CSA School Program on November 28

On November 28 in Haddam, CT the UConn Extension with the funding of the USDA Risk management Agency is hosting an all-day, intensive CSA School.  This is a great way to learn from other farmers about their experiences operating CSAs of all shapes, sizes and models here in Connecticut.  Check out the agenda:

8:30 Welcome- Jude Boucher, UConn Cooperative Extension
Who is your CSA customer? – Monique Basch

8:45 - 9:15 Traditional CSA Vegetable Share
Paul Bucciaglia, Fort Hill Farm, New Milford
Key elements of the CSA model

9:15—9:45 Multi-farmer CSA
Brad Isnard, Bishop’s Orchard CSA
Working with other farmers, using CSA share add-ons

9:45 – 10:00 BREAK
10:00 – 11:00 Multi-season CSA/Partnering with Chefs
Fred and Stacia Monahan, Stone Garden CSA, Shelton
Deciding to shift to CSA business and impact on farm income, layering CSA shares, aspects of managing large # of members

11:00 – 11:30 Meat CSA
Rick Hermonot, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, Sterling
Unique aspects of operating a meat CSA, share options, aggregating product from other farmers

11:30 – 12:15 LUNCH

12:15 – 1:00 Tips & Tools for CSA business management
Jiff Martin, UConn Cooperative Extension
Model CSA contract, share prices, communicating with members, case studies and snapshots, innovative aggregation models

1:00 – 1:30 Insuring a CSA
Joe Bonelli – UConn Cooperative Extension

1:30 - 2:30 Getting Started – What I learned my first year running a CSA
Farmer Panel:
 Michelle Collins – Fair Weather Acres, Rocky Hill
 Bruce Gresczyk Jr. – Gresczyk Farms, New Hartford
 Steve Munno – Massaro Community Farm, Woodbridge
Moderated by Jude Boucher, UConn Extension Center


2:30 - 3:30
CT NOFA will be hosting a roundtable discussion for farmers who are just getting started with a CSA, those who are looking to improve or scale up their CSA and a discussion about CSA Regulations.  The group will break out into smaller groups to learn about:

Group A – Getting Started – Led by Max and Kerry Taylor (Provider Farm)
Group B – Getting Better – Led by Steve Munno (Massaro Farm)
Group C – Regulating the CSA – CSA farm businesses and issues with town and
state government, led by Joan Nichols from the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association

Register by filling out this form and sending it to
UCONN, CES
24 Hyde Avenue
Vernon, CT, 06066

Hope to see you there!
Kristiane