Plymouth's West End Farm celebrates, embraces CSA week

PLYMOUTH, Neb. - Sharing your product with the community - one of the best parts of running a business, or even a farm. 

That’s the model for Community Supported Agriculture. CSA is a farm membership system that allows customers to receive a “share” of the farm’s freshly harvested produce each week.

One southeast Nebraska farm is taking part in celebrating CSA week. 

“We raise over 50 kinds of vegetables, berries, melons and herbs that tall go into our CSA boxes and we take it to two different farmers markets and also sell it through our online store”

Katie Jantzen is a fifth generation farmer who has run West End Farm in Plymouth for over a decade. She says enjoys the community aspect CSA presents, as well as the efficiency it provides her operation. 

“The fact that we can get the money up front in the spring, when we have all of our capital outlay for fertilizer, seeds, and all our supply for the year,” Jantzen said. “That model helps us continue to farm without having to take out operating loans.”

With a decade down, Jantzen looks ahead to the future of West End. With the help CSA, she believes the future is bright. 

“CSA is the model I built this farm around because I really enjoy meeting my customers and getting to know the families who eat my food,” Jantzen said. “This is something I want to continue to develop throughout my farming career.”