Barb Perkins left the city and her criminal justice degree to start farming with her husband, David, in 1994. The two of them pioneered Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in the Midwest. Here, she shares how she got into farming and became enamored of the CSA concept, and how they grew a successful CSA at a time without email, websites, or social media.

Barb Perkins and her husband, David, ran Vermont Valley Community Farm CSA from 1994 through 2018. The farm, near Madison, Wisconsin, was one of the first CSAs in the state and one of the largest. The farm engaged its members in many ways and became a vibrant community over the years. Barb is an advocate for CSA and an educator for CSA farmers and the community. Barb and David retired the CSA after 24 amazing seasons. Vermont Valley continues to grow and sell certified organic seed potatoes.