量能付費制度是由商業團體或政府機構所採用，依據顧客、付費者的支付能力和意願而決定價格。在美國的運作情況中，除了部分企業採用這種方式以外，政府稅務體系也是以此為依據；台灣的稅務體系和健保制度也採用此原則。換言之，你賺的錢越多，你越有能力支持那系統的運作。
量能付費的目的是，讓每個人、或任何想參與的人，不論其收入高低，都能獲得那件商品或勞務；因此在量能付費制度中，某個人支付與其他人不同的價格，可說是必然的結果。
量能付費制度的兩種運作方式
1.架構較嚴謹的方式
由事業體依據客戶的收入情況、付款能力、需求、特性，進行多方考量之後制定價格，客戶必須接受由經營者所訂的價格，例如年收入30萬元者支付1萬元、收入50萬元者支付2萬元，收入100萬元以上者支付3萬元；在健保制度中常可見到這種方式。
2.架構較鬆散的方式
在美國的藝文活動和部分餐飲業中，較常見到這種制度，它是由付費者依據自己的能力和意願決定價格。在入口處會公告一個建議價格，但那只是供作參考。在這種方式下，低收入者可能支付比高收入者更高的價格。你付費的金額是依據該商品或勞務對你自己的價值高低而決定，不是由他人。它的基礎不只是你的支付能力，還包括背後的榮譽精神----人們會以自己為榮，不會利用這套制度貪小便宜，只支付不合理的偏低價格。
美國著名的社區協力農業實踐者Elizabeth Henderson，採用稍微不同的量能付費制度，她的CSA成員有三種價格可以選擇，「一般」股價是（每年）400美金，收入較低者可選擇200美金，收入較高者可選擇600美金。實際運作的結果是她們的CSA計畫每年都可獲得平均400元的收入，剛好足夠計畫運作所需。
博仲-阿輝CSA量能付費制度：由參與者自行在新台幣300～640元之間，選取要支付的價格。目前每週5種菜、每種半斤，有三種價格：300、400、640元。
為什麼要向阿輝購買蔬菜
那裡的蔬菜至少有四個明顯的好處：
1.阿輝的蔬菜非常新鮮，當天採收，從農場直接運送到辦公室，幾乎是你能買到最新鮮、最營養的蔬菜；
2.改善阿輝農場的土地，那裡的土壤持續採用劉力學的堆肥模式，利用廚餘改產土壤；
3.沒有施用任何化學肥料或殺蟲劑；
4.土壤和蔬菜每年會送給相關單位檢測重金屬，過去三年的結果皆低於政府規範標準。
其他值得支持的理由
1.向阿輝買菜也就是支持台北近郊的農場，不僅維持都會區的綠地，也保護那裏的昆蟲、鳥類等動植物多樣性。
2.就地購買食物，可降低食物里程，減少運輸的能源消耗。
3.阿輝參與反對彈藥庫地區開發的計畫，而辭去原本較高薪的工作，支持他的農園也是在支持當地居民反對政府不當的開發，幫助台灣小型有機農場的存續。
4.彈藥庫地區是台灣數個環保團體合力保護的重要地區，支持當地居民也是抵抗財團和貪腐的政客。
事實上，量能付費原則不僅和博仲的經營方針「我們能支付給妳的永遠不夠」相契合，也符合尊重多元的綠色精神。不妨再看一次博仲關鍵書目「富足人生的原動力」中的例子，Jean描述她購買甘蔗的「交易」經驗，甘蔗商一直問她是否要再多拿些甘蔗，她不斷說好，直到她發現應該有個「合理的價格」，而那價格會因為每個人的需求和能力而有所不同。
Sliding scale fee structure is a way for a business or government agency to charge a fee that suits the ability of the customer or client’s ability or willingness to pay. This practice is relatively common in the US in some businesses and is in fact how the taxation system is structured. In Taiwan, it is also used in taxation and health care e.g., the more you make the more ability you have to support the system.
The main goal of instituting a sliding scale fee option is to make the product or service available to all, or nearly all who seeks it, regardless of income, and still operate a sound business. It is entirely acceptable in a sliding scale fee structure that one person pays a different amount than the next person.
Here are two ways that sliding scale fee option can work.
1. A more structured way:
A business or agency can set up a fee structure according to ability to pay based on income. A customer or client is required to pay a certain amount that the company or agency determines is reasonable for their them, taking into consideration all their needs and abilitiesbottom line. For instance, a person making $25,000 pays $15; $50,000 pays $30; and $100,000 pays $60, etc. This is a common practice in the healthcare system.
2. A much less structured way:
In the US, often at arts events and even an occasional restaurant, the sliding scale means that a person pays what s/he is able to and feels like paying. There is a suggested amount at the door, but one does NOT have to pay that amount. In this system, it is possible that a person of a lower income can actually pay more than a person of higher income. The amount you pay is based on your judgment of how much the product or service you are paying for is worth to you. It is not simply based on your ability to pay. It is also based on the honor system—that people will be honorable and not take advantage of the system, i.e., pay an “unreasonably” low price.
The well known US practitioner of CSA, Elizabeth Henderson’s CSA , offers a slightly different sliding scale fee structure. There are three options from which her CSA shareholders can choose. There is a “regular” share that is around $400. Those with a lower income may choose to pay around $200. Those with higher income can choose to pay $600. She informed us that with everyone paying at the level s/he chooses, the CSA has always been able to get an average of about $400 per share in the end, which is what the CSA requires to operate.
At WP-Ahui CSA, the Core Group would like to suggest that we adopt a version of a sliding scale fee structure that allows us to provide members with high-quality, ultra-fresh organic vegetables at the same time that we obtain a fair price for Ahui. Setting this price has been a laborious process. However, after many hours of discussion and research, the Core Group would like to recommend the following:
WP-Ahui CSA sliding scale fee structure:
A. No change. Pay current base price (the same as the price at the farm): NT$80 per jin
B. Pay suggested CSA price: NT$100 per jin
C. Pay any amount above $80 per jin. ________________________at least one person has stated they will pay the rate that Pierre charges
(This amount is anything above $80, could be $90, or $120 or …)
Comparison of some organic/no-toxin vegetables on the market.
(Prices are shown at per 100g for ease of comparison. For example, Ahui’s price is $80 per jin which is 600g. Each 100g is $13.3) More details are available, if desired.
Per 100g of vegetables (leafy greens) price sold at the farm, or store, NOT delivered
土城 阿輝 無毒 $13.3 (at farm) current price
家樂福 有機 $14 (at store)
新竹 鮮活有機 $14 (at 家樂福)
土城 阿輝 無毒 $16.7 (at CSA) suggested price
花蓮 壽豐無毒 $16-18 (website price, delivery extra)
烏來 福山 $18 (includes delivery, but I'm not 100% sure)
三芝 劉力學 無毒 $32 (at farm)
Reasons why WP-Ahui CSA members would want to buy Ahui’s vegetables.
The vegetables: Four obvious reasons that the vegetables are superior.
1. Ahui’s vegetables are ultra-fresh as they are picked on the same day that they are delivered and travel a very short distance between farm and you. It is likely the freshest and most nutritious you can buy.
2. Ahui’s soil is enriched with compost made with Liu Lixue’s (Pierre Loisel) composting methods using a wide range of food wastes. This compost is also known as “black gold” as it is the best soil amendment there is.
3. No chemical fertilizer or pesticides are ever applied.
4. The soil and vegetables are annually checked by農委會(?) for residues for heavy metals. For the last three years and they have shown amounts much lower than government standards.
Other worthy reasons you might consider:
1. Buying Ahui’s vegetables means supporting a farm just on the outskirts of Taipei city center. You help our metropolis retain more green space. Ahui’s farm provides a safe haven for insects and small animals alike, and hawks and herons are regularly seen flying above.
2. The short distance that the vegetables travel means that you are making a smaller carbon footprint buying these vegetables than those that traveled from Hsinchu, or Changhua, or Pingdong.
3. Ahui took a pay-cut to come back to farm the land at Tucheng Dan-yao-ku which is at risk of being developed by the City of Tucheng. He and his wife are supporting two children both requiring college tuition at this time. Ahui wants to make it financially working as a small organic farmer. By supporting Ahui’s farm, you are supporting the people of Dan-yao-ku area against the city’s push to develop this area, AND helping to keep more small organic farms alive in Taiwan.
4. the Tucheng area of Ahui’s farm is one of the major environmental protection projects for a number of groups in Taiwan, including the Green Party, Wild at Heart, OURS and so on. By supporting the residents of the area we are actually enhancing their ability to resist the developers and corrupt politicians.
In fact the sliding scale idea is very much in line with the WP policy of “we can never pay you enough” as well as the Greens ideas on promoting diversity. Also, take another look if you have time at one of WP’s core books “The Continuum Concept” (although Pierre didn’t care for the book!) where Jean describes her “transaction” involving her receiving sugar cane in an exchange and the supplier kept asking her if she would like more and she kept saying yes until she realized there is a “right price” but it could be different depending on a persons needs and abilities.
2011年3月23日 星期三
博仲法律事務所及輝要無毒菜園社群協力農業計畫章程
博仲法律事務所及輝要無毒菜園社群協力農業計畫章程
社區協力農業有別於自由市場制度，是生產者和消費者一同合作，共同承擔風險的生產與生活方式。請點選「*」以獲得更多計畫背景
參與者農園：新北市土城區埤塘里輝要無毒菜園。
農民：邱顯輝（阿輝）及其家人會員：凡博仲事務所之同仁及其親友皆可參與。
參與者應先閱讀並簽名同意本說明書。
願景
1.降低大規模農業對於自然環境與人類社會的損害。
2.協助小農耕作，促進永續農業，消費者共同分擔生產風險
3.維持土城彈藥庫地區的生物多樣性。
4.讓農民獲得生活穩定的基本收入。
5.提供會員新鮮、安全、健康、多樣的食物。
6.讓會員認識作物的生長過程、家庭農場的經營，並參與田間勞動。
7.透過烹調示範與食譜分享，提昇會員的烹飪能力。
8.建立可複製的CSA/ESA 平台
農場管理的承諾
1.輝要無毒農園採用無毒栽培的耕作模式
2.輝要無毒農園持續採用自製堆肥的方式改良土壤
農場參訪由本計畫核心成員不定期舉辦農事講座、農事體驗、會員聯誼等活動。
付款和遞送制度
1.每星期配送一次蔬菜。
2.可由多人合購一個股份。
3.本計劃的收入提撥一部分作為的管理基金。
4從2011年1月開始，採用在月初預先付款的方式。 （目前正在討論，是否延長為每季或更長的預先付費模式。）
5.蔬菜的價格應該至少每年檢視一次，原則上在12月的第一週進行。
6.蔬菜的包裝材料，應採用可再生、可重複利用的資材。
7.會員應自備袋子或裝盛的器物。
管理基金
本計劃的收入提撥一部分作為管理基金
本基金的運途包括：
1.幫助農場設備改良和採購必要的資材
2.本計劃的宣傳
3.社群至農場交流參訪的活動費用
4.社群服務的行政支出
5.協助小農度過天災欠收的補助金
核心小組
由計畫參與成員中的一小群人組成核心小組。這小組每週舉行會議，討論與本計劃相關的任何問題，並決定管理基金的用途。每週會議開放給所有會員參與。開會通知和會議記錄會存放在網路上。
目標
短期（2011年上半年）
1.在2011年六月之前至少進行一次農場參訪活動
2.增加會員人數達25人
3.調整價格
4.建立CSA會員通訊群組
5.和台灣社群協力農業協會進行互動
6.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
7.期間更長的預付制度，讓阿輝的農場規劃更靈活。
8.引入浮動定價的付費制度。
9.了解農場運作的成本，估算阿輝合理的報酬，並且讓既有或潛在會員不會因為價格因素而退出參與
10.評估轉型為股東模式的利弊與可能性l
中期（2011年下半年）
1.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
2.持續招募新會員，列出會員候補名單，達到阿輝的供應上限。
長期（2012-2013）
1.以劉力學臨海農場之堆肥方法為目標，對於阿輝的蔬菜或農耕方法進行某些「認證」
2.深化會員與農場之間的連結，讓會員實際幫忙農事。
3.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
4.觸發另一個新的社群協力農業
5.觸發另一座無毒農園
社區協力農業有別於自由市場制度，是生產者和消費者一同合作，共同承擔風險的生產與生活方式。請點選「*」以獲得更多計畫背景
參與者農園：新北市土城區埤塘里輝要無毒菜園。
農民：邱顯輝（阿輝）及其家人會員：凡博仲事務所之同仁及其親友皆可參與。
參與者應先閱讀並簽名同意本說明書。
願景
1.降低大規模農業對於自然環境與人類社會的損害。
2.協助小農耕作，促進永續農業，消費者共同分擔生產風險
3.維持土城彈藥庫地區的生物多樣性。
4.讓農民獲得生活穩定的基本收入。
5.提供會員新鮮、安全、健康、多樣的食物。
6.讓會員認識作物的生長過程、家庭農場的經營，並參與田間勞動。
7.透過烹調示範與食譜分享，提昇會員的烹飪能力。
8.建立可複製的CSA/ESA 平台
農場管理的承諾
1.輝要無毒農園採用無毒栽培的耕作模式
2.輝要無毒農園持續採用自製堆肥的方式改良土壤
農場參訪由本計畫核心成員不定期舉辦農事講座、農事體驗、會員聯誼等活動。
付款和遞送制度
1.每星期配送一次蔬菜。
2.可由多人合購一個股份。
3.本計劃的收入提撥一部分作為的管理基金。
4從2011年1月開始，採用在月初預先付款的方式。 （目前正在討論，是否延長為每季或更長的預先付費模式。）
5.蔬菜的價格應該至少每年檢視一次，原則上在12月的第一週進行。
6.蔬菜的包裝材料，應採用可再生、可重複利用的資材。
7.會員應自備袋子或裝盛的器物。
管理基金
本計劃的收入提撥一部分作為管理基金
本基金的運途包括：
1.幫助農場設備改良和採購必要的資材
2.本計劃的宣傳
3.社群至農場交流參訪的活動費用
4.社群服務的行政支出
5.協助小農度過天災欠收的補助金
核心小組
由計畫參與成員中的一小群人組成核心小組。這小組每週舉行會議，討論與本計劃相關的任何問題，並決定管理基金的用途。每週會議開放給所有會員參與。開會通知和會議記錄會存放在網路上。
目標
短期（2011年上半年）
1.在2011年六月之前至少進行一次農場參訪活動
2.增加會員人數達25人
3.調整價格
4.建立CSA會員通訊群組
5.和台灣社群協力農業協會進行互動
6.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
7.期間更長的預付制度，讓阿輝的農場規劃更靈活。
8.引入浮動定價的付費制度。
9.了解農場運作的成本，估算阿輝合理的報酬，並且讓既有或潛在會員不會因為價格因素而退出參與
10.評估轉型為股東模式的利弊與可能性l
中期（2011年下半年）
1.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
2.持續招募新會員，列出會員候補名單，達到阿輝的供應上限。
長期（2012-2013）
1.以劉力學臨海農場之堆肥方法為目標，對於阿輝的蔬菜或農耕方法進行某些「認證」
2.深化會員與農場之間的連結，讓會員實際幫忙農事。
3.促成更多自發的農場參訪。
4.觸發另一個新的社群協力農業
5.觸發另一座無毒農園
博仲法律事務所的社群協力農業 簡介
博仲法律事務所的社群協力農業 2011年2月
什麼是社區協力農業？
社區協力農業在1960年代起源於德國、瑞士和日本，至今已經蔓延到世界上許多地方。在1984年，Jan VanderTuin將它從歐洲引入北美地區時，創造了「『社區協力』農業」（Community-Supported Agriculture）這個詞彙。社區協力農業的農場通常是小規模，並且採行永續利用的有機耕作方法。社區協力農業已經在美國紮根多年。目前光是全美國境內，就有大約 2000個社區協力農業。當越來越多的人開始選擇健康、有機的產品，這不僅有益身體健康也對土地友善，社區協力農業的發展想必也將越來越蓬勃。
分擔風險
社區協力農業的基本概念非常簡單----農民提供食物、而消費者同意支持農場。但是，任何社區協力農業的核心觀念都是：農民和消費者彼此成為合作夥伴，彼此之間交織的互動遠高於一般的商業交易。在社區協力農業中，一群消費者共同投資以換取農場的收成，消費者不僅承諾會長期購買該農場的產品，也會幫忙承擔農業本身固有的風險。要達成這目的的方法是由消費者購買農場的「股份」，而農民則以每週提供蔬菜的方式作為回報（雖然有些社區協力農業供應的是肉類和其他農產品）。一般來說，美國的情況是農民會在整個生長季節開始之前，收齊整年耕作所需要的費用，並承諾提供一年中數個星期的食物。
藉著預先付款，社區協力農業的成員幫助農民把重心放在農耕事務、以及耕作所需的資材設備採購，不必擔心市場銷售的問題。成員從中所獲得的回報，是超級新鮮的有機農產品，往往是當天採收就被運送到手上。農場豐收時大家有福同享，農場欠收時大家也有難同當
在美國有些農場採用「量能負擔」的收費結構----有能力多支付一些價格的人就多出一些，因此無力承擔一般會費條件的人，同樣也可以獲得新鮮的有機農產品。
股東的田間參與
社區協力農業的成員會以各種方式去認識為自己生產食物的農場。例如在特殊活動場合去拜訪農場；或是成為社區協力農業的核心小組，擔任志工幫忙行政事務。核心小組處理大大小小的各種事宜，從預算規劃到農產品配送，以及這兩端之間的任何問題。有些農場會提供食物換工的模式。透過親自動手參與，成員們變得和農場更貼近，也和供應自己食物的農民更緊密連結。與此同時，農民也認識了吃下他辛勞栽種的食物的人們。
吃當地
社區協力農業的服務對象通常是在鄰近社區。社區協力農業的成員可以獲得超新鮮、在地種植的食物，而不是經過數百甚至上千公里運輸而來的食物。因為跳過了中間商，直接銷售到消費者手中的方式，也讓農民獲得更多利潤。
當你成為社區協力農業的成員，你也就是在抵抗大規模、單一作物的工業化農業，那不僅摧毀了小農場，也破壞土地。社區協力農業讓我們有機會把社區行動融入日常生活當中。當我們吃下當地栽植的有機作物，我們不僅改善自己的健康，也不只促成我們社區整體的健康，更是在呵護我們生活所依的土地。
多變的樣貌
社區協力農業有非常多樣的運作模式，因為任何成員與農民都有他們獨特的需求。例如在台灣的兩個例子。青松米社區協力農業，在水稻耕種之前先收集股金，等水稻收成之後再分配稻穀。烏來福山農莊社區協力農業的運作方式則不太一樣，會員每年繳納新台幣6000元的會費，而蔬菜費用則另外計算。會費的目的是幫助農場渡過重大的天然災害（源自極端氣候或病蟲害）、或提升設備、購買種苗。蔬菜的費用是每週支付一次，或者預先收取一筆總款項，再依據蔬菜遞送的數量來扣除。
博仲法律事務所與輝要無毒農園的社區協力農業概述
在2009年，博仲法律事務所以及它所支持的一個環保團體蠻野心足生態協會，和土城阿輝的有機 /無毒農場形成了類似社區協力農業的關係。蠻野心足生態協會從2006年開始，就和農場所在地附近的農民們共同合作，避免該地區淪入高密度住宅和商業開發區的狀態。這些努力日後發展出更多成果，例如引介劉力學的堆肥技術、幫助阿輝行銷產品…等其他經營面向。基於社區協力農業的重要精神，博仲法律事務所的同事以直接購買蔬菜的方式支持阿輝的農場。
付款和遞送方式
每一季由博仲法律事務所預先付款一次，蔬菜是每週配送到公司，會員的費用則是每個月月底從薪資中扣除。
安全和行政基金
大約百分之十的會員費被提撥作為一筆安全和行政基金。這筆基金的目的是幫助農場改善必要的設備和資材、幫助農場應付天然災害帶來的損失、帶訪客參訪或是舉辦講座和活動、宣傳農場和社區協力農業、幫助支付社區協力農業的行政開支；此外，它也替農場提供農場了額外的財務安全。
核心小組
關心社區協力農業的一小群人組成一個核心小組，這小組每週進行開會，討論任何與社區協力農業相關的議題，並且決定安全/管理基金的支用；社區協力農業的成員和任何有興趣的人員都可參與每週的會議。社區協力農業的成員、博仲法律事務所及蠻野心足生態協會的成員會收到會議通知。會議記錄會透過電子信件寄發給成員，並在網路上建檔，開放檢閱。未來的計劃包括：擴大成員社群、尋找更多的農民/生產者，和其他小企業一起從事社區協力農業或企業協力農業。
Community-Supported Agriculture at Winkler Partners
February 2011
What is Community-Supported Agriculture?
Community-Supported Agriculture had its beginnings in the 1960s in Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Since then, it has spread to many other parts of the world. Jan VanderTuin coined the term community-supported agriculture in 1984 when he brought the idea from Europe to North America. CSA farms are generally small in scale and practice sustainable farming using organic methods. CSA has taken root in the United States over the years. Currently there is an estimate of about 2000 CSAs in the US alone. As more and more people seek healthy organic produce that is good for the body and good for the land, this number is expected continue to grow.
Sharing the Risk.
The basic idea of Community-Supported Agriculture is simple enough—the farmer provides the food and consumers in turn agree to support the farm. However, at the core of any CSA is the notion that farmers and consumers are partners engaged in an arrangement that goes beyond the usual commercial transaction. In a CSA, a community of consumers invested in the success of a farm come together to support the farm by pledging not only to purchase products of the farm over the long-term but also to help bear the inherent risk of farming itself. They do this by purchasing a “share” in a farm and in return the farmer provides vegetables (though some CSA offer meat and other farm products) on a weekly basis. Typically in the United States, the farmer collects the payment for the entire growing season prior to the start of the season and agrees to provide food for a set number of weeks.
By paying ahead, CSA members enable the farmer to focus on farming rather than worry about marketing and to purchase necessary materials and equipment in order to do the work. In return, members of the CSA get ultra-fresh organically grown produce often harvested on the same day that it is delivered. Everyone shares in the bounty of the farm and everyone suffers when crops fail.
Some farms in the US offer a sliding scale fee structure—those who are able to pay more, do so in order that those who can’t afford the regular membership can still have access to fresh organic produce.
Shareholders’ Involvement in the Farm.
CSA members are encouraged to become familiar with the farm in one way or another. Some simply visit the farm on special occasions. Others help in the administration of the CSA through a core group of volunteers. The group may deal with anything from budgeting to distribution and anything in between. Some farms offer food in exchange for work. Through hands-on involvement, members feel personally connected to the farm and the farmers who grow their food. At the same time, farmers get to know the people who eat the food they grow.
Eating Locally.
Generally, a CSA serves the community nearby. CSA members have access to ultra-fresh locally grown food that hasn’t traveled many hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Selling directly to the consumer means farmers keep more of the profit as they cut out the middleman.
By being a member of a CSA, consumers say “No” to large-scale, single-crop agriculture that destroys small farms and the land alike. CSAs give us the opportunity to put community action into our daily lives. By the very act of eating locally grown, organic produce, we improve not only our own health but also the health of our community, and the land on which we live.
Variations on the Theme.
Variations on the basic CSA model are abundant and are specific to the needs of members and farmers. Here are two examples in Taiwan. 青松米 is a CSA that collects money for shares of rice up front. Shares in rice are distributed when rice is harvested. Organized a little differently, the Fushan CSA 烏來福山農莊 charges an annual CSA membership fee of NT$6000 and vegetables are paid for separately. The purpose of the membership fee is to help the farm weather major crop loss (due to natural disaster or pest infestation), upgrade equipment, and purchase seedlings. Vegetables are paid either by the week or in a lump sum as a credit. Amounts are deducted as vegetables are delivered.
Description of the Winkler Partners/Hui-Yao Wu-du CSA
Winkler Partners and an environmental group supported by the firm, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association Taiwan, entered into a CSA-like relationship with Ahui’s organic/no-poison farm in Tucheng in 2009. Wild has been working with farmers in Ah-hui’s community since 2006 to help keep the area free from intensive housing and commercial development. Part of this work has involved introducing the farmers to advanced composting techniques developed by Pierre Loisel and helping with marketing and other aspects of Ah-hui’s business. Based on the spirit of the typical CSA, colleagues at WP support Ahui’s farm by buying his vegetables.
Payment and Delivery Structure.
The firm pays an advance amount quarterly and vegetables are delivered to WP weekly. Members have their CSA payments deducted at the end of each month.
Security and Administrative Fund.
About ten percent of the membership is put into a Security and Administrative Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help pay for necessary farm equipment upgrade and material; help the farm weather losses due to natural causes; promote farm and CSA by bringing visitors or through lectures and other events; help pay CSA administrative expenses; and in general provide additional financial security for the farm.
Core Group.
A small group of individuals interested in the CSA makes up a core group. The core group holds weekly meetings to discuss any and all issue concerning the CSA, and makes decisions on how the Security/Administration Fund is spent. The meeting is open to all members of the CSA and any interested parties. CSA members and WP and Wild at Heart employees are notified of meetings. Meeting notes are sent to CSA members by email and filed online. They are available by request. Future plans include helping to expand the member base, finding additional farmers/suppliers and working with other small enterprises to introduce CSA or ESA – enterprise supported agriculture.
什麼是社區協力農業？
社區協力農業在1960年代起源於德國、瑞士和日本，至今已經蔓延到世界上許多地方。在1984年，Jan VanderTuin將它從歐洲引入北美地區時，創造了「『社區協力』農業」（Community-Supported Agriculture）這個詞彙。社區協力農業的農場通常是小規模，並且採行永續利用的有機耕作方法。社區協力農業已經在美國紮根多年。目前光是全美國境內，就有大約 2000個社區協力農業。當越來越多的人開始選擇健康、有機的產品，這不僅有益身體健康也對土地友善，社區協力農業的發展想必也將越來越蓬勃。
分擔風險
社區協力農業的基本概念非常簡單----農民提供食物、而消費者同意支持農場。但是，任何社區協力農業的核心觀念都是：農民和消費者彼此成為合作夥伴，彼此之間交織的互動遠高於一般的商業交易。在社區協力農業中，一群消費者共同投資以換取農場的收成，消費者不僅承諾會長期購買該農場的產品，也會幫忙承擔農業本身固有的風險。要達成這目的的方法是由消費者購買農場的「股份」，而農民則以每週提供蔬菜的方式作為回報（雖然有些社區協力農業供應的是肉類和其他農產品）。一般來說，美國的情況是農民會在整個生長季節開始之前，收齊整年耕作所需要的費用，並承諾提供一年中數個星期的食物。
藉著預先付款，社區協力農業的成員幫助農民把重心放在農耕事務、以及耕作所需的資材設備採購，不必擔心市場銷售的問題。成員從中所獲得的回報，是超級新鮮的有機農產品，往往是當天採收就被運送到手上。農場豐收時大家有福同享，農場欠收時大家也有難同當
在美國有些農場採用「量能負擔」的收費結構----有能力多支付一些價格的人就多出一些，因此無力承擔一般會費條件的人，同樣也可以獲得新鮮的有機農產品。
股東的田間參與
社區協力農業的成員會以各種方式去認識為自己生產食物的農場。例如在特殊活動場合去拜訪農場；或是成為社區協力農業的核心小組，擔任志工幫忙行政事務。核心小組處理大大小小的各種事宜，從預算規劃到農產品配送，以及這兩端之間的任何問題。有些農場會提供食物換工的模式。透過親自動手參與，成員們變得和農場更貼近，也和供應自己食物的農民更緊密連結。與此同時，農民也認識了吃下他辛勞栽種的食物的人們。
吃當地
社區協力農業的服務對象通常是在鄰近社區。社區協力農業的成員可以獲得超新鮮、在地種植的食物，而不是經過數百甚至上千公里運輸而來的食物。因為跳過了中間商，直接銷售到消費者手中的方式，也讓農民獲得更多利潤。
當你成為社區協力農業的成員，你也就是在抵抗大規模、單一作物的工業化農業，那不僅摧毀了小農場，也破壞土地。社區協力農業讓我們有機會把社區行動融入日常生活當中。當我們吃下當地栽植的有機作物，我們不僅改善自己的健康，也不只促成我們社區整體的健康，更是在呵護我們生活所依的土地。
多變的樣貌
社區協力農業有非常多樣的運作模式，因為任何成員與農民都有他們獨特的需求。例如在台灣的兩個例子。青松米社區協力農業，在水稻耕種之前先收集股金，等水稻收成之後再分配稻穀。烏來福山農莊社區協力農業的運作方式則不太一樣，會員每年繳納新台幣6000元的會費，而蔬菜費用則另外計算。會費的目的是幫助農場渡過重大的天然災害（源自極端氣候或病蟲害）、或提升設備、購買種苗。蔬菜的費用是每週支付一次，或者預先收取一筆總款項，再依據蔬菜遞送的數量來扣除。
博仲法律事務所與輝要無毒農園的社區協力農業概述
在2009年，博仲法律事務所以及它所支持的一個環保團體蠻野心足生態協會，和土城阿輝的有機 /無毒農場形成了類似社區協力農業的關係。蠻野心足生態協會從2006年開始，就和農場所在地附近的農民們共同合作，避免該地區淪入高密度住宅和商業開發區的狀態。這些努力日後發展出更多成果，例如引介劉力學的堆肥技術、幫助阿輝行銷產品…等其他經營面向。基於社區協力農業的重要精神，博仲法律事務所的同事以直接購買蔬菜的方式支持阿輝的農場。
付款和遞送方式
每一季由博仲法律事務所預先付款一次，蔬菜是每週配送到公司，會員的費用則是每個月月底從薪資中扣除。
安全和行政基金
大約百分之十的會員費被提撥作為一筆安全和行政基金。這筆基金的目的是幫助農場改善必要的設備和資材、幫助農場應付天然災害帶來的損失、帶訪客參訪或是舉辦講座和活動、宣傳農場和社區協力農業、幫助支付社區協力農業的行政開支；此外，它也替農場提供農場了額外的財務安全。
核心小組
關心社區協力農業的一小群人組成一個核心小組，這小組每週進行開會，討論任何與社區協力農業相關的議題，並且決定安全/管理基金的支用；社區協力農業的成員和任何有興趣的人員都可參與每週的會議。社區協力農業的成員、博仲法律事務所及蠻野心足生態協會的成員會收到會議通知。會議記錄會透過電子信件寄發給成員，並在網路上建檔，開放檢閱。未來的計劃包括：擴大成員社群、尋找更多的農民/生產者，和其他小企業一起從事社區協力農業或企業協力農業。
Community-Supported Agriculture at Winkler Partners
February 2011
What is Community-Supported Agriculture?
Community-Supported Agriculture had its beginnings in the 1960s in Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Since then, it has spread to many other parts of the world. Jan VanderTuin coined the term community-supported agriculture in 1984 when he brought the idea from Europe to North America. CSA farms are generally small in scale and practice sustainable farming using organic methods. CSA has taken root in the United States over the years. Currently there is an estimate of about 2000 CSAs in the US alone. As more and more people seek healthy organic produce that is good for the body and good for the land, this number is expected continue to grow.
Sharing the Risk.
The basic idea of Community-Supported Agriculture is simple enough—the farmer provides the food and consumers in turn agree to support the farm. However, at the core of any CSA is the notion that farmers and consumers are partners engaged in an arrangement that goes beyond the usual commercial transaction. In a CSA, a community of consumers invested in the success of a farm come together to support the farm by pledging not only to purchase products of the farm over the long-term but also to help bear the inherent risk of farming itself. They do this by purchasing a “share” in a farm and in return the farmer provides vegetables (though some CSA offer meat and other farm products) on a weekly basis. Typically in the United States, the farmer collects the payment for the entire growing season prior to the start of the season and agrees to provide food for a set number of weeks.
By paying ahead, CSA members enable the farmer to focus on farming rather than worry about marketing and to purchase necessary materials and equipment in order to do the work. In return, members of the CSA get ultra-fresh organically grown produce often harvested on the same day that it is delivered. Everyone shares in the bounty of the farm and everyone suffers when crops fail.
Some farms in the US offer a sliding scale fee structure—those who are able to pay more, do so in order that those who can’t afford the regular membership can still have access to fresh organic produce.
Shareholders’ Involvement in the Farm.
CSA members are encouraged to become familiar with the farm in one way or another. Some simply visit the farm on special occasions. Others help in the administration of the CSA through a core group of volunteers. The group may deal with anything from budgeting to distribution and anything in between. Some farms offer food in exchange for work. Through hands-on involvement, members feel personally connected to the farm and the farmers who grow their food. At the same time, farmers get to know the people who eat the food they grow.
Eating Locally.
Generally, a CSA serves the community nearby. CSA members have access to ultra-fresh locally grown food that hasn’t traveled many hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Selling directly to the consumer means farmers keep more of the profit as they cut out the middleman.
By being a member of a CSA, consumers say “No” to large-scale, single-crop agriculture that destroys small farms and the land alike. CSAs give us the opportunity to put community action into our daily lives. By the very act of eating locally grown, organic produce, we improve not only our own health but also the health of our community, and the land on which we live.
Variations on the Theme.
Variations on the basic CSA model are abundant and are specific to the needs of members and farmers. Here are two examples in Taiwan. 青松米 is a CSA that collects money for shares of rice up front. Shares in rice are distributed when rice is harvested. Organized a little differently, the Fushan CSA 烏來福山農莊 charges an annual CSA membership fee of NT$6000 and vegetables are paid for separately. The purpose of the membership fee is to help the farm weather major crop loss (due to natural disaster or pest infestation), upgrade equipment, and purchase seedlings. Vegetables are paid either by the week or in a lump sum as a credit. Amounts are deducted as vegetables are delivered.
Description of the Winkler Partners/Hui-Yao Wu-du CSA
Winkler Partners and an environmental group supported by the firm, Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association Taiwan, entered into a CSA-like relationship with Ahui’s organic/no-poison farm in Tucheng in 2009. Wild has been working with farmers in Ah-hui’s community since 2006 to help keep the area free from intensive housing and commercial development. Part of this work has involved introducing the farmers to advanced composting techniques developed by Pierre Loisel and helping with marketing and other aspects of Ah-hui’s business. Based on the spirit of the typical CSA, colleagues at WP support Ahui’s farm by buying his vegetables.
Payment and Delivery Structure.
The firm pays an advance amount quarterly and vegetables are delivered to WP weekly. Members have their CSA payments deducted at the end of each month.
Security and Administrative Fund.
About ten percent of the membership is put into a Security and Administrative Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help pay for necessary farm equipment upgrade and material; help the farm weather losses due to natural causes; promote farm and CSA by bringing visitors or through lectures and other events; help pay CSA administrative expenses; and in general provide additional financial security for the farm.
Core Group.
A small group of individuals interested in the CSA makes up a core group. The core group holds weekly meetings to discuss any and all issue concerning the CSA, and makes decisions on how the Security/Administration Fund is spent. The meeting is open to all members of the CSA and any interested parties. CSA members and WP and Wild at Heart employees are notified of meetings. Meeting notes are sent to CSA members by email and filed online. They are available by request. Future plans include helping to expand the member base, finding additional farmers/suppliers and working with other small enterprises to introduce CSA or ESA – enterprise supported agriculture.
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