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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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Whats Happening?

The Benefits and Pitfalls of Borrowed Land - Resource Sharing and Leasing Land for your Farm

September 9 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Molly Comstock, formerly of Colfax Farm, and now the new steward of Many Forks Farm, has leased land four different times and locations during her farming career. We will tour... more
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Diemand Farm Tour

September 12 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Join us on Thursday, September 12th for a tour of Diemand Farm! Learn how the family tends to their animals and processes their chickens and birds on-site. Along... more
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Food preservation

September 14 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Register here! We preserve hundreds of pounds of food each year enough to fill 7 freezers, 400 mason jars, a root cellar, and cupboards with dried foods. Join us at... more
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Season Celebration

September 14 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Enjoy an autumn day in the Hilltowns! Join Pause & Pivot Farm and Oliver’s Farmstand this September 14th to celebrate the season at an event featuring farmers, producers, and artisans... more
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Planning and Adapting for Heat and Other Climate Impacts at Farmers’ Markets

September 16 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Register here! This webinar will target farmers’ market managers and vendors and will provide examples of practices that will help reduce the impacts of extreme heat and climate change on... more
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Climate Week Film Screening: Common Ground

September 16 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kick off CISA’s Climate Week with a film screening of Common Ground, a fascinating documentary that dives into the dynamics of modern agriculture and the importance of healthy soils for... more
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Maximizing MDAR Funding Opportunities and Navigating Climate Conditions -  A Tour at the Food Bank Farm 

September 17 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Register here!  At this event you will learn about MDAR's new succession planning opportunity, MDAR grants and the MDAR APR Program. We will tour the Food Bank Farm and hear... more
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Farming in a Changing Climate with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

September 18 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register here! Join us for our 2nd annual climate event to hear insights and lessons from our local farmers and regional experts. Optional farm tour of April Hill starts at... more
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Dining for a Cooler Planet: Showcasing Local Farmers and Climate Resilience

September 18 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
UMass Dining will host a special event at Hampshire Dining Commons featuring a panel discussion on Local Agriculture and Climate Action, a cooking demonstration by our Executive Chef Bob Bankert... more
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Climate-Smart Farming and Marketing Program Informational Webinar

September 18 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Register here! Join one of the three upcoming webinars that provide an overview of the Climate-Smart Farming & Marketing Program, led by Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. Northeast regional project partners from Community... more
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Working to Build Climate Change Resiliency at the Hampshire College Farm : A Farm Tour

September 19 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register here!  Come tour the Hampshire College Farm! We are a small, diversified vegetable and livestock farm right on the Hampshire College Campus and we are trialing ways to build... more
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“Kiss the Ground” Showing with CISA and Miller Worley Center for the Environment

September 19 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join Mount Holyoke College’s Miller Worley Center and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture to celebrate their Climate Change and Farming Week for a showing of “Kiss the Ground” followed by... more
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Get the Latest News From CISA

Valley Bounty: Sunset Farm

August 24, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Sunset Farm Grows Vegetables, Flowers, and Community Sunset Farm in Amherst is a neighborhood farm that emphasizes the social aspects of farming in community. Owners Connie and Bill Gillen grow ... more
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Valley Bounty: Oliver's Farm Stand

August 16, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
For people near Goshen, Oliver’s Farm Stand is bringing more local food within close reach. As they do, they’re bringing their neighbors closer together too. “We carry almost 100% local ... more
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Valley Bounty: Fitzwilly's Restaurant

August 10, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room
Fitzwilly’s Serves Local Ingredients with a Side of Northampton History Fitzwilly’s Restaurant offers seasonal, local food in an iconic downtown Northampton location. As summer explodes with local crops on the ... more
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Valley Bounty: Dancing Bear Farm Figs

August 2, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Published August 3, 2024 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Greenfield Recorder Fresh Figs? In Massachusetts? Leyden Farm unlocks new flavors and farming possibilities By Jacob Nelson It’s rare to ... more
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NEPM: Alina's Ristorante

August 1, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
_ Maritza Amaya-Branche and chef Martin Amaya, who own Alina’s Ristorante in Hadley, chat with Jacob, Kaliis, and Monte about their long history of running this beloved restaurant and longer ... more
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Valley Bounty: Williamsburg Market

July 24, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Williamsburg Market is a small, independent, full-service grocery store in Williamsburg...It’s not too big, overwhelming shoppers with dozens of long aisles and thousands of choices. It’s also not too small, ... more
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Valley Bounty: Clarkdale Peaches

July 20, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Press Room, Peaches
Peaches Return this Summer After much anticipation, peaches are ripe and now available on farm stands and at farmers’ markets in the Valley. Ben Clark, fourth generation farmer and owner/operator ... more
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NEPM: Yellow Stonehouse Farm

July 17, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
_ Owners Connie Adams and John Keilch tell Phil, Monte, and Kaliis all about Yellow Stonehouse Farm in Westfield. Did you know: They’re the only certified organic produce farm in ... more
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Valley Bounty: J & J Farms

July 12, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, CISA's Valley Bounty Column, Local Heroes in the News, Press Room
Published July 12, 2024 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette Rising from the Ashes One year after a tragic fire, Amherst farm enters new chapter with community backing By Jacob Nelson ... more
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NEPM: E. Cecchi Farms

July 11, 2024    Posted in: CISA News, Local Heroes in the News, NEPM "Fabulous 413" interviews, Press Room
🍅 Kaliis, Monte, and Phil visit with Bob Cecchi of E. Cecchi Farms in Agawam’s Feeding Hills. Hear all about: Their large farm store, where you can buy all kinds ... 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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