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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?

Farm Bill 2023 and Climate-Friendly Farming Letter Writing Campaign and Info Session

September 22 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Swing by the UMass Student Farmer's Market to learn about the most recent Farm Bill updates and the policies that would further support climate-friendly farming practices locally and nationally. We'll... more
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Nuestros Finqueros Training Enterprises: Perennial Crops

September 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Nuestras Raíces invites commercial producers, beginner farmers, gardeners, veterans, youth, and other interested community members to join our free farmer training program! In our September workshop, we will learn about... more
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Wheel-View Farm Open House

September 23 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Join us at Wheel-View Farm for an open house and barbecue meal on the farm! The event will celebrate Wheel-View and their recent honor, becoming recipient of the 2022 Leopold... more
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Native Plant Sale with Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District

September 23 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Welcome to our first ever Native Plant Sale! Location: Hadley Public Library, 50 Middle Street, Hadley 01035 Pickup Time: September 23, 10am-12pm Inside, you will find flowering perennials, beautiful grasses,... more
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Avoid Compaction: Plant Garlic Into Your Cover Crop!

September 24 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Register here! Are you looking to optimize your on-farm cover cropping systems and identify opportunities to decrease the compaction of your soil?  Planting garlic or a variety of other foods into... more
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Basics of Starting Your Business

September 28 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
This free presentation will help entrepreneurs start a business plan and provide structure to starting and managing their venture. Topics will include: Introduction and need for planning Basic business plan... more
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Soil Health Field Walk at Atlas Farm: Tillage-Reduced Cover Cropping and Planting Methods for Brassicas

September 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Join Gideon Porth of Atlas Farm and Julie Fine of American Farmland Trust for a field walk exploring innovative approaches to tillage reduction on organic farms. Gideon will showcase the... more
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Labor-Movement Workshop at Old Friends Farm

September 28 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Safe Labor Movement Workshop covers better body mechanics and movement patterns in order to decrease injury potential, increase efficiency and extend career longevity. Time will be spent practicing four... more
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Employment Law Basics

September 28 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Farm employment law feels intimidating but with just a few key rules and operating principles, the farm or ranch business can navigate this potential minefield with confidence. This webinar will... more
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Farmers Circle with The Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative

September 30, 2023 - August 28, 2024
Farmer Circles are peer learning communities for farmers interested in discussing a certain topic in an informal, supportive environment. Each circle meets for at least 12 hours over the course... more
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New Entry's Farm Business Planning Course

October 3 - November 21
In this course, you will learn how to: Create a mission and vision for your business Develop a budget and a plan to fund your business Create a marketing plan... more
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Adding Value to Your Product Line

October 5 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Join us as we welcome the return of popular guest speaker, Laura Jensen a.k.a. The Pig Nerd. As a fellow farmer, Laura will share her expertise from her 6+ years of... more
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Get the Latest News From CISA

Valley Bounty: Pine Hill Orchards

It’s apple season and owner-operators Matt and Brady Shearer of Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain are gearing up for a vibrant fall. Like many farms in our three counties, the ... more
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Valley Bounty: Masa Mexicano

The abundance of August produce is a chef’s dream, especially in the Valley, where we are surrounded by hundreds of local farms. Soon after chef Roberto Saravia of Masa Mexicano explains ... more
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Valley Bounty: Crimson and Clover Farm

"Having resilient farms – farms that are financially solvent and can deal with stresses like droughts and flooding – isn't just about infrastructure,” says Nate Frigard, farmer and owner of ... more
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NEPM: Many Graces Farm & Design

What a great show this week!  👉🏼 LISTEN HERE 👈🏼 starting at 13:40 Rebecca Maillet and Kel Komenda of Many Graces Flowers and Design in Hadley talk to Phil and ... more
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NEPM: Atlas Farm Mobile Market

Meghan Williams and Rachel Labrie of Atlas Farm‘s Mobile Market, as well as Justine Saabs from Holyoke Housing Authority (HHA), give Kaliis, Monte, and Jacob a tour of one of ... more
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Valley Bounty: Red Gate Farm Education Center

Moments of real consequence are common on farms, and they have much to teach about how the world works and how we choose to show up for others and ourselves. ... more
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NEPM: Bardwell Farm

  Harrison Bardwell talks with Phil, Monte, and Kaliis about wins and losses this weird year for farming, including: “Nearly everything you can get at the grocery store you can ... more
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Valley Bounty: Intervale Farm

Last week western Massachusetts endured both hellish heat and high water. Luckily, Intervale Farm in Westhampton escaped the worst it. Their vegetables and cut flowers, which supply most of their income, ... more
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NEPM: Calabrese Farm

Joe Calabrese of Calabrese Farms in Southwick talks with Phil, Monte, and Kaliis about:  What’s in season: CORN 🌽 tomatoes, summer squash, and many more of you summer favorites.  Adapting ... more
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Valley Bounty: Amherst Mobile Market

In places where fresh food is expensive or hard to get to, mobile farmers markets are one way to break down barriers. For people without reliable transportation, mobile markets bring ... 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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