Manitoba Shared Farming: An Examination of the Contributions of Southern Manitoba Community Supported Agriculture Initiatives for Rural Communities

Kreesta Doucette

Using southern Manitoba as a case study, this paper explores the contributions made to sustainable rural livelihoods by direct farm marketing models such as Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) and farmer’s markets. Although the majority of farmer’s market vendors operate using conventional practices, many small-scale organic producers sell their goods via CSA and/or Farmer’s markets. Direct farm marketing models often exist in the informal economy and subsequently their economic and social impacts, contributions to farm and household income, and impacts on the broader community remain unmeasured. Existing research on CSAs focuses on social and ideological aspects largely ignoring the economic realities.

Through the use of case studies, surveys of vendors and consumers, and interviews with key informants and market coordinators, this paper will examine the challenges to Manitoba organic producers and conventional vendors marketing through CSA’s and farmers’ markets. Preliminary reviews of these challenges reveal them to mirror those faced by rural communities. Challenges include ageing populations, transportation, labor availability and cost, economies of scale, length of the growing season, lack of supports and marketing channels, and low rates of return. Among small scale organic producers concerns regarding equity and distribution of their products rank highly as a barrier to the establishment of sustainable pricing. Alternative models and regulatory reforms (including certification) are needed to increase the viability of local consumption at a socially acceptable price. Who should internalize the true costs of sustainable food production? Can organics provide a viable option for sustainable rural livelihood strategies?

Full Paper

Source
Presented at the First Annual Conference for Social Research in Organic Agriculture. Guelph, Ontario. January 2004


Author Location and Affiliation
Rural Planning and Development Program, University of Guelph, kdoucett@uoguleph.ca


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