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We love Thanksgiving at CISA. People all over the country sit down to enjoy a meal highlighting the New England harvest, and those of us who live in New England, surrounded by farms, can really do it right!

Look here for farms and retailers selling turkeys, and check out our online directory to find local potatoes for mashing, apples for pie-ing, and anything else you need for your feast.

For cooking inspiration, check out the recipes on our website, including a special Thanksgiving section.

Have a happy holiday!
 
The CISA staff
CISA NEWS
Join us this Sunday for the Clarkdale Cider Run!
This Sunday, we'll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Clarkdale Fruit Farms with a 12K road race to support CISA. The race will be on a beautiful loop course on Upper & Lower Roads in Deerfield & Greenfield. Online enrollment closes Friday at 5pm, and we will be accepting racers that morning too. Sign up now, and help us spread the word on Facebook!

Winter workshops for farmers: Reducing Risk and Increasing Profitability with Sound Decision Making Each winter, we offer a series of workshops designed to help farmers and small business owners strengthen their business practices. This winter's series focuses on financial planning and skill-building. Find the full schedule and details about each class here

Support CISA through monthly giving
We rely on the support of you, our neighbors, to continue to be able to work on meeting our mission. Your generosity, no matter how big or small, is important! We now offer a monthly giving option, providing you with an easy way to show your commitment to supporting local agriculture. You can help us close out the year in a great financial position to begin 2016 by making your gift before the end of our fiscal year on December 31, 2015. Click here to give. Thank you!

Community Member discount at Atkins Farms - Your Local Market
Have you been to the new Atkins Farms - Your Local Market in North Amherst? Time to check them out! CISA Community Members receive 10% off produce from November 19th through December 31st. Just show your card at the register!

WHAT'S IN SEASON
Thanksgiving! Look for your turkey here, and find everything else you need here.

Summer markets are wrapping up for the year, and winter farmers' markets are opening their doors and offering an amazing range of local food and goodies straight through the coldest months. And now you can be rewarded for being a regular customer at the Springfield Farmers' Market at Forest Park, the Greenfield Winter Farmers' Marker, or the Northampton Winter Farmers' Market through their new customer loyalty programs! Stop by the market manager tables to learn more. Find market details, including start and ends dates, here.

If you're planning to purchase a Christmas tree, wreaths, or any other holiday decorations, look no further! Many local farms and businesses offer locally and sustainably grown trees and greenery, and we've got a list right here. And it might feel early, but we've posted our ideas for local holiday gift-giving here.

It's also time to sign up for winter CSA shares AND to think about signing up for next summer's share! We've got updated info on farms offering all sorts of CSA shares here.

LOCAL HERO NEWS
Visit our press room for recent news stories, including an opinion piece from CISA on the cost of local food, a visit to Mass Appeal with Riverland Farm to talk about winter CSAs, and much more!

You can also listen to our weekly radio interview series on WRSI with Local Hero businesses. Featured this month: Just Roots/Greenfield Community Farm, New England Felting Supply, Representative Kulik talking about the MA Food System Plan, Roaming Farm, and Lukasik Family Farm.
Profile: Coward Farms
According to Teresa Coward of Coward Farms in Southwick, the key to success in farming is diversification. From Christmas trees and wreaths to pumpkins, mums, and seasonal gifts, she and her husband John have turned their 50+ acres into a multi-season family destination. Read all about them here!
Profile: Sweet Morning Farm
From gardening hobby to honest-to-goodness farm, Laura Timmerman and her son Robin have seen Sweet Morning Farm in Leyden come a long way. "Growing our own food all feels so completely normal to me," says Laura. Robin chimes in, "It's important economically. Small farms help a lot of people and enhance our community in so many ways." Read all about them here!
GENERAL NEWS
PVGrows Investment Fund launches
The PVGrows Investment Fund, Inc. is excited to launch the creation of an investment opportunity for individuals, institutions and foundations to invest in building a healthier food system. It is a project of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) which grew from the work of the PVGrows Network. Learn more here.

New local cookbook release: Cooking with Garlic
There's a new cookbook that gathers the best recipes shared over the years at the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival. Cooking with Garlic: A Decade of Original Recipes from the Chef Demonstrations highlights local chefs and makes a great gift! Find it online or in selected local shops.

MA Food System Plan draft now available
The Massachusetts Food System Plan presents goals, recommendations, and actions for our state's food system that have been developed through an extensive public process directed by the Massachusetts Food Policy Council. A draft version of the plan has been released. Find it, and more details about the process, here.

UPCOMING EVENTS
CISA's events page is constantly updated with farm tours, field days, festivals, and more! Here's one upcoming highlight:

Gardening the Community's Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, November 14, 10am-12pm
Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave, Springfield
Gardening the Community is a youth-led food justice organization engaged in urban agriculture, sustainable living, and organizing for healthy and equitable communities. Join them on Saturday for good eats, good company, and to learn more about the important work they do. More details and online tickets available here.


Do you value the news you get from CISA? Join 1,100 others in supporting CISA's work. We've been strengthening farms and engaging the community to build the local food economy since 1993!

 

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