Winter farmers' markets are up and running!
Northampton Winter Farmers' Market
There's plenty of local food (and a lot more) available at the winter farmers' markets! A few notes:

Amherst Winter Farmers' Market is now running every Saturday from 10am-2pm in a new location: the Hampshire Mall in Hadley! Find the market in the hallway next to Target.

The brand-new City Soul Winter Market in Springfield will be held on the 2nd Saturday of every month from 11am-2pm in the Mason Square Library Community Room.

Northampton Winter Farmers' Market is also in a new location! Find them every Saturday from 10am-2pm at the Northampton Senior Center.

And don't forget about the Farmers' Market at Forest Park from 10am-2pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month in Springfield, and the Greenfield Winter Farmers' Market from 10am-1pm on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Discovery School at Four Corners.

WHEW! Get details about all the markets in CISA's searchable guide,
Make it a local holiday season
Paul Bunyan's Farm and Nursery, Chicopee
From gifts and decorations to festive meals and celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to choose local at this time of year! And we're here to help -- click here for info:
 
Please note: PVGrows Forum postponed
Will Szal photo
The PVGrows Forum is being postponed until later in the winter. We have a great planning committee and we want to make sure that together we have enough time to plan a forum that tackles challenging issues and showcases a range of projects. We're working to nail down a new date and will make an announcement when we do. Stay tuned to pvgrows.net for the most up-to-date information.

 
Earn HIP all winter long
HIP continues through the winter at winter farmers' markets and farm stands. Follow the new HIP in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties Facebook page for regular updates and resources -- and help us spread the word!  
Support CISA today!

Many Hands Farm Corps,
Leslie Lynn Lucio photo
Every dollar you spend on locally grown food supports your neighbors and keeps the local economy strong. You can also help CISA ensure that farms stay viable with a donation to CISA today! Our mission is to strengthen farms and we need your support to make that happen.
 
 Donate now.
Food as a source of joy

Florence Pie Bar, Leslie Lynn Lucio photo
The winter holidays are potent examples of the emotional and cultural weight that our meals can carry. Throughout the coming weeks, many of us will be sharing foods that tie us to our histories, that are uniquely linked to this season, and that connect us to each other.
 
Read more in CISA's monthly column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Local Hero Profile: Relish the Harvest

Photo by Relish the Harvest
Jessica Wisniewski, owner of Chicopee-based specialty producer Relish the Harvest, grew up eating sweet zucchini relish her mother made with the produce from their garden. Today, she uses the same recipes for her line of hot and sweet zucchini relishes, made with fresh, local produce harvested at the height of the season.
 
Read the full profile here.
CISA's Winter Workshop Series on Labor Management

Elizabeth Solaka photo
Addressing the issues of ethical management, staff retention, and effective communication and training tools, CISA's winter workshop series will help farmers build a productive, healthy, and just workplace that improves farm operations.

Details here.
Quick Links

Check out our press page for news stories about local farms and local agriculture, along with our weekly interview series on WRSI, monthly column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and more!
Go to press page

Farm tours, film screenings, workshops, special local meals -- there's always something happening in the Valley!
Go to events listing

Job opportunities, land, equipment.
Go to classifieds
STAY CONNECTED:
Love the news you get from CISA?

Orange

Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here!
Thanks to our sponsors:
Please do not take images or content to use on your own site or project without CISA's explicit permission. Please feel free to link to our newsletter. Archives can be found at buylocalfood.org.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
CISA, 1 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield, MA 01373