Since this post was originally published, I’ve learned that the photos I’d taken were not from Geraldson’s Community Farm, but from a different, privately owned, Geraldson’s Farm in the area. Therefore, I’ve withdrawn those photos, leaving just the following text.
Many ideas from “our” generation–folks who were young way back in the 60s–are finally becoming mainstream. Remember food Co-ops? They were groups of individuals who would pool their resources to buy food in bulk at lower prices which they then shared. They still exist, some in a more commercial form such as the Kokua Market, a natural foods cooperative in Honolulu I used to shop at when I lived there just a few years ago.
I’ve learned of a related idea that is a whole new experience for me: a farm cooperative! This quote from the “Community Supported Agriculture” document in the USDA National Agricultural Library by the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center explains the concept:
“Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or “share-holders” of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.”
This article, Down on the County Farm by Brian Ries, Creative Loafing, June 14, 2006, is a “must read.” It explains the history of Geraldson’s becoming a community farm. Included in this explanation are mention of the individuals who had the vision, energy, and follow-through to make this happen. The article also has a hand-drawn plan from its inception and an aerial shot of how the farm looked back in 2006 before being developed as a community farm. Additional details are available in this June, 14, 2006 article from the The Bradenton Herald: “Family’s Property May Become Community Farm.”
Here is a PDF of the presentation given to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners back in 2006 prepared by Florida West Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council of the Geraldson Community Farm Conceptual Management Plan. What I like about this presentation is that it’s not dense prose; it’s typical presentation bulleting, which makes it easy to absorb the highlights of the content. Among the many things it discusses are the different models for community farm research (you’ll also see these models mentioned in the other articles I’ve linked to here):
- Small acreage
- Suburban location
- Agricultural history
- Public ownership
- Community involvement
- Business success
- Educational programs
The Geraldson’s Community Farm (1401 99th St. NW, Bradenton, FL 34209; map) Geraldson’s Community Farm website is a beauty, visually and organizationally. It fully explains the concept, the cost of individual shares, pickups, payments, and complete facts about the operation, including newsletter, recipes, and opportunities for jobs and volunteering.
These two pages from the Local Harvest website–Geraldson Community Farm and Community Supported Agriculture–summarize the details of the cooperative. These pages are very recent, last updated May 26, 2009.
The Florida West Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council, which, through the efforts of Laura Morton of the USDA and coordinator for the Florida West Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council, was instrumental in the conception and execution of this idea, has a useful page, “Creating an entrepreneurial local food and agriculture economy,” that has some very good links on the concept of cooperative farming. See the Creative Loafing article mentioned at the beginning of this post for more about Laura Morton.
Perhaps the most important link I found while researching this post was this PDF from the Sarasota County Agriculture Extension service. (You’ve heard me sign the Pinellas County Extension’s praise a number of times with their willingness to help me identify plants and trees.)
This 2009 PDF, WHERE TO FIND LOCAL AND ORGANIC FOODS, lists farms where one can buy locally grown food in Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. (I wasn’t aware there were any farms in Pinellas county!) It also lists the Community Farmers’ Markets and Food Buying Clubs/Co-ops for those same counties as well as giving a number of web-based resources on local foods. If you are interested in “locavore” buying, this is one PDF you’ll want to print out and keep handy!
I know, for sure, that to my To Do list I’ve added:
- Find the nearest food co-op!
- Visit the co-op farms in Pinellas County!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great informative post, Hilton!
I have one other suggestion for your To Do list:
• Plant heirloom tomatoes
The only thing better than buying produce from a local farm is pulling it from your own garden, even if your acreage consists of only a few pots.
Richard
Great plug, bro! LOL Thanks!
Doing a farmers’ market post is not an easy thing to do. As you know, I divided the one in Palo Alto, CA into a series of three posts. This one was very well done, and you are so right – heirloom produce is much tastier than anything in a grocery store. I love picking my own from my garden most of all. I grew those little yellow plum heirloom tomatoes last year and saved seeds.
Lucy