MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With the holidays behind us, a new season is around the corner: CSA season.

 “CSA” is an acronym for “Community Supported Agriculture,” a model where consumers purchase shares of a farm’s harvest in advance of the growing season and become members of the farm. In exchange for this pre-season purchase, community members pick up a variety of produce during the growing season.
Purchasing your share earlier in the season, supports farmers during the winter season, and some farms may choose to utilize CSA funds to purchase seeds, tools, or necessary infrastructure for the growing season.
Much like locally grown produce, CSAs can be a diverse blend of varieties from farm to farm! Some CSAs offer full-sized shares, others offer half-sized shares, other farms offer shares based on the weight of the produce! Different share sizes accommodate the size of your household.

Some farms pre-package their CSAs for pick-up in boxes or bags, while other farm’s may have a list of CSA items of the week and allow their members to pick the individual produce similar to a market or grocery store setting.

Farms typically have different pick-up days and times, and some farms even offer delivery or nearby pick-up options.
The CSA model has existed for quite some time, with early roots of the model being credited to community farm initiatives in Japan, Chile, and across Europe as early as the 1970s.
In the United States one of the earliest uses of the model was by Booker T. Whately, an agriculture professor and pioneer of sustainable agriculture following World War II.
Whately outlined 10 commandments that he categorized as essential for successful and sustainable farming. Included in these commandments was a term he coined as “Clientele Membership Club,” in which members paid an upfront fee to pick their own produce all season long. The more modern CSA model that we see today was pioneered in the 1980’s by Indian Line CSA in South Egremont, MA and Temple-Wilton Community Farm in Wilton.
Participating in a local CSA program is a wonderful opportunity to support local farmers, enjoy seasonal produce, try new food, inspire your cooking, all while investing in our local economy!

For seven years, the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) has administered the Monadnock Farm Share Program.

The Farm Share Program provides limited-income Monadnock Region residents with the opportunity to support their local CSA farmer and receive reliable high-quality produce on a regular basis all season long. CSA Share prices are discounted through an innovative cost-share model. Through the program, participating families and individuals receive a discounted weekly vegetable share at 50% of its value!
Farmers raise funds to cover 15 percent of the program costs and 35 percent of program costs is provided by the The Center for Population Health at Cheshire Medical Center through the Healthy Monadnock Alliance. The customer is responsible to pay 50 percent of the total share cost.
Community members choose from a listing of participating farms throughout the region! This program was developed for limited income residents of the Monadnock Region. This program is made available for households who without the program, would be unable to participate in a local Community Supported Agriculture program.
This program is available to Monadnock Region residents who live at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty income limit or have other reasons for needing assistance in participating in a farm share program.
The program was initiated in 2019 when farmers noticed a need for accessibility in farm share programs in our region.
On the program’s roots, CCCD District Manager Amanda Littleton shared, “A group of CSA farmers in the Monadnock Region approached the Conservation District on finding a way to make shares more affordable for limited income households. CCCD worked hand in hand with these farms to create the program and secure funding through Cheshire Medical Center. We think this is a fantastic collaboration to expand access to locally produced fruits and vegetables while supporting our region’s farms.”
The program is in line with several outcomes that are at the heart of the CCCD’s mission of supporting local farm viability, building community, and supporting local public health.
The Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) is excited to announce the continuation of the Monadnock Farm Share Program for 2025. Five Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce farms in the Monadnock Region have come together to ensure that farm fresh CSA vegetable shares are available and affordable for all interested community members in 2025.
Applications will be selected on a first come, first serve basis and funding is limited. The CCCD will accept applications until March 10th, or until available shares have been awarded.
Discounted farm shares are also available for SNAP/EBT users through the Granite State Market Match Program. Interested in utilizing your SNAP/EBT dollars towards a farm share or local produce? To learn more about participating locations, or to apply for farm shares, visit Granite State Market Match | CCCD
About the Cheshire County Conservation District 

Established in 1945, the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD) leads local efforts to protect and enhance the county’s land and water resources. Representing county conservation interests, CCCD is dedicated to preserving agriculture and its role in the community. The organization promotes the responsible use of natural and agricultural resources in Cheshire County by offering technical, financial, and educational support and is committed to public outreach and education, fostering environmental stewardship and appreciation for future generations.