From oil dependence to local resilience

CSA/ teikei

I have just come home from working in my Field, its too hot, so hot we even have Indian miners here in Chch for the first time.
I am a biodynamic market gardener, I think the best way to manage the land i work on is to grow a diverse range of crops. This is in part a biodynamic principal of centering The rhythms of the season the location you are in and the growers into your every day life. By buying local in season produce fresh off the grower you achieve this. Sounds idyllic, It is to grow a good range of produce through out the season a grower needs crop protection and tunnel houses good land and and undying passion to produce food for others even when we are starving ourselves well not quite.

CSA community supported agriculture or as i prefer TEIKEI are alternative models of food distribution that by pass the ever increasing distribution chain. By purchasing a share in a farm, a garden, or a field we take control of our food supply and growers like me are able to plan gardens better, reduce crop wastage, and build resilient sustainable communities.

Not all growers are like me, many find it easier to crop a few crops, but there are a few around who have this ethos.

I am suggesting a public meeting/ discussion on what a CSA or TEIKEI in Christchurch would look like.

Behind every CSA or TEIKEI is a core group of people who handle organise the members and distribution as a fledgling CSA I am on the look out for keen members.

this is a discussion so any ideas

Attachments:

The-Field-Brochure.pdf, 231 KB
contract.pdf, 68 KB

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rebecca May on November 17, 2010 at 19:26

kia ora george,
i feel we need to get together to chat about this! as a community of folk, i am sure that brighton would support this & with access to 1000 folk via the newsletter i write we could really get behind you!
email me nbp.newsletter at gmail.com or txt 021 802-911
b

Permalink Reply by Georgina Aorangi Stanley on November 22, 2010 at 9:17

Hey Bec
nice to hear from you makes sense to organise a brighton pod as i am out that way to will get a bit of guff to your news letter before the solstice...

G

Permalink Reply by Andy Pedley on July 25, 2011 at 10:34

Hi there,

Great to see the increased interest in establishing CSA's in NZ!

I am currently apprenticing on a CSA vegetable farm in Southern Ontario, Canada. This is my second year on the farm (www.orchardhillfarm.ca) so I guess I am getting a better understanding of the pros and cons of running a CSA. Aside from the veges, we also grow grains, raise chickens for eggs, and we have pigs for turning the compost piles. Also, the main energy source we use is draught horses.

When I return to Christchurch in November I would be greatly interested in helping to establish a CSA in the area (or anywhere in NZ). I am a great believer in the CSA model as I have seen so many successful examples here in North America.

Furthermore, I am most interested in helping people transition to horse power and in getting more horses working on NZ farms, but one step at a time. Tractor farming holds so little appeal over me now that I can't even fathom a SUSTAINABLE farming operation (including CSA's) without draught animals.

Take care and all the best!

Andy

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