Community Supported Agriculture

What’s a csa?

A Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a direct relationship between farmers and consumers, where members purchase a share of a farm’s harvest in advance and receive regular distributions of fresh, locally grown produce. This model not only provides consumers with high-quality, seasonal food but also offers farmers financial stability and community support throughout the growing season.

Dr. Booker T. Whatley

A pioneering Black horticulturist, author, and agricultural scientist founded the legendary Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

While CSAs have gained popularity in recent decades, their roots trace back to Dr. Booker T. Whatley, a pioneering Black horticulturist, author, and agricultural scientist. In the 1960s and 70s, Whatley introduced the concept of “Clientele Membership Clubs,” a precursor to modern CSAs. His vision was to create a mutually beneficial relationship between small farmers and local consumers, ensuring farms remained profitable and self-sufficient without relying on external funding.

Dr. Whatley developed a 10-point plan for small farmers to thrive while maintaining independence and sustainability.

Dr. Whatley’s CSA Principles

  • Provide year-round, daily cash flow.

  • Be a pick-your-own operation.

  • Have a guaranteed market with a Clientele Membership Club.

  • Provide year-round, full-time employment.

  • Be located on a hard-surfaced road within a radius of 40 miles of a population center of at least 50,000, with well-drained soil and an excellent source of water.

  • Produce only what the clients demand—and nothing else!

  • Shun middlemen and middlewomen like the plague, for they are a curse upon thee.

  • Consist of compatible, complementary crop components that earn a minimum of $3,000 per acre annually.

  • Be 'weatherproof', at least as far as possible with both drip and sprinkler irrigation.

  • Be covered by a minimum of $250,000 worth ($1 million is better) of liability insurance.

at liberated land cooperative

We are committed to continuing this legacy by ensuring that Black, Brown, and historically marginalized farmers have the resources, land, and support they need to thrive. Our CSA is not just about fresh produce—it’s about reclaiming food traditions, fostering community resilience, and ensuring food justice for all.

Join us in this movement—sign up for our CSA share and be part of a food system that nourishes, empowers, and liberates.