The My Hero Project - Robyn Van En

Celebrate the best of humanity.

With access to a farm, many are dazzled by the bounty and wonders of nature. I love to see grown people awed by the delicate beauty of a carrot seedling.

BUSINESS HERO:

ROBYN VAN EN

Robyn Van En was one of the founders of Community Supported Agriculture, an organization created to give farmers the resources that would help them have more control over their businesses.

Because organic farming costs more, it is difficult for a farmer to use organic methods without going bankrupt. The purpose of CSA is to provide support to organic farmers by promoting patronage of member farms within their own community. CSA farms work with food-buyers in their areas by delivering "subscription" produce baskets, setting up small stands where people can buy freshly-harvested vegetables and fruits, and by offering tours.

Van En, who owned the small Indian Line Farm in Massachusetts, hosted CSA's first venture, a small apple orchard on her land. She assisted in the creation of over 200 other CSA farms in other states, and travelled around the country speaking and educating people about the benefits of buying fresh, local, organic produce from CSA member farms.

Robyn Van En died unexpectedly in January, 1997. The Robyn Van En Center for CSA Resources continues her work.

Photos courtesy of Community Supported Agriculture Website
Images created by Clemens Kalischer

Last changed on: 7/21/2002 7:01:28 PM

The Community Supported Agriculture Web site

Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Women around the world are in the business of farming. Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations

The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Web site

More Featured Heroes

More Featured Business Heroes


Alice Waters created the world famous Edible Schoolyard Project.	Andrew Carnegie let his heart and not his wealth guide him through life.	Anita Roddick is an activist for social and environmental change.	Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, inventor, visionary, statesman and philosopher.	Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes to bring shoes to children who don't have them.	Caine Monroy created a cardboard arcade in his father's shop.

Charles Francis Feeney is a generous businessman who founded the Atlantic Philanthropies.	Danny Thomas is the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.	Dolores Olmedo Patino was a Mexican businesswoman, philanthropist, and art collector.	George Lucas is both an artist and a business hero.	Henry Buhl started Project Comeback to help recovering homeless people find work.	Henry Ford introduced the world to a new era in personal transportation.

Hiroshi Yamauchi was the inventor of Nintendo 64, the Gamecube, and Pokeman.	Irwin kept a dream and family bagel business alive	Jack Odell was an English engineer who invented the Matchbox car for his daughter.	James Rouse initiated the Enterprise Foundation to provide housing for low-income families.	Jerry Yang co-founded Yahoo! Inc.	John Tu founder of Kingston Technology is also a musician and a supporter of the Freedom Writers.

Leonard Abess is known for his generosity to others and commitment to caring for the environment.	Madam C.J. Walker used her business success to fight discrimination and open doors for others.	Magic Johnson inspires others with his basketball talents and philanthropic work.	Marcus Samuelsson is an Ethiopian-born, Swedish-raised chef and restaurant owner who focuses on the food needs of the world.	Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity.	Milton S. Hershey made a fortune through his love of chocolate.

Muhammad Yunus started a bank for poor people in Bangladesh.	Nicholas Negroponte created a low-cost laptop for children in the developing world.	Nirvan Mullick is a filmmaker who spotted 'the perfect moment' when he filmed Caine's Arcade.	Oprah Winfrey was honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity .	Paul Newman through his comestibles, earns millions of dollars for charity.	Pleasant T. Rowland created the American Girls Collection.

Ray Anderson is a pioneer of environmental technologies.	Robyn Van En worked to save organic farming businesses in North America.	Sally Fox produced a cotton that naturally comes in different colors.	Simon Velez is a prize winning architect who uses sustainable materials.	Soichiro Honda was a successful inventor and businessman who built the Honda Motor Company.	Unreasonable At Sea radical experiment in global entrepreneurship to solve the greatest challenges of our time.

Walt Disney was both a visionary artist and an entrepreneur.	Walt Disney was both a visionary artist and an entrepreneur.	William Henry Gates III co-founder of Microsoft, is devoted to humanitarian causes around the world.