1972–1982

Farmers’ markets launched in Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, and Holyoke; Springfield wholesale market opens to the general public.

1993

Pioneer Valley Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (PVASA), precursor to CISA, begins regular meetings.

1994

Six PVASA partner organizations—Earth Arts Institute, Hampshire College, the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, New England Small Farm Institute, Nuestras Raíces, and University of Massachusetts—receive a Kellogg Foundation grant to form CISA.

1996

CISA launches the FarmNet Information and Referral hotline—the start of our technical assistance program. CISA photo

1998

Members of CISA’s Dairy Action Group launch Our Family Farms milk marketing cooperative. Warren Facey of Bree-Z-Knoll Farm, Leyden   CISA photo

1999

Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown® campaign is launched with farm and retail members at Nourse Farms in Whately.

2000

Restaurants are added to CISA’s Local Hero campaign.

2001

Communities around the country replicate CISA’s local promotion efforts, many with help from CISA staff and a printed toolkit.

2004

Senior FarmShare program launches! CISA pays farms to grow produce for low-income seniors in Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire County. In 2018, we will provide 420 shares. Holyoke Senior Center participants visit Riverland Farm, Sunderland   CISA photo

2005

CISA starts the Women in Agriculture network, providing training and networking opportunities specifically to women. From 2010 to 2015, we offered a statewide whole farm planning course to women. Women in Ag retreat   CISA photo

2006

CISA fosters connections between farms and large employers by opening the Local Hero program to colleges, hospitals, and other institutions, helping them source from local farms, and supporting workplace CSA distributions and farmers’ markets.

2008

Winter Fare, the first winter farmers’ market in Massachusetts, is launched in Greenfield. It was a one-day market—in 2018 there are five winter farmers’ markets, most open every week! Greenfield Winter Fare 2009   Jason Threlfall photo

2009

CISA staffs Pioneer Valley Grows, a collaborative network dedicated to enhancing the ecological and economic sustainability of our food system. Today we’re still actively involved in PVGrows! In 2018, the network offers a discussion series on racial equity in the food system, and a one-day forum focused on immigration and the food system, land access for urban and rural farmers, and civic engagement to support food access.

2010

CISA, with other organizations, helps get the Massachusetts Food Policy Council created. The FPC brings together governmental and non-governmental reps to support farming and encourage programs that bring healthy foods to everyone in the state.

CISA brings Winter Fare to Northampton—2,000 people attend the one-day market featuring locally grown food. Northampton Winter Fare 2010   Rachel Chandler-Worth photo

2011

We fundraised for and launched the Emergency Farm Fund after flooding from Hurricane Irene severely damaged area farms. We offer 0% interest loans to farms affected by severe weather. Natural Roots flooding from Hurricane Irene   CISA photo

2012

Hampden County is selected by the USDA for the Healthy Incentives pilot, which gave a financial incentive to SNAP customers when they bought fruits and vegetables. The Pilot laid the groundwork for the statewide Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), launched in 2017. Forest Park Farmers’ Market, Springfield   CISA photo

2014

CISA is a partner on the PVGrows Investment Fund, administered by the Franklin County CDC. The fund builds on an earlier pilot, offering financing to food and farm businesses, but adds the option for community members to invest in local food businesses.

2015

The Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan was launched—CISA provided valuable insight to help inform the final plan.

CISA and Berkshire Grown farm members are all eligible for a new $2,500 infrastructure award through the Grinspoon Farmer Awards. To date 130 awards have been given!

2016

CISA’s Local Food for All campaign raises $100,000 to match SNAP at farmers’ markets across the Valley and increase the number of Senior FarmShares we can offer.

The Emergency Farm Fund is opened again to help farms impacted by stone fruit crop loss and drought.

CISA receives a federal grant that allows local farm advocacy groups across the state to support beginning farmers.

2017

CISA deepens technical assistance support and has a staff member trained in whole farm planning.

HIP launches, providing an instant rebate to SNAP recipients buying fruits and vegetables from Massachusetts farms, and CISA provides critical support to help farmers’ market vendors, CSA farms, and farm stands participate. Farmers see increased sales and new customers—a huge success—followed by a statewide effort to ensure ongoing funding for the program. Workshop and networking event at the Northampton Brewery   Elizabeth Solaka photo

2018

CISA celebrates 25 years of strengthening farms and communities with a renewed commitment to our vision of a resilient local food economy in which farms are viable, working conditions are fair and just, the environment is respected, and locally grown food is available to all.