Motivations of shareholders in community supported agriculture at Asbury Village Farm
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2013

Includes bibliographical references.

In this applied professional project, a qualitative case study was developed and implemented seeking to determine the differences between workshare and pick up share member groups at an organic CSA in northwest New Jersey. Currently, Asbury Village Farm practices community supported agriculture (CSA) on eight acres and is located approximately 60 miles west of New York City in a rural area of Warren County. It has a total of 200 members, 170 either full share or half share pick up members, and 30 workshare members. Beginning in May 2012, through a six week participant observation and immersion period, initial themes and work habits were established through informal conversations and copious note taking. Subsequently, this information directed informed the question set posed during formal interviews consisting of twelve members, six from each member group. Further, an online survey consisting of 19 questions with over 100 respondents uncovered the differences behind both groups of shareholders. While 61% of participants would still join if the workshare option was no longer available, 39% stated that they would no longer be members. Overall, the findings of this study have assisted the farmer of the CSA to improve farm operations thus leading to an increase in member retention rates.