our CSA members are well-fed and satisfied is our highest priority, as our members are truly an integral part of our farm.

Benefits of a CSA- everyone wins!

The Shareholders

-receive fresh vegetables delivered weekly to a convenient pick-up location

-know where and how their food is grown, who grows it, and have the opportunity to partake in the miracle of growing food

-are provided a strucutre through which they can support a viable local agriculture, preserve local farmland, and contribute to a healthy local economy

-become more aware of their relation to the land, farm life, and processes that make our lives possible

The Farmers

-are given the opportunity to make a viable income by growing food in a responsible and harmonious way, directly supported by the consumer

-have the pleasure of knowing who their product is going to and consequently feel more care, responsibility, and reward in their work

The Land

-is preserved from development

-is preserved from harmful farming practices

-is nurtured and cared for by people with a deep connection to it

The Community

-benefits by the preservation of open spaces, and the maintenance of an important agricultural component that is rapidly being consumed by development and industry- by preserving this diversity the community becomes a more whole and satisfying place to live.

-is strengthened by the bringing together of people who share healthy concerns about our future

-gets an economic boost when food dollars remain within the community rather than supporting out-of-state corporations.

For more details and to sign up for New Roots 2025 CSA, click here: https://forms.gle/Q599i2E8RdU93Pgm9

(From "Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture" by Elizabeth Henderson and Robyn Van E

New Roots Farm Intern Position for 2025 Season
Classification: Full-time, hourly, seasonal
Reports to: Farmer/Owner
Hourly rate: $18/hour, 30-40 hours/week, 7 months
Location: Canon City, CO
Position Dates: April 2025-October 2025

Farm Overview: New Roots Farm, LLC is a small, family owned and operated, commercial vegetable production farm located in Canon City, CO. Established in 2017, we grow and sell fresh produce throughout the state, both direct-to-consumer, through a CSA program and farmers markets, and wholesale through food hubs and buying clubs. We produce diverse vegetable crops, both in the field and in hoop houses, employing regenerative farming practices with an emphasis on soil health.

Job Summary: This farm hand position is an entry level position designed to introduce the intern to all aspects of operating a small, commercial vegetable and herb farm, from planning, prepping and planting to harvest, packaging and sales. This position is a hands-on position designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in farming. This position provides the opportunity to build connections with the land and its bounty, as well as with the community it feeds.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with plant propagation and growth, including seeding, transplanting, cultivation, irrigation, disease and pest identification and control.
- Assist with bed preparation, including amending and prepping soil for seeding and transplanting
- Assist with harvest and post-harvest handling and packaging in accordance with the farm’s produce safety plan
- Operate and maintain motorized and hand held tools, including a walk behind tractor and implements, tilther, paper transplanter, and various weeding and harvest tools.
- Manage overhead sprinkler and drip irrigation systems.
- Maintain accurate planting and harvest records.
- Provide quality customer service and demonstrate knowledge of produce and growing practices while interacting with customers at the farmers market.
- Assist with general landscape and building maintenance on the farm.
- Supervise part time employees and volunteers.

Required Skills:
- Enthusiastic desire to learn about healthy food and regenerative, small-scale production farming.
- Ability to pay attention to detail while understanding the bigger picture.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Desire to work outdoors in sometimes extreme weather conditions.
- Ability to engage in physically challenging and sometimes monotonous work under pressure.
- Ability to take direction, ask questions, and accept feedback.
- Ability to work alone or with others.
- Creative problem solving and conflict management skills
- Strong mechanical aptitude and curiosity.
- Good sense of humor is helpful.
- Valid drivers license.

Education/Experience:
- High School Diploma
- Previous farming/gardening experience preferred but not required.
- Previous work experience demonstrating ability to work under physically challenging conditions.
To apply, please send resume and 3 employer references to newrootsfarmllc@gmail.com