Colchester Farm Community Supported Agriculture Page 2
2006 Annual Report
2006 Member Survey Results
Every year CFCSA conducts a survey of its members who receive vegetables so we can improve our offerings the next season. In 2006, 51% of our members returned their survey with all sort of suggestions and comments. (Of those who responded, 60% were first year subscribers, 16% had been with us for two years, 20% for three years, and 2% for all four years.)
In 2006, ratings for quality, delivery and presentation, and selection and variety remained positive, but ratings fell for quantity. We asked everyone to rate our offerings on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating possible.
| Survey Results Comparison |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
| Quality |
|
4.36 |
|
4.31 |
|
3.50 |
| Delivery and Presentation |
|
4.46 |
|
4.27 |
|
4.24 |
| Quantity |
|
3.89 |
|
4.29 |
|
3.60 |
| Selection and Variety |
|
3.82 |
|
3.74 |
|
3.46 |
Community Supported Agriculture programs are not for everyone. Although we work
to provide as much choice and predictability for our members as possible, adjusting to the rhythms of a CSA can be daunting. As one member stated, “I think you are WONDERFUL, but not for me and my lifestyle.”
Interestingly, when we ask our members why they join the CSA, the majority cite their “desire for local produce” and “desire to support local agriculture” as well as “concern for the environment” and “desire for organic produce.” So, our members are loyal for a whole host of reasons, as one said, “I am so pleased about being able to feed my family local, organic food at a reasonable price. “
Some Decisions for 2007
Going into our fifth year, there are a lot of decisions to be made. From our survey, we know we need to address the quantity issue. Also, what kind of vegetables should we grow? Most of our members seem to want “regular” vegetables, ones they are familiar with. Others obviously glory in the odd shapes, colors, and tastes of vegetables they’ve never encountered before. What is the balance between these two choices? Who decides?
Personnel is our largest expense. We are committed to paying a fair wage for hard work, yet farm reality means the pay will remain low. How much do we need to charge our members to insure that our workers are fairly paid? How much do we need to pay a CSA Manager? At CFCSA, the manager gets a free place to stay, and all the vegetables he or she can eat. How much more compensation is needed? $10,000? $15,000? $25,000? More? How much should we pay our interns? Minimum wage? More? They get an education in organic growing, vegetables and a place to stay. Are we competitive with other similar operations? What do we need to offer people so they will recommend working here to their friends?
After four years, we are pretty clear that we aren’t a traditional business with a hierarchy from the boss on down making business decisions. From the beginning we have been committed to a more communal approach. We know membership fees do not fully pay for our operation, so if we do sell to others, how much? When? What is fair to shareholders?
We are planning a full membership meeting this winter to help the board decide these issues as we move into our fifth year. We want to hear from you!
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Colchester Farm | P.O. Box 191 | Georgetown MD 21930 | (at 31285 Georgetown Cemetery Rd)
Site Designed by Theresa Mycek
Updated May 9, 2008
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