MACSAC Home About MACSAC About Community Supported Agriculture Find a CSA farm MACSAC resources Get involved with MACSAC From Asparagus to Zucchini cookbook MACSAC

How to become a MACSAC endorsed farm:

  1. Fill out and hand in the New Grower Application by November 15. No late applications will be accepted due to the printing deadlines for our farm list.
  2. A meeting/interview will be set up with the MACSAC New Grower Committee who reviews the application and with new farmers to clarify application responses, provide details on the coalition, ask follow-up questions and answer any questions.
  3. New Grower Committee makes a recommendation to the MACSAC board about formal endorsement of applicant farm for the coming season.
  4. Farm is notified of decision by December 31.
New Grower Applicant Guidelines
These guidelines assist MACSAC’s New Grower Committee in evaluating applicant farms to be formally promoted by the coalition.

Secure Land & Adequate Infrastructure

  • Either own land or have rental agreement in place offering some assurance of ability to continue growing on that land.
  • Appropriate level of mechanization for amount of acreage in production
  • Provision for irrigating crops in dry weather
  • Provision for cooling crops when harvested and cool storage until delivery

Farm Production and Management Experience

  • Preferred minimum of two seasons growing/farming experience (including internships/farm employment)
  • Preferred minimum of 1 year with primary responsibility for all or significant portion of a farm operation
  • Adequate labor capacity given size of operation
  • MACSAC strongly encourages those with limited growing experience to work toward developing a CSA by selling at a farmers’ market or to other markets prior to making commitments to CSA members

Utilize Organic Farming Practices, Organic Certification Policy

  • As of January 1, 2025 MACSAC requires endorsed farm members to provide documentation of Organic certification (newly endorsed farm members have until March of their first endorsed year to file certification applications) *exemptions exist for farms that sell less than $5,000/year.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of USDA Organic Standards
  • Demonstrated knowledge of soil building techniques and organic pest control
  • Demonstrated plan for weed control

Provide Quality Marketing & Membership Experience

  • Experience communicating/selling food directly to people, stores, restaurants, or others.
  • Demonstrate commitment to offering products that are of value to your members.
  • Offer opportunities for member involvement.
  • Solicit member feedback.
  • Clear, regular communication with members.
  • Clear, detailed descriptions of your CSA program for potential members.

Understanding of CSA and CSA Experience

  • Demonstrated understanding of CSA basics, preferably experience growing with the model.
  • Provisions for diversity of items to be provided in share.  
  • Knowledge and skills to reliably plan for, grow, harvest, package, and deliver goods to members.

Agreement to participate in the Coalition

  • Attend the annual meeting in person or by proxy.
  • Pay the annual membership fee, $20-$50.
  • Actively participate in at least one MACSAC committee.
  • Communicate information about MACSAC programs to farm members.
  • Provide MACSAC with annual farm information.

Endorsed Farm Benefits
Farms that are formally endorsed by MACSAC enjoy the following benefits:

  • Listing in the annual CSA Farm Directory
    Distributed through Sustainable Times newspaper to over 21,000 Wisconsin households 
  • Table at the annual Madison CSA Open House
    Attended each year by over 1,000 people and publicized in statewide media including the Wisconsin State Journal, Isthmus, Sustainable Times and more 
  • Listing on the MACSAC website
    Receives over 270,000 hits each year. www.macsac.org
  • Financial assistance for low-income households
    The Partner Shares program subsidizes 50% of the cost of your share for low-income households.
    (Eligibility after one full season in the Coalition)
  • Offer your members $100-$300 cash back
    Health Plan Partner Reimbursements allow members of MACSAC endorsed farms access to reimbursements for joining. Coalition and farm publicity through our Health Plan Partners is distributed widely to over 120,000 subscribers.
  • Farmer-to-farmer mentorship and support
    Grower gatherings, Grower Mentorship program, communication with other CSA growers, and opportunities for bulk supplies purchasing
  • Member services by MACSAC staff
    MACSAC responds to thousands of general emails and calls each year, organizes events, administers the Partner Shares program, fundraises, promotes farms and CSA, and guides new members through choosing farms.
  • Opportunities to participate in other promotions and benefits by MACSAC and be promoted by MACSAC staff and volunteers at numerous speaking engagements and public events throughout the year.

Endorsed Farm Agreement
All farms the apply and are accepted to be formally endorsed by MACSAC are:
REQUIRED TO:
  • Attend the annual meeting in person or by proxy
  • Pay the annual membership fee, $20-$50
  • Provide documentation of Organic Certification, or provide certification described in MACSAC's Organic Certification Policy
STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO:
  • Communicate information about MACSAC programs to their farm members including the Partner Shares Program, Health Insurance Reimbursements, A-Z Foodbook, and MACSAC events
  • Provide MACSAC with annual information regarding acreage, number of members, share prices, etc
  • Provide members with the opportunity to make donations to the Partner Shares Fund or a farm specific low-income assistance fund
  • Actively participate in at least one MACSAC committee (Finance committee, New Grower committee, Partner Shares committee, Foodbook committee, Land Trust Partnership, Grower Gathering organizing, or Board of Directors)