We run this two-day course at least once a year at various locations across the UK
Next dates: July 19th-20th at Canalside Community Food, Leamington Spa
Launch or Grow Your Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm
Thinking about starting a small-scale farm or growing your existing CSA? This course is for you.
Join Ed Hamer of Chagfood CSA as he shares over thirteen years of hands-on experience, developing a thriving community supported agriculture (CSA) farm.
This practical and inspiring course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to start — or strengthen — a CSA in your own community.
What You’ll Gain
- Real-world insights from a leading CSA farmer
- Step-by-step guidance on building a sustainable, community-rooted farm
- A supportive environment to explore ideas and share challenges
- First-hand experience from the host CSA where the course takes place
Who It’s For
This course is ideal for:
- Individuals exploring the CSA model
- Community groups looking to launch a CSA
- Existing projects aiming to grow membership or expand into new enterprises
Why CSA?
The CSA model is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to start a small-scale farming business. It builds strong community ties, ensures fair returns for farmers, and creates lasting local food systems.
What the weekend covers
Day 1:
- Introduction to Chagfood, the host CSA & the format of the weekend
- First steps of a CSA
- Identifying demand
- Start-up costs and infrastructure
- Finding a suitable site and securing planning permission
- Initial business planning
- Lunch
- Crop planning specific to CSAs
- Fertility building
- Delivering your first season
- Managing finances and membership
- Evening meal
Day 2:
- Tour of host CSA
- Increasing membership & marketing
- Growing field scale
- Generating additional revenue through wholesale
- Business planning for expansion
- Lunch
- Diversifying your CSA
- Flower shares
Tickets range from £180 to £220 (limited number of bursary places available)
Tickets
Book your tickets by clicking on the relevant link below. If you are a member of CSA Network UK, click on the ‘Members’ ticket link. If you are connected to a CSA to qualify for a member ticket rate, please tick the ‘Add a note’ to your order button when you are paying and write in the name of the CSA you are connected to.
Bursaries
We can allocate some bursary places depending on how many fully-paid places we have booked. If you would like to obtain a bursary place, please write to csanetworkcomms@gmail.com explaining why you feel you need a bursary place