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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?

Making Food Fun!

August 18 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) in a summer celebration of local food, local farms, and local families at our Making Food Fun event on Thursday, August 18th, from... more
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2022 International Workshop on Agritourism conference

August 30 @ 8:00 am - September 1 @ 5:00 pm
Registration for the 2022 International Workshop on Agritourism conference in Burlington, Vermont, on August 31-September 1, 2022 is now open. Please forward, post or share the following calendar announcement widely. INTERNATIONAL... more
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Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course

October 5 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course October 5 to November 2, 2022, Wednesday evenings 6:00pm – 9:00pm Western Mass location (tentatively MDAR office in West Springfield) This 5-session course provides... more
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Growing Your Farm Business Planning Course

October 11 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Growing Your Farm Business Planning Course October 11 – November 29, 2022, Tuesday evenings 5:30 – 8:30pm MDAR office in Southborough, MA A hands-on course to help established farmers develop... more
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Get the Latest News From CISA

Valley Bounty: Brook Farm Orchard

August 12, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
“These apples have soul,” claims Alan Suprenant, owner of Brook Farm Orchard. Rooted, appropriately, on Apple Valley Road in Ashfield, the orchard grows nearly 60 varieties of apples, peaches, pears, ... more
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WRSI: Deanna Cook & Cooking with Kids

August 8, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
“I’ve noticed kids are much more inclined to try something if they’ve made it themselves,” says cook book author Deanna Cook, “and they’re proud of what they made (and so ... more
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Valley Bounty: Bub's Bar-B-Q

August 6, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Fingers sticky with barbecue sauce. Belly full. Smoky, spicy flavors lingering on your tongue as you lean back and sigh, the light fading on the fields around you. It’s a ... more
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Valley Bounty: Falls Farm LLC

July 30, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Published July 30, 2022 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette By Lisa Goodrich Farming is not for the faint of heart, so who better to cultivate 125 acres into organic farmland ... more
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WRSI: Chicopee Farmers' Market/Valley Opportunity Council

July 29, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Great local food, friends, and community support. 🌽 🙂 The Chicopee Farmers’ Market is just one of many programs run by the Valley Opportunity Council, and a way to connect ... more
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WRSI: Gooseberry Farms

July 25, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
This week, Jackie Lapinski of Gooseberry Farms, joins Phil and Monte for a chat about the last Centennial Farm in West Springfield. The farm celebrates 101 years in operation this ... more
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Valley Bounty: Old Creamery Co-op

July 22, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
What does the Old Creamery Co-op in Cummington have in common with Preservation Hall, a celebrated jazz venue in New Orleans? More than you might think.
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WRSI: Golonka Farm

July 18, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, WRSI's "Local Hero Spotlight" interviews, Press Room
Jim and Jan Golonka of Golonka Farm and Farm Stand in Whately join Phil and Monte to talk about: Corn is in! What's the best way to eat it? Listen ... more
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Valley Bounty: Dave's Natural Garden

July 15, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Published July 16th 2022 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette By Jacob Nelson Meghan Hastings has a secret to share about sweet corn. “The variety really doesn’t matter,” she says. “What makes corn ... more
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Valley Bounty: Nourse Farms

July 8, 2022    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
"Berry season is a wild ride,” says Rachel Monette, a longtime employee of Nourse Farms in Whately. Every summer it hits with intensity, like a sweet red raspberry bursting on ... 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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