Ontario CSA Survey
The Organic Council of Ontario has now released the results of a survey conducted to provide greater insight into Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) operations in Ontario. The report provides demographic information on current CSA operators, farm operation size, type, ownership structure; operational aspects (including share structure, and labour), certification status, sales and marketing needs and operational business variables including top line financial information. The survey respondents reflect approximately 30% of the CSA operators in Ontario.
Highlights from the report:
- 34% of the CSA operators who participated in the survey are between the ages of 26-35 years, 23% are between 36-45 years, compared to an approximate average age of 53 for Ontario farmers
- 73% of CSA operators are highly educated, having achieved a university degree, whereas the percentage of total farm operators in Ontario with a university degree is approximately 13%
- 60% of CSA operators are relatively new to farming, having farming experience of 10 years or less
- Most CSA operators surveyed grow vegetables and identified that vegetables represent the majority (70%) of products available for sale through their CSA operation. Some respondents offer a variety of items including fruit (30%), flowers (20%), and eggs (13%)
- 56% of CSAs farm an area of 10 acres or less, compared to the average Ontario vegetable farm acreage of 40 acres; 34% of CSAs are operating farms over 50 acres
- The average annual sales reported for CSA operations is $34,703, with most operations (25%) achieving sales between $10,000 and $20,000
- 88% of CSA operators who disclosed costs/net revenue claimed their operation was profitable
- Excluding CSA operations that are in their first year of business, all but one operation has achieved growth over the past 5 years
Last Updated: 2009-03-20 12:47:52