The concept behind community-supported agriculture first surfaced in 1965 in Japan when a group of women signed a contract with nearby farmers so that they could feel secure about the origins and quality of the produce they were feeding their families.

This concept of individuals, families and farmers supporting each other spread slowly through Europe, surfacing in the United States in 1986 when a group of Massachusetts farmers offered to "share the costs of the harvest" with local residents and coined the term community-supported agriculture, or CSA.

Most CSA farmers are small farmers, in business to make a living and support a way of life. They are not looking for large profits. And most CSA farms practice some form of sustainable agriculture: They offer organic, pesticide-free or biodynamically raised produce — and sometimes eggs, meats, milk, cheese and flowers, too.

They grow biologically diverse crops, providing more varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs than can be found in the average market. They save energy, care for the land they work, offer healthy working conditions for their help and safe, fresh food to the community.

In return, CSA farmers ask community members to share both the benefits and risks of farming by buying "shares" in their farms in the spring, when they are most in need of cash to pay for seeds, supplies and labor. CSA memberships also provide the farmers with a guaranteed market for a large portion of the foods they produce. (The balance, in most cases, is sold at nearby farmers markets.)

This is the time to join a CSA. Contact any of the farms below to find out more about what each offers.

Beneficial Farm

This longtime biodynamic farm on the Glorieta Mesa uses the cooperative model for its long-running CSA. Owner Steve Warshawer has used the CSA model since 1994. He collects produce and food from across Northern New Mexico and distributes it through this CSA. The Beneficial Farm itself raises biodynamic chickens and eggs.

Cost: $660/season
Delivery: Weekly, April through November
Contact: 575-422-2238,
stevew@plateautel.net


Gallina del Sol

One of the larger heritage turkey farms in New Mexico, this CSA — run by Wendy McGuire and Barbara Mann — sits between Stanley and Edgewood in Santa Fe County. Instead of "memberships," Gallina del Sol sells "shares" of $25 each, which buys you $30 worth of food from their booth at the farmers markets.

Along with turkeys and other poultry, the farm sells some produce, cut flowers and meat. Shares are good for those items, too. The farm reserves Thanksgiving turkeys in advance — a good idea since they sell out early.

Cost: $25/ share
Delivery: Tuesday and Saturday markets
Contact: 505-610-8326, or 505-249-6435


Los Poblanos

This Albuquerque organic farm makes deliveries at two locations in Santa Fe — Cloud Cliff Bakery and Annapurna Chai House. Boxes are $26 a week and you can take your pick how many weeks you want to commit.

Cost: $26/week
Delivery: Mondays, weekly
Contact: www.lospoblanosorganics.com


Pollo Real

Tom Dellahanty and his wife run their poultry farm on the outskirts of Socorro along the Rio Grande. They sell Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Santa Fe Farmers Market. They raise heritage turkeys as well as gourmet European chicken varieties, and some vegetable crops.

Customers pay $400 and then can just order what they want from the Pollo Real booth at markets. A promise for reserved eggs and a turkey at Thanksgiving is included with membership.

Cost: $400/share
Delivery: Tuesday and Saturday at markets
Contact: polloreal@zianet.com or 505-838-0345


Santa Cruz Farm

Don Bustos has been running a CSA at his Española-area farm for a decade. With 4,000 asparagus plants and a huge strawberry crop, the Santa Cruz CSA runs for 22 weeks and starts when you sign up.

Produce distributed is whatever is in season, with 72 crops under cultivation, including blackberries and green chile.

Cost: $475/share
Delivery: Weekly in Santa Fe, Los Alamos; pickup in Española also available
Contact: santacruzfarm@windstream.net, 505-514-1662


Sol Food Farms

This CSA is run by farmers Shauna Woodworth and Eric Anderson, who grows a wide variety of vegetables in Ojo Caliente, with big boxes distributed weekly at the Saturday Farmer's Market. Their crops include many kinds of greens, peppers, melons, garlic and beans. Their CSA is currently small, with only four members.

Cost: $500/season
Delivery: Weekly at Saturday markets
Contact: 505-583-2080