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Who is CISA?

Who is CISA?

Hear about what we do from local farmers and people we work with every day!

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Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy.

CISA has been working for over 30 years to build a stronger, more resilient, and more just local food system. We envision a local food system where farms are viable, working conditions are fair and just for owners and workers, the environment is respected, and locally grown food is available for all.

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What’s Happening

Caroling and Cocoa with Heart of the Valley chorus

December 21 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us as we serenade the animals at the farm with holiday caroling led by the Heart of the Valley Chorus! We’ll meet in front of the barn to enjoy... more
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Santa & Mrs. Claus visit Apex Orchards

December 22 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Say hello to Santa and Mrs.Claus on Sunday, December 22nd! They will be visiting Apex Orchards from 9:00 am to 10:30 am! We will have delicious Mini Cider Donuts, Hot... more
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Designing for Growth: Websites That Boost Farm Sales

January 7, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Register here! Join CISA and digital marketing expert, Michael Crigler, of Bueno Social for an in-person workshop exploring the graphic design thinking and guiding principles behind an effective farm website.... more
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Webinar: Grant writing for farmers

January 9, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Register here! This CISA webinar, led by Special Projects Director Margaret Christie, will provide up-to-date information on the different sources of grant funding available to farms, what kinds of expenses... more
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Women Farmers Aging Strong-monthly online series through May 2025

January 15, 2025 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
A Special Learning Circle Series for Collaborative Learning Jan 15 2025 | 12 - 1pm EST Feb 5 2025 | 12 - 1pm EST Mar 5 2025 | 12 - 1pm EST Nov 6 2024 | 12 - 1pm EST Apr 2 2025 | 12 - 1pm EDT Oct 2... more
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Creative social media marketing strategies

January 15, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register here! Join CISA for a panel and discussion where farmers will share pro tips on social media, moderated by Jen Smith, Local Hero Program Manager. Farmer guest speakers Leslie... more
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Building Better Work Teams

January 16, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Build Your Management & Communication Toolbox Dates: January 16, 23 & 30 Time: 10 am to 11:15 each day via Zoom Registration This 3-part workshop begins with the DiSC© Workplace... more
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How to talk about climate change with customers and other audiences

January 24, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Register here! In this half-day workshop, you'll connect with farmers and others in our local food system to learn and practice effectively communicating about climate change with customers and your... more
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Building a brand that inspires customer investment in your farm

January 29, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register here! Branding helps your customers understand who you are and what you do as soon as they see your logo and any of your printed or digital marketing assets.... more
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Southeast New England Agriculture Conference & Trade Show

February 2, 2025 @ 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Registration The second annual Southeast New England Agriculture Conference and Trade Show will take place on February 2nd at Bristol Aggie High School in Dighton! This collaborative effort brings together... more
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Get the Latest News From CISA

Valley Bounty: Black Birch Vineyard

December 13, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Published December 14, 2024 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette Hatfield Winery Has a Recipe for Holiday Cheer By Jacob Nelson In the right hands, wine has a way of bringing ... more
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NEPM: Mill River Slabworks

December 10, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
🪵 Jacob takes Monte and Kaliis to Mill River Slabworks in Westfield to check out some of the beautiful local wood and slabs they have. They talk to owner Gerry ... more
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Valley Bounty: Kingsbury Farms

December 6, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Somewhere between 25 and 30 million Christmas trees are bought every year in the U.S., according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Of the trees sold in Massachusetts, very few ... more
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Valley Bounty: Hillside Farm

November 22, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Inside, the year-old store still smells of fresh cut pine boards. Bright lights illuminate gleaming fridges and freezers packed with eggs, beef, pork, lamb, and even goat and rabbit. Most ... more
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NEPM: Cranston's Christmas Tree Farm

November 19, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
🎄 Claire takes Kaliis and Monte out to Cranston’s Christmas Tree Farm in Ashfield. They talk with farmer Seth Cranston about what tree farming is all about, why you might ... more
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Valley Bounty: Local Cheers of Southampton: Puza's Pure Food Market

November 16, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room, Cabbage
Upon walking in the door at Puza’s Pure Food Market, a commitment to fresh, local produce is on display. Visually, produce seems to fill a substantial portion of the store. ... more
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Valley Bounty: Coolidge Hill Farm

November 8, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Jared Duval built his farm around Massachusetts’ innovative Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Since 2017, HIP has helped tens of thousands of lower-income households buy fresh produce grown by local farmers. ... more
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NEPM: HIP and Tuesday Market

November 7, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, News Archive, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
Claire takes Monte and Kaliis to Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday Market, where market manager Helen Kahn and farmers Sarah and Ryan Voiland of Red Fire Farm and Tevis Robertson-Goldberg of ... more
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My Turn: Stop the cuts to HIP and keep our communities fed

November 7, 2024    Posted in: CISA Opinion Pieces, CISA News, Press Room
This winter, thousands of low-income Massachusetts families will have less food on their tables — unless we take action now. The state needs to allocate an additional $10 million to ... more
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Valley Bounty: Robariah Farms

November 1, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Published November 2, 2024 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette Bringing Kosher Back to Local with Robariah Farms By Jacob Nelson “When people say our chicken is the best they’ve ever ... more
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Featured Local Hero Profile

Be a Local Hero

Local Hero Profile: Bloom Woolen Yarns

October 18, 2023    Posted in: Specialty Producer Profiles, Local Hero Profiles
Local Hero Profile by Julia Mazzuchi, Local Hero Program Assistant  The buy local movement in the Valley not only encompasses... more
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