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October 12, 2008 7:43:13 AM CDT

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Forget the Farmers Market: Buy the Farm

Posted Jul 10, 08 3:45 AM CDT in Business,  US 

(Newser) – Consumers wanting food straight from the source are buying up shares of farms in growing numbers, the New York Times reports. For a set annual fee, shareholders buy access to the land and a guaranteed share of the harvest income. The number of community-supported farms in America has mushroomed from 100 in the early '90s to almost 1,500 today.

Farmers get a guaranteed income out of the deal, while the modern sharecroppers often earn green peace of mind, bucket-loads of seasonal fruits and veggies—and, if they choose to help work the land, plenty of exercise. "I think people are becoming more local-minded, and this fits right into that,” said a farmshare coordinator. "People are seeing ways to come together and work together to make this successful.”

Source New York Times

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Jason McKenney, right, and business partner Rachael Van Laanen weed strawberries on their organic farm in Half Moon Bay, California.   (KRT Photos)
Shareholders in farms aren't required to help work the land, but many choose to and enjoy the workout.   ((c) jesssloss)
Juan Perez stands in his field of organic corn grown on two acres of land leased through the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association.   (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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