Local Farm Expands Community Supported Agriculture Program
Sunnybrook Farm of Amherst has plans to greatly increase its Community Supported Agriculture program for the next farming year. As a family-operated farm that has been in business for more than 50 years, the farm aims to expand its CSA membership by 30% and introduce new crops to meet the growing market demand for local and organically grown produce. This expansion is a stepping stone for the farm and is, beyond any doubt, parallel to the growing concerns in the community regarding sustainable farming.
The CSA program was expanded because the proprietor of the particular farm, Sarah Thompson, noted that the prior year experienced massive participation from the public. ‘Today people are choosing healthy, fresh and local products’, Thompson said, ‘this became apparent during the pandemic when people realized how important it is to have food on the table.’ The new expanded program will provide 150 shares against the earlier 115 shares in the last year, which shall give more families in Amherst and the adjoining regions an opportunity to contribute to local farming.
Apart from extending the capacity, Sunnybrook Farm has decided to expand the variety of products being grown. These new crops will include heirloom tomatoes, different types of peppers, and types of Asian vegetables. The farm is also trying out sorts that extend the harvest season a little bit more so the members get healthy foods for a longer season. Such new features were pointed out by Thompson as directions, which were changes made due to members’ demands and suggestions.
Consumer-supported agriculture, a marketing model that lets consumers buy a certain portion of a farm’s annual production beforehand, has also become increasingly common in recent years due to the increased rate at which people are looking for direct access to their producers. Sunnybrook’s program operates from June to October, and the members are able to receive weekly delivery of fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs in season. The farm also provides a flexible pickup service and has included a limited home delivery service for this Autumn.
To facilitate this growth, Sunnybrook Farm has bought new machinery and equipment and has hired and trained new temporary employees. The farm is therefore going to engage with the schools in order to offer school tours and agricultural/nutrition awareness. Stored programme encompasses the following which is related to the core goal of offering fresh produce and creating awareness of agriculture to the people.
Environmental sustainability, therefore, still continues to be a critical factor at Sunnybrook Farm. This expansion contains provisions for enhancing water efficiency and using renewable resources. ‘We use our determination to expand this business in the right manner that is friendly to the land,’ Thompson said. This farm has also promised to give the required amount of their produce to food banks in the area a tradition that is noble in the current world.
Local food advocates have been embracing Sunnybrook’s expansion as beneficial to Amherst’s food system. This is a positive as it suggests that the availability of locally produced food is going to produce a snowball effect across the rest of the community in regard to the efforts placed on the production of fresh produce locally. It remains a hope with some members of the community that the success of the farm will lead to the replication of similar operations within the region.
As Spring approaches for Sunnybrook Farm, its CSA members equally get excited for the next farming season whether a repeat member or newly registered. The farm wants to bring potential CSA members into the new space for the first time at an early spring open house event. For this growth, Sunnybrook Farm is positioned to contribute even further to supporting the local food movement in Amherst and the town’s commitment to sustainability and local community-supported agriculture.