How Veteran CSA Operators Actually Run High-Retention Programs
Download a candid 70-minute panel on production planning, fulfillment systems, retention, and what three farmers would change if they were just getting started in 2026.
Meet The Panel
Farmers Elaine (Full Belly Farm - Guinda, CA), Melanie (Shakefork Community Farm - Carlotta, CA), and Elizabeth (Singing Frogs Farm - Sebastopol, CA) collectively serve thousands of CSA members and have decades of experience running large, resilient programs.
They’ve navigated changing consumer expectations, operational breakdowns, staff turnover, and rapid growth — and stayed profitable. This panel isn’t theory. It’s hard-earned experience from farmers who’ve made CSAs work long-term.
Most CSA Resources Focus on Marketing
This conversation focuses on what actually makes a CSA work — from the field to the pickup site to member loyalty.
These farmers have built programs serving hundreds to thousands of members. They've made the mistakes, fixed the systems, and kept their farms sustainable.
This panel shares what they've learned.
Production Planning That Holds Up
Forecasting quantities, balancing CSA with other outlets, and avoiding planning mistakes that quietly hurt retention.
Fulfillment Systems That Protect Trust
Pickup flow, miscount prevention, staff training, and fixing mistakes without losing member confidence.
Retention & Sustainable Growth
What drives renewals, how farmers communicate without burning out, and how they grow through referrals and pickup partners.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Get a behind-the-scenes view into how 100–1,000+ member programs balance growth without burning out, with honest insight into what they’d change if starting over in 2026.
Build a Stronger CSA This Season
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