Community-Sponsored Agriculture

Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a model connecting producers and consumers directly, enabling consumers to subscribe to farm harvests. This alternative socioeconomic model shares farming risks between producers and consumers. Subscribers receive regular boxes of produce or other farm goods in exchange for supporting the harvest. Blockchain technology enhances the authenticity and integrity of information, allowing consumers to track production processes quickly and reliably.

Modern CSA models involve a community of shareholders funding local farms before the growing season. In return, they receive weekly fresh produce deliveries. Blockchain provides real-time information about crop growth, enabling farmers to forecast future value and distribute profits and losses fairly. FarmShare in the US is an example of this new CSA model. The goal is to create new forms of property ownership, community cooperation, and local self-sufficiency. Younger CSA farmers may be more receptive to blockchain technology. Potential blockchain applications in CSAs include tokenizing shares for easier sale, rewarding volunteer labor with shares, and minimizing food waste through sensor-based crop quality tracking.