CSA Network UK - Community Supported Agriculture

08/08/2025

Exciting things are growing in West Yorkshire 🌱

The CSA Network UK has launched a new project focused on widening participation in Community Supported Agriculture - exploring how CSAs can better connect with local communities, share their values, and build resilience through deeper engagement.

We’re working with Kirkstall Valley Farm (urban) and Swillington Organic Farm (rural), thanks to generous support from the JJ Charitable Trust and Roger Ross of Serve All Trust.

Joining us for this work is Jude Woods, who brings years of experience in community engagement. Jude is spending time at both farms - listening, learning, and planning alongside growers, volunteers, and local networks to understand what’s possible when a CSA has dedicated capacity to connect.

This builds on our 2022 work on Increasing Inclusion in CSA, and we’re excited to share learning from across the network as the project develops.

PS: We have three upcoming in-person opportunities to learn about CSA or connect with other CSA farms:

Setting Up and Scaling Up Your CSA: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/setting-up-scaling-up-a-csa/

Scotland and Wales CSA Gatherings: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/regional-csa-gatherings-2025/

25/07/2025

Our gatherings are in just two months! It's a chance to share knowledge and make connections with others doing the valuable work of CSA.

Come join us on

🥕 Saturday 13th September at Lauriston Farm in Edinburgh, Scotland

Or

🥕 Saturday 27th September at Ash & Elm Horticulture in Llanidloes, Powys, Mid Wales

More info and tickets here: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/regional-csa-gatherings-2025/

12/07/2025

SFI is likely to be reinstated (as far as we know) and it's well worth applying for with educational visits as a standalone item offering £360 per visit with no limit.

Since it can take a while, we recommend you request your SBI and CRN now so you're ready to apply as soon as the opportunity opens! 🏃🏽‍♀️

02/07/2025

We are at Groundswell! 💫

In our session today, farmers talked about models for small-scale local meat, including Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

Two of our members CSAs we're represented, Rowan Dumper-Pollard from Street Goat in Bristol and Jo Cartwright from Swillington Farm in West Yorkshire.

Jo said: "We've tried every possible way of selling meat." We can attest that she has!

Meanwhile, Rowan explained conservation grazing with goats.

There's really nothing like hearing about small-scale farming works in the real world from the people doing it, especially when you're selling directly to your community.

Running or interested in starting or supporting a CSA? Come talk to us at our stall at Groundswell Agriculture and check out our session tomorrow at 1-2pm in the Breakout Tent, "Building community on your farm and why it matters".

✨ And to hear from and talk with more CSA farmers and make some vital local links, book onto one of our gatherings in the Midlands, Scotland and Wales: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/regional-csa-gatherings-2025/

23/06/2025

Our two-day in person course and our regional gatherings are open for booking!

🐝 Setting up & Scaling up your CSA is an in-depth weekend course with Ed Hamer of offering real-world insights, step-by-step guidance, a supportive environment to explore ideas and share challenges plus first-hand experience from the host CSA where the course takes place

More info and booking details: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/setting-up-scaling-up-a-csa/

🐝 Our regional gatherings are an opportunity to gather with others working in Community Supported Agriculture for peer support, workshops, networking and celebration

Book here: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/regional-csa-gatherings-2025/

🌱 July 19th-20th: Setting up & Scaling up your CSA
🌱 July 20th: Midlands CSA Gathering
🌱 September 13th: Scotland CSA Gathering
🌱 September 27th: Wales CSA Gathering (in collaboration with Social Farms & Gardens - Ffermydd a Gerddi Cymdeithasol, Landworkers' Alliance and Organic Growers Alliance)

Come join us and please SHARE! 🌞

16/06/2025

Exciting to see a few CSAs featured in this piece on farmers fighting the climate emergency, including Network member farm, Lauriston:

"Sons inherit Scottish farms in 85% of cases, yet over half of UK family farm workers are women. In Edinburgh, Lauriston Farm is run by a majority-women workers’ cooperative, who are drawing on the power of local people to restore a 100-acre urban growing site. When it started in 2021 it was the largest urban farm in Scotland"

From Northern Irish handkerchief-makers to Scilly Isles fisherman who know when to let stocks replenish, a new book showcases radical solutions to our environmental problems

16/06/2025

"We are part of the cycle, part of nature and we need to farm sustainably with nature"

16/06/2025

Researchers are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and wellbeing.

They want to know more about the different ways in which a farming way of life might provide both benefits and challenges for women in terms of their physical and mental health; women’s experiences of accessing appropriate healthcare; and how support might be more effectively tailored to improve health and happiness across the sector.

Researchers are seeking the views of women in farming to help improve the support provided for their health and wellbeing. The research is led by the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR)

09/05/2025

We’ve just launched the first of this year’s CSA Network two-day, in-person training courses designed for growers, organisers, and landworkers who are ready to build rooted, community-powered food systems.

Spaces are limited. Book early to secure your place.
📅 Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th July, 2025
📍 Canalside Community Food, Leamington Spa
🎟 Info & tickets: Learn more and book here: https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/setting-up-scaling-up-a-csa/

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your existing CSA, this course offers the tools, insight and inspiration to take your next steps with confidence.

Led by Ed Hamer of Chagfood CSA, one of the UK’s most established CSA growers with over 13 years’ experience, this training shares the practical knowledge behind building a successful CSA from the ground up. From crop planning and community outreach to enterprise models and long-term resilience, it’s a space to learn what works, ask questions, and connect with others on the same path.

Hosted at a working CSA, the course also offers valuable on-the-ground learning and a chance to see CSA principles in action.

This course is ideal for individuals and groups who care about local food, land justice, and growing in a way that supports both people and planet.

21/04/2025

We're running free online information sessions all about Community Supported Agriculture THIS WEEK for growers and community organisers in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Come ask all your questions to consider whether CSA is right for your farm or agricultural project. We'll help you get started and work out your next steps.

Book at https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/csa-information-sessions-for-the-highlands-and-islands/

📷 Andy Buchanan at

03/04/2025

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm in Leeds is looking for a head grower to manage their small market team. The deadline for applications is this Sunday!

🌱 We are looking for a Head Grower to oversee the running of our 1-acre Market Garden. It’s a hub of sustainable community food growing, feeding 130 households through its’ year-round CSA scheme and hosting 2 volunteer days every week. We are looking for an individual who can hit the ground running and provide leadership and support to the market garden staff and volunteers.

To find out more about the role and access the application forms please head to our website :)

28/03/2025

We want to see farms growing and raising good food for their local communities thrive. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an important model for making that happen, putting farmers and local people directly in touch with each other.

We’ve received funding from The Pebble Trust to grow the CSA movement in the Highlands and Islands in Scotland, and we’re kicking off our support with two information sessions.

If you’re a farmer committed to agroecological practices or a community organiser who wants to create local access to food farmed without harmful chemicals and practices, come along to learn all about CSA!

These FREE online sessions run on Tuesday 22nd April, 6.30pm-8pm and Thursday 24th April, 9.30-11am. Email [email protected] to book your place.

Please share! We want to make sure that as many people as possible get to take advantage of this opportunity 🥦