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Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Workshop CSA-MI has considerable experience in conducting day-long CSA training sessions. We have participated in conference workshops on a variety of topics related to CSA. The next minischool will be held in Traverse City, Michigan November 21, 2009 9 am to 4 pm Michigan Works Conference Room on Garfield Rd Contact Jim Sluyter for details: jimsluyter@mlui.org, 231-941-6584 ext 15 or 231-889-0199 Our preference for CSA start-up training is the day-long session. This provides enough time to have an intensive day of training, provide answers to many of the questions that people entering this challenging model will have, and offer a level of personal attention and detail not possible in a short workshop at a conference. We are willing to travel, at those times when the farm duties permit. To bring the panel to your location, plan on $1500 plus the cost of a manual for each participating farm, and travel expenses. We generally employ a panel of CSA growers who are both experienced in CSA technique and CSA training. The 'core' panel is: Mike and Phyllis Wells (Wells Family Farm): Phyllis and Mike Wells have run Wells Family Farm for 26 years. They've had a CSA for 17 years of that. They once had a very busy on-farm market where they sold flowers, fruit and vegetables. This was closed three years ago and they now go to the Elk Rapids farmers market with their produce, as well as have a 60-family CSA. Phyllis taught high school Spanish for 21 years, while Mike farmed full time. They have made many mistakes from which have come many successes. Jon and Jenny Tutlis (Meadowlark Farm): They have been farming for 20 years. Meadowlark Farm is a 20 acre diversified vegetable, cut flower, small fruits and herb farm that specializes in CSA and season extension. Meadowlark is heading into it's 12th year of CSA. "We provide food for the Meadowlark community for 10 months out of the year (zone 5) using unheated hoophouses and a root cellar and serve over 200 families in a 30 mile radius through CSA as well as small, local grocery stores, a local food pantry and several restaurants." Jim Sluyter and Jo Meller (Five Springs Farm): "Ours is a small magical CSA in NW Lower Michigan." The farm, which runs off the electric grid using PV and wind, grew from its modest beginnings in 1994 to its current modest size. “We cultivate a half of acre of intensively managed raised bed gardens situated among the rolling hills and forests on our land.” This small space provides for 20-25 shares and modest wholesale sales. They also publish, edit and write for The Community Farm, a quarterly newsletter devoted to CSA and local food. Jim currently works part time with the Michigan Land Use insitute to coordinate their Get Farming! project. We try to find an experienced CSA grower in the region of each mini-school, to offer a regional 'face' to the panel and provide a nearby contact for participant's questions. For more information: CSA-MI 524 Woodland Dr Traverse City, MI 49868 231-889-0199 or Email us
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