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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 25 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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Whats Happening?

FY23 USDA Farm to School Grant Information Session

November 30 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Schools, farmers, and other organizations that help produce or serve meals to kids through USDA’s child nutrition programs have until Jan 6, 2023 to apply for a USDA Farm to School... more
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USDA Micro Farm Insurance Workshop

December 7 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
USDA’s new Micro Farm insurance offers whole farm insurance for farmers making up to $350,000 per year. Learn how this applies to your farm in a two-part virtual workshop on... more
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Love a Farmer Pancake Breakfast (Williamstown)

January 7, 2023 @ 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Our neighbors in Berkshire County invite you to a morning that recognizes our farming community with a complimentary pancake breakfast. Ioka Valley Farm 3475 Hancock Rd. Williamstown, MA 01267 Registration:... more
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Effectively Managing Diseases of Vegetables

January 18, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Best Practices for Plant Disease Management Strategy: General tips will be presented that form the foundation of both organic and conventional disease management. Recommendations based on research results will be... more
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Making Spreadsheets Work For Your Farm

February 7, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Crop Planning & Record Keeping For Direct Sale Vegetable Farmers How do you grow over 50 different crops for 500 shareholders who are coming to coming to your farm to... more
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Profitable Meat Marketing: Pricing for Increased Profit & Sales

March 7, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
You are raising and selling local meat, but are you making a profit? Learn marketing techniques and how to use the NEW Cornell Meat Pricing Tool to develop prices that... more
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Grazing School at Gould Farm: Best Practices for Pasture Management

April 13, 2023 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
In this all-day workshop we will discuss the basics of how set up a new grazing system, and how to troubleshoot and improve an existing one.  We start the day... more
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Get the Latest News From CISA

WRSI: Autumn Mist Farm

November 6, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
… Derrick Turnbull, farmer and owner of Autumn Mist Farm in Feeding Hills talks to Phil and Monte about: Their newly opened farm-to-table restaurant and retail store Selling local beef ... more
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Valley Bounty: Warm Colors Apiary

November 5, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Dan and Bonita Conlon began Warm Colors Apiary in South Deerfield around 2000, as Dan Conlon transitioned from a teaching career to full-time beekeeping. The couple strives for nonchemical beekeeping ... more
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WRSI: Bella Foodie and Making Food Fun

November 1, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Bella Foodie is "a personal chef and food educator making healthy food fun," for kids, families, and groups of all sizes. Ashley Tresoline, the woman behind Bella Foodie, talks with ... more
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Valley Bounty: Wheel-View Farm

October 27, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Wheel-View Farm in Shelburne is named in homage to the farmers, the Wheelers, and the farm’s enviable vantage point. As Autumn splashes flaming reds and oranges across the landscape, the ... more
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WRSI: Yes on Question 4

October 24, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Phil, Monte, and longtime farmer and business owner Michael Docter of Mi Tierra Tortillas talk about why the Work and Family Mobility Act — which can be upheld by voting YES ... more
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Valley Bounty: Pioneer Valley Food Tours

October 15, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Deborah Christakos founded Pioneer Valley Food Tours in 2017 by transforming her passion for fresh, local food into walking and bicycling food tours. Christakos shares her inspiration: “My husband and ... more
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WRSI: Artifact Cider

October 10, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Jake Mazar from Artifact Cider talks with Jacob and Monte about: Cider’s place as a traditional and modern embodiment of New England An apple’s travels from the trees at Pinehill ... more
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WRSI: Sentinel Farm

September 30, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Meg and Steve Lanphear of Sentinel Farm in Belchertown talk with Phil and Monte about: Why the Apple crop struggled this year, but peaches thrived. Pressing your own cider! (“A ... more
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Foxtrot Farm - Farming and Climate Change Special Feature

September 24, 2022    Posted in: Climate Change and Farming Blog, CISA News, Press Room
"What would happen if farmers adapted to climate change without relying so much on plastic and petroleum?” asks Abby Ferla. “One of our answers is, we'd probably grow different plants." ... more
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WRSI: North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival

September 23, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Deb Habib of Seeds of Solidarity Farm and Education Center – and one of the longtime community organizers behind the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival – talks with Phil ... more
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Featured Local Hero Profile

Be a Local Hero

Local Hero Profile: Wilder Hill Gardens

June 9, 2022    Posted in: Local Hero Profiles
Local Hero Profile by Ellery Pool, TerraCorps Service Member If you are looking for sustainably grown nursery plants, gorgeous cut... more
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