Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/uar2.70048
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Perceived sustainability impacts of converting to community-supported agriculture
Author Egli, L. ORCID logo ; Haf, H.S.; Schmidt, J.; Zech, M.
Source Titel Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems
Year 2026
Department CLE
Volume 11
Issue 1
Page From art. e70048
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements Supplement 1
Abstract

Given the negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts of agriculture, a transformation toward more sustainable food production is urgently needed. A conversion to community-supported agriculture (CSA), where producers and consumers are linked through long-term partnerships, holds the promise to positively affect sustainability at the farm to regional level, yet studies addressing multiple sustainability aspects simultaneously and from the perspective of converting farms still remain scarce. In this exploratory study, we conducted a quantitative survey to assess perceived sustainability impacts (regarding biodiversity, climate and water, soil fertility, working conditions, farm economy, regional economy, society, and members) from the perspective of farmers that converted to CSA and of farmers interested in converting to CSA. For most aspects, perceived sustainability impacts were clearly positive. Regarding climate and water, adverse impacts were anticipated, for example, resulting from increased water usage associated with the integration of vegetable production. Farmers of CSAs with medium to high member participation perceived significantly higher biodiversity impacts (e.g., crop diversity) and assumed more positive sustainability impacts for members (e.g., social cohesion). In line with previous findings on organic agriculture and CSA in particular, our study suggests that CSA could contribute to sustainable regional food systems. However, long-term studies actually measuring sustainability effects are needed to ultimately reveal the potential of CSA.


Egli, L., Haf, H.S., Schmidt, J., Zech, M. (2026):
Perceived sustainability impacts of converting to community-supported agriculture
Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems 11 (1), art. e70048
10.1002/uar2.70048