CISA's 2018 Annual Report is live!

Goat Nook Farm, Cummington
Scott Streble photo
Check out our new Annual Report to learn about the impact of CISA's work in 2018, our 25th anniversary year! The report includes profiles of farmers who benefited from CISA's direct business support and Emergency Farm Fund, an advocacy report, and a lot more.

Tell your story at Field Notes!
Isis Feliciano at Field Notes 2018
Jason Threlfall photo

Do you have a story about local food and farming that you would love to share? Whether you're a farmer, chef, waiter, gardener, food activist, passionate home cook, or anyone else with a local food or farm story, we want to hear it! Pitch us your story, and you could be selected to tell it on stage in November at Field Notes, CISA's storytelling event. 

What's in season?

Brookfield Farm, Amherst 
Elizabeth Solaka photo
This is the time to get your farm share!
If supporting local farms is important to you, purchasing a CSA share is an excellent way to put your food dollars directly toward a farm's bottom line. Read more about farm shares and hear some farmers' perspectives in our most recent column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Farmers' markets begin to open this month!
The earliest spring markets will open up in April -- check out CISA's searchable online guide for dates and details! 
Find your market here!
HIP Action Alert: call your state rep today!

The House Ways and Means budget was released Wednesday with $4 million for HIP. Representatives State Representative Hannah Kane and State Rep. Daniel Donahue are submitting an amendment to increase the amount for HIP to $8.5 million in FY20! 
Welcome, new board members!
 
Elizabeth Solaka photos
We're thrilled to welcome three new members to CISA's board of directors: Steve Kulik, former state rep for the 1st Franklin District; Sasha Palmer, school nutrition director at Amherst-Pelham Regional School District; and Caroline Pam, co-owner of Kitchen Garden Farm.
Ag Day and CISA's legislative priorities
 
Ag Day 2018
In March, CISA staff joined farmers and advocates from around the state to visit the State House to talk with legislators about the needs of the farming community.


PS: Want to make sure you get policy updates and action alerts from CISA? Click the "Update Profile" link in the footer of this email!
Local Hero profile: The Bement School
 
The Bement School
"My first clue that The Bement School dining hall was unique was the aroma of roasting meat and vegetables that smelled more like Sunday dinner at Grandma's than typical dining hall fare ..."
Join us next week for CISA's 5% Day at Whole Foods Market

On Thursday, April 18th, CISA will be the beneficiary of a community giving day at Whole Foods Market in Hadley: 5% of net sales for the day will go to support CISA's Senior FarmShare program, which provides low-income seniors with a share of the local harvest!
Film screening: The Biggest Little Farm

Tuesday, April 23, 7pm
CISA is partnering with Amherst Cinema for a screening of The Biggest Little Farm, followed by a panel discussion featuring CISA's Margaret Christie, Missy Bahret of Old Friends Farm, and Harrison Bardwell of Bardwell Farm. The film chronicles the experiences of first-time farmers over 8 years. 
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