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Join us for Field Notes: An Afternoon of Storytelling
Sunday, November 18, 2pm
Academy of Music, Northampton
Get your tickets now for CISA's first-ever storytelling event! Farmers, chefs, and neighbors from throughout the Pioneer Valley will take to the stage to share their real-life stories. Expect everything from the tragic to the hilarious as we journey through the fields and kitchens of the Pioneer Valley. Join us and discover how local food has shaped the lives of the Pioneer Valley community in ways big and small.
Find the list of storytellers and get tickets!
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CISA's Emergency Farm Fund is Open
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Photo by Scott Streble
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CISA's Emergency Farm Fund offers zero-interest loans to assist farmers and farm businesses struggling to meet their immediate needs in the aftermath of extreme weather events. The Fund is open for applications from Pioneer Valley farms that have been affected by extreme weather events during the 2018 growing season, including the excessive rainfall in July and August. If your farm suffered damage this season, you are eligible to apply for a zero-interest loan of $5,000 to $10,000. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2018.Please call the CISA office at 413-665-7100 with additional questions.
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Farm Bill Update
Even though most of us are focused on the upcoming election, congressional staff are still hard at work negotiating a new Farm Bill and they need to hear from you! Tell your Senators and Congressman that farmers and communities need a new Farm Bill that invests in a sustainable future, protects our natural resources, target support to family farmers, and ensure food access for people in need.
Listen to our recent conversation on WRSI with Nathan L'Etoile of American Farmland Trust to learn about the consequences of the currently-lapsed Farm Bill. |
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Local Hero profile: Northfield Mount Hermon Farm
"The primary thing we're trying to cultivate here is not vegetables or livestock or cider, it's the community's connection with the land and with the farm," says Jake Morrow, farm manager at Northfield Mount Hermon Farm. "The goal is for students to see the whole process - from seedling in the greenhouse... to taking it in to the dining hall."
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Limited-edition CISA t-shirts
Now available: a brand new, very cool, very limited edition CISA t-shirt designed by local artist Maggie Nowinski. This is the second in a seasonal series we're releasing in honor of CISA's 25th anniversary. Don't miss out!
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Pickles, Salsa, Sriracha, and Local Farms
Farmers aren't the only ones working hard this time of year; specialty food producers also work under intense seasonal pressure to make pickles, jam, salsa, and lots more foods using local ingredients. Kristin Barry of Appalachian Naturals says, " We will never let go of sourcing from local farms. I don't see any reason to work as hard as we do producing food if our business isn't making a positive impact on our region and community."
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What's in season?
Even as the days grow shorter, farmers are pulling in tons of crops: apples, squash, hardy greens, and so much more. This is a great time of year to visit an orchard or pumpkin patch, and farmers' markets and farm stands are still going strong!
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Feedback needed on HIP
If you have used HIP, will you take a few minutes to share your thoughts in CISA's HIP survey? Or, if you know someone else who has used HIP, please pass this along to them! All answers are anonymous, and we will only collect contact information if you want to share it.
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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 pageFarm tours, film screenings, workshops, special local meals -- there's always something happening in the Valley! Go to events listingJob opportunities, land, equipment. Go to classifieds |
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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.
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