Community Supported Agriculture

What is CSA all about? Community! 

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, which represents a relationship between a farm and its community. It’s a system built on trust, shared risk, and sustainability. CSA members invest in the farm at the start of the season, providing the farm with critical cash flow early on to cover the costs of seeds, soil, and other essentials. In return, they receive a weekly share of fresh, locally grown produce in the summer and fall that reflects the seasonal cycles of the farm. This model fosters a deep connection between farmers and community members, encouraging people to enjoy fresh food and understand the challenges of farming—like weather unpredictability, pests and crop failure. Members celebrate the bounty of a successful harvest while sharing in the workings of the farming process and the joys of community. 

As a member of our CSA, you receive a single ‘share’ consisting of 5-8 seasonal produce items that are in season at the farm, from mid-June through October. If you are not used to eating seasonally, you may find that transitioning from eating whatever is available at the grocery store or even our farmstand (which offers pretty much everything) to what’s in your CSA basket—only what is in season and grown here on Shelter Island by our team of farmers—can take some time! The CSA experience is about more than just food; it’s about supporting local agriculture, fostering community ties, and living in harmony with nature’s rhythms. This year, CSA members will again be able to bring their food waste to the farm for composting, which we will weigh in each week to see which CSA member is the biggest scrap saver! 

Our CSA began in 2009 when the organization itself was merely a seed. Twenty-five founding member families were involved in everything from crop choices and seed orders to planting and harvesting. Since its humble beginnings, our CSA has expanded to include over 125 families. A portion of the shares are donated to local food pantries and families in need on Shelter Island through Sylvester Manor’s Food Access Program. To learn more about this work please contact us!

Mainstream CSAs gained popularity in America in the 1980s, though the model has been around much longer due to the contributions of Booker T. Whatley and Japanese Teikei cooperative models. To read about the extended history of CSAs, check out this article.

For questions, please email csa@sylvestermanor.org.