The estimates vary, but there are between 1,500 and 2,000 CSAs currently operating in the U.S. We’ve calculated that about 200 new CSAs are started every year.

Some CSAs are started by farms that have operated for many years under different models -i.e. selling at farmers’ markets or selling to stores.  In these cases, the farmers have recognized the potential stability provided by selling CSA shares and involving community members in more of the farms’ operations and labor needs.

Many new CSA’s however, are started by groups or partnerships of friends, most of whom have recently graduated from college and view farming as a noble way to make a living and build a life.

A USA Today article from three days ago profiles a few of these young farmers and describes some of the challenges they face.  Chief among these challenges are the complex tax systems, tenuous land-lease agreements and lack of subsidies for small-scale farming.

It is often difficult, if not impossible for new farmers to purchase the land on which they farm.  While the landowners get tax breaks for leasing the land for agriculture, the farmers themselves cannot always be sure that the land won’t be sold.

Yet, as the phrase “Community Supported Agriculture” indicates, the system requires the hard work, support and common vision of groups of people.  Whenever and wherever community support can assuage the uncertainties and risks of starting CSA ventures, it is welcomed.

Thus, contrary to the notion that small-scale farming and farmers are techo-phobes and denouncers of modern life, many young farmers embrace technology – specifically, online communications platforms – that enable and enhance their ability to develop communities around their farms.

“Along with their Facebooking, Twittering contemporaries, they also share a zeal to tell the world about their farms and their lives. Almost every farm has a website and many have blogs where the farmers post news of their trials and tribulations, from trying to get a loan from the county agricultural agent to the problems of building a reliable fence to keep deer out.”

-Elizabeth Weise, USA Today

In an article on civileats.com from last month, MK Wyle points out that, though technology can and should in no way diminish a reliance on nature, it can be very helpful in improving the processes of small-scale farming.