Deep dive into CSA's (flower subscriptions) as a main sales outlet with Alchemy Farmhouse

In our latest interview, I sat down with Lauren of Alchemy Farm House, located in the Hudson Valley NY. Lauren is entering into year 4 of growing and has largely sold her flowers through a CSA subscription. She has now grown this subscription to 45 shares this winter! We take a deep dive and talk about all things related to CSA, including:
Why a CSA?
Biggest challenges with running a CSA
Starting CSA size and scaling it up
Structuring a CSA
Approaching small businesses to partner with
Pricing
General thoughts about having a CSA as a main sales outlet
I hope you find this interview as helpful as I did. You can find Lauren at www.alchemyfarmhouse.com/ and @alchemyfarmhouseblooms on Instagram
Did you know that for every 1 minute in an interview, it takes me about 3 minutes to edit? Interviews are the most time-consuming type of video to edit for me, but I do it because I feel there are so many gems in these conversations. Want to support me to be able to record more interviews? You can do so by joining my Patreon for $5 a month. You'll get access to more valuable, gated content too!
www.patreon.com/bareflowerfarm

[@andrewcrabb8407]

This was great. Really useful information. Very concise. All summarised. So generous. I love the whole ethos of educating the customer, to help them get more simple value from your guidelines and what you truly have to offer. Amazing.

[@bareflowerfarm]

So glad to hear this. Totally agree, educating the customer was one of my main takeaways. I knew this in theory but the rigor to which Lauren does it is to another level! Thanks for the feedback.

[@NatalyaBerezneva]

Great interview! I was afraid of starting a CSA, but now feeling like it’s possible for my small business. I would love to see interview episodes every week! It’s good content that never ages.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Glad this gave you the courage to consider a CSA this year. I would LOVE to do more interviews. They just take forever to edit. I've considered outsourcing it but youtube editing rates are outrageous!

[@vivherman2296]

This was very interesting!! I've been wondering about how to change things out as I'm getting older, and tired of doing farmers markets. I'm a small market grower,,and I do have some repeat customers. CSA always made me nervous...because of crop failure,sickness, anything. But I do have a cute shop about 10 min. away and thought of seeing if I could leave bouquets there/set up a stand there. This just keeps the wheels turning!! Thanks!!!

[@bareflowerfarm]

That's so fantastic to hear! Now that I'm halfway through my biggest CSA yet (winter tulips), I actually really want to expand that for next year. Maybe not 45 but closer to 30-35 ish! It is just so much easier than trying to push stems every week!

[@megansmith9356]

I LOVED this interview! Thank you so much, Jessie and Lauren for sharing your experience. This was so inspiring!

[@bareflowerfarm]

So glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@firehorsewoman414]

Fantastic interview! What a great “farm” neighbor you are, Lauren.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Thanks so much!

[@suzannemoak6394]

Thank you both for putting this interview together. I learned so much and greatly appreciate your time and information.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Glad this was helpful!

[@margielliott6389]

So interesting, great interview! Thank you both so much! 😃

[@RachelArchelaus]

I LOVE her boundaries! Such goals.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Yes!!! I implemented some but not all and my goal is to get to where Lauren is!

[@babystepsgardening9414]

Very interesting and INSPIRING interview! My favorite part, building community and setting boundaries.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Yes! Totally agree. My two main takeaways too!

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

Yay, another flower farmer who doesn't/didn't use social media to build her business!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Guerilla marketing is still alive! In all fairness, she employs both but I LOVED hearing about how she actually talked to and interacted with strangers in her community.

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

@@bareflowerfarm I did not know that in person marketing is now called guerilla marketing. I have now googled the term and am reading up on it.

[@bareflowerfarm]

I definitely used the term loosely. True Guerilla marketing is to get out on the street and disrupt pedestrian life to get attention. Serina from You can’t eat the grass actually did it last year with her flower wall during the fire to thank first responders. So less so talking to people on the street but still having a presence on the street!

[@melaniesloyer1253]

Fabulous information! Thank you so much.

[@netamel]

Thank you both for sharing so much great info! I’ve subscribed to both Lauren’s IG and Corrine’s podcast 🌸

[@bareflowerfarm]

So glad it was helpful!

[@user-qv9gm4bt4d]

This soooo good!! Doing my first CSA this year. Tweeking my pickup day and going to visit shops close me to get people on board. There are so many gems in this video!!! Thank you to both of you!!!❤❤❤

[@bareflowerfarm]

I'm so glad to hear this! I hope it goes well for you!

[@michellebeatty7899]

Loved this interview! I also love Lagusta chocolate - the tahini meltaways are so good!

[@bareflowerfarm]

Yay!! You've been there! Are you close by to Hudson Valley?

[@michellebeatty7899]

I’m in NWNJ but I actually order online. Totally worth it.

[@blessildajoy]

Thanks to this I've found a Sheep farm! Gardiner is under an hour from me, most sheep dairy I've found are farther away.

[@bareflowerfarm]

Aww yay! That's so awesome! What a great unintended benefit of this interview :)

[@jordonsflowerfarm]

Thanks for such a great video!!

[@bareflowerfarm]

♥️♥️♥️

[@spiritranger9202]

Very informative!

[@mimlauj6869]

Great info!

[@TaureanDreams]

Thank you!

[@sabinefreund-andersen1425]

This was really interesting and usefull 😊

[@bareflowerfarm]

Glad to hear this!

[@juliematthews5107]

Interesting and fun interview. Lauren I wonder if social media has been used by your CSA members to build the community you are looking for, i.e. they comment and chat on you posts.