Rural-Urban Linkages
Examples of this pattern in action:
Community Supported Agriculture
From Eric Gibson's Sell What You Sow! The Grower's Guide to Successful Produce Marketing With Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), members purchase "shares" of the farm's harvest, accepting less if a crop is damaged or fails. This is different than with conventional farming where the farmer bears all the risk. Once or twice a week mature crops are harvested and divided up among the shareholders. Usually the payment is several hundred dollars and the family receives enough vegetables to last through the season and sometimes enough for winter storage. The share is payable before the season starts, in one or several installments. If shareholders come out to the farm to pick up their produce, prices are usually from 25 to 50 percent less than retail prices for similar quality produce. Prices may be close to or above retail if the farmer makes deliveries.
Portland Saturday Market
The largest open-air arts and crafts market (in continuous operation) in the United States. The vendors handcraft everything at the Market and every item is submitted for review to a panel of members who assure that it meets the Market's standards of quality and hand craftsmanship. Over a dozen new craftspeople join the Market each month during the season so be sure to check back with the site for everything new. The Market is located in the heart of the historic Skidmore district in Downtown Portland and is credited with much of the success in rejuvenating Portland's Old Town area, drawing thousands of visitors to the area every weekend.
Farmer's Markets
Farmers markets are economic lifeline by Kathy Mulady Crates of lettuce, peas and corn. Cartons of fresh berries. Jars of honey and wedges of cheese. Eggs. Shoppers carrying brimming baskets and bags stroll among the booths, invigorated by the fresh air. They chat with neighbors and the farmers about the produce. Organic farmer Michaele Blakely waters some vegetable starts in her greenhouse near Carnation. Blakely, who operates Growing Things, sells Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays at farmers markets in the area. For shoppers, the farmers market is an enjoyable alternative to the grocery store. But for farmers it is serious business.
Fish Markets
Fergus-Mc-Barendse Seafood purchases Seafood directly from their fishing fleet who fish the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River, and Willapa Bay. Their fleet of over 200 vessels catch a wide variety of species and deliver the fish to us in the freshest state. They unload the product, grade, process, package, and ship the product in a timely manner to assure that their customers get the freshest seafood possible. This product goes from the boat to your doorstep in a days time in most occasions, that's about as fresh as you can get it.
Organizations whose work incorporate this pattern:
Small Farm Center
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
Journey to Forever
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
OPENAIR-MARKET NET
National Association of Development Organizations
References:
Gregson, Bob. Rebirth of the Small Family Farm: A Handbook for Starting a Successful Organic Farm Based on the Concepts of Community Supported Agriculture. Island Meadow Farms. Vashon Island, WA. 1996.
McFadden, Steven and Trauger M. Groh. Farms of Tomorrow Revisited: Community Supported Farms, Farm Supported Communities. Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association. San Francisco, CA. 1998.
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