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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180430T173000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20180418T155622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180418T155811Z
UID:27209-1525100400-1525109400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm to School Sales: Are They Right for Your Business?
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA and MA Farm to School for School Food 101 introduction! Come learn what makes K-12 school meal programs distinct from other food service programs\, how to cater to school meal providers\, and how to troubleshoot potential barriers. We’ll discuss some of the unique benefits and opportunities of partnering with schools.  Representatives from schools and farms selling to them will join the conversation so you can hear directly from them about how it works. Farmers and school representatives will get to meet and network as well. \nPresentation: 3:00-4:30pm Open to All Farmers\nNetworking: 4:30-5:30pm Farmers and School Purchasers \nRSVP to Aja@buylocalfood.org or call 413-665-7100 by April 27th. Light refreshments provided.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-to-school-sales-are-they-right-for-your-business/
LOCATION:The Food Bank of Western MA\, 97 North Hatfield Road\, Hatfield\, MA\, 01038
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180412T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180412T203000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20160225T193710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180228T200425Z
UID:18354-1523556000-1523565000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Annual Meeting
DESCRIPTION:CISA supporters and members\, you are invited to our Annual Meeting at the Garden House at Look Park! \nJoin with the CISA community to celebrate CISA’s 25th anniversary\, honor this year’s Local Hero awardees\, and participate in a vibrant discussion about our local food economy with CISA staff\, board\, and your community! \nDinner will be provided\, with catering from River Valley Co-op! \nThis event is free\, and seating is limited to 175 people. RSVP to save a seat. Call 413-665-7100 or e-mail Jennifer.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-annual-meeting/
LOCATION:Garden House at Look Park\, Northampton
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180402T113000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20180328T211159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T211826Z
UID:26948-1522663200-1522668600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:HIP Suspension Regional Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) are holding regional meetings for our HIP partners and retailers. In February\, you received notification from DTA regarding the upcoming suspension of the Healthy Incentives Program. We know that the HIP suspension impacts retailers in a more nuanced manner and hope these regional meetings can provide you with more information and resources to better equip you at your markets when dealing with customers during the suspension. \nBelow are the dates\, times and locations for each regional meeting. Please RSVP at the links below as soon as possible. \nAgenda: \n\nWelcome and Introductions\nTools/Resources to communicate the HIP suspension effectively\nBest practices you or your agency have developed to assist you during the HIP suspension\nMaterial Swap\nPlease submit any materials ahead of time to DTA.HIP@state.ma.us using “Regional Meetings Material Swap” in the subject line.\nUpdates on Points of Contact for future inquiries\nQ & A\n\nPlease Note: As outlined in the communication you received in February\, the Departments will provide more information regarding the status of HIP as that information becomes available. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the HIP suspension. It is unlikely we will have any updates beyond that. \nThank you to our community partners for assistance in planning the meetings: Central Mass Grown\, CISA\, Berkshire Grown\, Northeast Harvest\, SEMAP\, Cape Cod Buy Fresh Buy Local\, and the City of Boston\, Office of Food Access. \nDates and Locations: Please RSVP through the links: \n\nBoston\, March 28\, 10:00 am – 11:30 am\, BCYF Tobin Center – 2nd Floor Conference Room\, 1481 Tremont St.\, 02120 (by the Roxbury Crossing Orange Line stop)\nHolyoke\, April 2\, 10:00 am – 11:30 am\, Holyoke Public Library\, 250 Chestnut St.\, 01040\nWorcester\, April 2\, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm\, Worcester Public Library\, Saxe Room\, 3 Salem St\, 01608\nLenox\, April 3\, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm\, Lenox Community Center\, 65 Walker St\,01240\nTopsfield\, April 5\, 9:30 am – 11:00 am: Topsfield Fairgrounds Bee Building\, 207 Boston St\, 01983\nHyannis\, 4/9\, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm\, Hyannis Golf Course 1800 Iyannough Rd\, 02601\nDartmouth\, 4/9\, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: UMass Dartmouth School of Law\, Larkin Moot Court Room\, 333 Faunce Corner Rd.\, Dartmouth 02747\nConference Call: April 11th \, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/hip-suspension-regional-meeting/
LOCATION:Holyoke Public Library\, 250 Chestnut Street\, Holyoke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180329T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180329T193000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20180307T204751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180320T144710Z
UID:26809-1522341000-1522351800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Workshop: How to Create a Content Strategy that Increases Customer Awareness and Drives Sales
DESCRIPTION:In today’s over-saturated digital media landscape\, how can you reach new audiences while cultivating loyal followers\, communicate your distinction\, and develop effective messaging that will inspire customers to keep coming back? The answer is to focus on a content marketing strategy that works for your business. In this workshop\, Robin Catalano will look at the main digital communication channels—websites\, blogs\, social media\, and email—and explain which types of content perform best on each. We’ll also cover how to create a marketing calendar that will take the guesswork out of posting and streamline your workflow\, posting frequency\, and timing\, as well as SEO basics that you can start implementing today. Dinner will be provided. The cost of this workshop is $10 and we ask that you please RSVP to Devon Whitney-Deal at devon@buylocalfood.org or call 413-665-7100\, ext. 22. \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nMarch 29: Content Strategy $10.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/how-to-create-a-content-strategy-that-increases-customer-awareness-and-drives-sales/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 302
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180322T180000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171204T182700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181108T133137Z
UID:25999-1521730800-1521741600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Workshop: Improving Workplace Communication
DESCRIPTION:(THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO MARCH 22ND) \nDevelop effective communication tools and explore strategies to improve our relationships with\, and the well-being of farm employees. Presenter\, Mary Jo Dudley of the Cornell Farmworker Program will address how to create a positive workplace and reduce communication misunderstandings including tips and tools for employers of foreign born farmers. Based on the extensive work of the Cornell Farmworker Program in capacity building for foreign-born farmworkers. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 301\, 303 Homestead Avenue\nPresenter: Mary Jo Dudley\, Cornell University and Director of Cornell Farmworker Program  \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nMarch 22: LH Member $15.00 USDMarch 22: non-LH Member $18.00 USDMarch 22: Additional Attendee $5.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75\, or $15 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-workshop-improving-workplace-communications/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center Room 301\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holyoke\, 01040
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180321T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180321T200000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20180206T190628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180306T152416Z
UID:26563-1521655200-1521662400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:RESCHEDULED: Next Generation of Farmers Gathering
DESCRIPTION:This event was originally scheduled for March 7th. It has been rescheduled for March 21st due to snow. \nOrganized by farmers\, for farmers. \nOn Wednesday\, March 21st at 6:00pm the Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange will host an event for farmers who are carrying on their family business. The organizers\, who are next generation farm owners themselves\, are creating an opportunity to gather with their peers and collaborate on current needs\, future goals\, and actions to support the continuation of their family farm legacies. \nThis event is intended to form a network of support and resources among those who may be returning to their own family farm\, taking on leadership roles at their family farm\, or stepping out on their own. Young and beginning operators and managers are encouraged to attend! \nCISA is proud to support this event. It is a great opportunity for future generations to continue their farming legacy and keep the family business viable for many years to come. \nFor more information and the RSVP\, contact Jeff Budine at Greenfield Farmers Cooperative Exchange – farmers@crocker.com or 413-773-9639. \nThis event is co-organized by Tessa White-Diemand of Diemand Farm\, Greenfield Farmers Cooperative\, Hardwick Farmers Co-op\, and Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture\, with support from Local Hero “next generation” farmers.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/next-generation-of-farmers-gathering/
LOCATION:Greenfield Farmers Cooperation\, 269 High St.\, Greenfield\, MA\, 01301\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180227T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180227T190000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171204T173452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180219T194612Z
UID:25997-1519747200-1519758000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Farmer to Farmer
DESCRIPTION:Join farmers from across the Northeast as we talk about experiences\, successes and challenges in our relationships as managers and people in the broader community of food and agriculture. We will also talk with each other about the future of farmers as managers\, workers\, leaders\, activists\, and family members. \nFarmer Guests: \nBen Dana and Danielle Allen – Root 5 Farm\, Fairlee VT\nAl and Nancy Rose – Red Apple Farm\, Phillipston MA\nJody Bolluyt – Roxbury Farm\, Kinderhook NY \nLocation: World War II Club\, 50 Conz. St. Northampton  \n  \nPrice is slightly less than other Winter Workshops:  \n\n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\n1 Attendee: February 27 $10.00 USD2 Attendee: Feburary 27: $15.00 USD3 Attendee: February 27 $20.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \nAbout the Farms:\nRed Apple Farm:  \nRed Apple Farm is a 4th generation farm established in 1912.  Although once a predominantly apple wholesale operation it is now a diversified direct-marketing farm operation.  The farm grows over 50 varieties of apples\, peaches\, pears\, blueberries\, raspberries\, pumpkins\, and potatoes.  The farm produces and makes a wide assortment of products year-round that include cider donuts\, fudge\, apple crisp\, fresh cider\, etc.  The farm operates and manages four retail locations.  The farm hosts several major events and festivals throughout the year and operates a function barn for private events and farm weddings. \n\nRed Apple Farm is proud to employ 100% local employees.  Many of the employees have family who have been part of the farm for several generations.  In the peak Fall season the farm employs over 100 folks.  The stall at the Boston Public Market has staff of approximately 20 folks while the farm staff at Wachusett Mountain is close to 40.  The farm has a team of 8 year-round managers overseeing different aspect of the operations.  Nancy and Al\, the current generation\, have four kids and live and work full time at the farm.\n\nRoot 5 Farm: \n\nRoot 5 Farm is located in Fairlee\, Vermont. We grow 8 acres of certified organic vegetables and we hire 5 full time employees from March to December. We grow for 175 CSA members\, 2 local grocery stores\, 6 restaurants\, and 2 farmers markets. One of our strategies to maintain happy\, healthy employees is to avoid huge spikes in the workload\, which is a burden on workers and causes burnout. We focus on careful crop planning and season extension so we can spread out the workload and provide consistent work for our employees for 10 months of the year.\n\nRoxbury Farm: \n\nRoxbury Farm is a community supported farm; a partnership between the farmers and the customers.  Through this partnership we can work together to create a food system that works for everyone.   Our customers know where their food comes from and who grows their food.  They have a direct relationship with the farmers and the land.  Our customers trust us to farm in a regenerative way and to produce the freshest and highest quality food possible at a fair price. \nWe have a guaranteed market for our products and we receive a fair price.  This allows us to pay better wages to people working on the farm\, use regenerative farming practices\, raise our livestock humanely\, and to share our farming knowledge with other farmers.  We want our farm to be here for our customers for generations to come. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on -ne consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-farmer-to-farmer/
LOCATION:World War II Club\, 50 Conz Street\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180213T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180213T190000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171204T172934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T212956Z
UID:25995-1518537600-1518548400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Agriculture Labor Laws
DESCRIPTION:We will cover federal and state labor laws\, including the Fair Labor Standards Act. CLF’s Legal Services Food Hub will present resources for understanding how to comply with regulations\, as well as how laws protect both workers and farm owners. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave.\, Holyoke\nPresenter: Attorney John S. Gannon\, Skoley Abbott – Springfield\, MA\,  Conservation Law Foundation\, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project \n\n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nFebruary 13: LH Member $15.00 USDFebruary 13: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nSnow Date: March 14 \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-agriculture-labor-laws/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holoyke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180210T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180210T140000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20151223T192825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180207T222854Z
UID:17563-1518256800-1518271200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Amherst Winter Fare
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA at the Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market on February 10 for a special Winter Fare day! A full day of free demos\, activities for kids\, music\, and more\, plus the amazing range of great local food and crafts that await you weekly at this market. \nWorkshops\nAll Day: Sam Coates of Backyard Bread\nBread and pizza samples\, and dough-making and pizza-making demos \nAll Day: Ed Rutledge of the Center for EcoTechnology\nUpcycling craft workshop—making old cabinet doors into home chalkboards \n11am: Matt Kushi of the North Hadley Chili Pepper Company\nGrowing\, and cooking with\, local chili peppers \n12pm: Willie Crosby from Fungi Ally\nGrowing mushrooms at home \nAll Winter Fare events are free\, open to the public\, and do not require an RSVP. Come join us!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/amherst-winter-fare/
LOCATION:Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market\, Hampshire Mall\, 367 Russell St\, Hadley
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180209T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180209T160000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171204T171757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180122T185417Z
UID:25991-1518181200-1518192000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Developing Farm SOPs and Training Staff
DESCRIPTION:In collaboration with MDAR and UMass we will go over how to create and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and how to train your staff as it relates to Food Safety and the Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Gary Gemme of Harvest Farm of Whately will talk about some of his methods for staff training and management. \nLocation: Harvest Farm of Whately\, 125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\nPresenter: Lisa McKeag – UMass Extension\, Michael Botelho and Alexandra Hachem – MDAR\, Gary Gemme – Harvest Farm of Whately \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nFebruary 9: LH Member $15.00 USDFeburary 9: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \nSnow Date: February 23 \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-developing-farm-sops-and-training-staff/
LOCATION:125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\, MA\, 125 Long Plain Rd.\, South Deerfield\, Massachusetts
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180206T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20180109T210342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180109T220108Z
UID:26324-1517907600-1517936400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
DESCRIPTION:Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are invited to attend this course. This course is one way to satisfy the Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in §112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’ \nInstructors Lisa McKeag of UMass Extension and Michael Botelho of the MDAR Commonwealth Quality Program will discuss produce safety best practices\, key parts of the Produce Safety Rule requirements\, and how these requirements will be enforced in MA through MDAR’s Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP). There will be time for questions and discussion\, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions. \n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER. \nRegistration costs $40\, which includes the required PSA Grower Manual ($50 value)\, a certificate of course attendance from AFDO ($35 value)\, a certificate of attendance from UMass/MDAR\, and lunch and refreshments. This course is co-sponsored by UMass Extension\, MDAR\, and CISA. \nWhat to expect:\n \nParticipants will learn about Good Agricultural Practices\, Produce Safety Rule requirements\, and how to develop a farm food safety plan. The following topics will be covered: \n\nIntroduction to produce safety\nWorker health\, hygiene\, and training\nSoil amendments\nWildlife\, domesticated animals\, and land use\nAgricultural water (used both in production and postharvest)\nPostharvest handling and sanitation\nHow to develop a farm food safety plan\n\nAfter attending the entire course and submitting the appropriate paperwork to instructors\, participants will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials that verifies they have completed the training course. \n\n\n\n\nFor more information\, contact Lisa McKeag at 413-577-3976.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/psatraining/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holoyke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180203T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180203T130000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20151223T193358Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180126T160223Z
UID:17564-1517652000-1517662800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Greenfield Winter Fare
DESCRIPTION:Come on out to the Greenfield Winter Farmers’ Market on February 3 at the Four Corners School for a special Winter Fare day! A full day of free demos\, activities for kids\, music\, and more\, plus the amazing range of great local food and crafts that await you monthly at this market. Come on out and bring a friend! \nWorkshops\nAll Day: Upcycle Your T-Shirts! with Jess Rigollaud \n10am: Cultivating Mushrooms at Home with Paul Lagreze of New England Wild Edibles \n11am: Seed Saving and Heirloom Vegetables with Danny Botkin of Laughing Dog Farm \n12pm: Make Your Own Ghee with Hannah Jacobson-Hardy of Full Moon Ghee \nCISA is also organizing a special Winter Fare day at the Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market on February 10. All Winter Fare events are free\, open to the public\, and do not require an RSVP. Come join us!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/greenfield-winter-fare/
LOCATION:Four Corners School\, 21 Ferrante Avenue\, Greenfield\, MA\, 01301\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180131T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180131T200000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171204T162837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T213204Z
UID:25977-1517418000-1517428800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Employee Manuals: Policies\, Ethics and Law
DESCRIPTION:We’ll walk through the steps of creating an employee manual that your employees with understand We’ll also discuss federal and state laws\, policies that support the health and well-being of your staff\, and best practices for upholding those policies. \nSarah is Counsel for the firm Bulkley Richardson in the Business and Finance department and is a member of the Employment Law Practice Group. Her practice encompasses a wide range of industries and clients including entrepreneurs\, closely-held / family businesses\, restaurant and bar owners\, equestrian facilities / family farms\, crafters\, gourmet markets\, artists and musicians. She is a frequent speaker and lecturer on employment law\, corporate compliance\, intellectual property protection and export control at conferences\, panels and workshops across the country. \nLocation: Holyoke Community College\, Kittredge Center Rm 303\, 303 Homestead Ave.\, Holyoke\nPresenter: Sarah K Willey\, Esq.  \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nJanuary 31: LH Member $15.00 USDJanuary 31: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series: \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on -ne consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-employee-manuals-policies-ethics-and-law/
LOCATION:Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center\, Room 303\, 303 Homestead Ave\, Holoyke\, MA\, 01040\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180127T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180127T140000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20151223T192306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180123T223632Z
UID:17562-1517047200-1517061600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Forest Park Winter Fare
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA at the Farmers’ Market at Forest Park on January 27 for a special Winter Fare day! A full day of food demos\, sampling\, and more\, plus the amazing range of great local food and crafts that await you twice a month at this market. Come on out and bring a friend! Find more details about the Farmers’ Market at Forest Park. \nWe’ll be joined by Ashley Tresoline of Bella Foodie—learn how to eat well and stay healthy with local veggies all winter long! \nCISA is also organizing a special Winter Fare day at the Greenfield Winter Farmers’ Market on February 3 and the Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market on February 10. All Winter Fare events are free\, open to the public\, and do not require an RSVP. Come join us!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/springfield-winter-fare/
LOCATION:The Old Monkey House at Forest Park\, Trafton Road Entrance\, Springfield
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180125T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180125T193000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160848
CREATED:20171130T223644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T213255Z
UID:25965-1516897800-1516908600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Building Workplace Culture for Staff Retention
DESCRIPTION:How do you retain staff year after year? How do you create a strong team from the beginning and follow through the season? In this workshop we will work together to build management and training styles for staff retention including mission clarification\, empowering managers and crew leaders\, and clear communication and feedback. This workshop builds upon Pete’s fall 2017 workshop and digs deeper into the topic of staff retention\, so folks can walk away with clear next steps towards developing a strong farm team and methods of accountability over the course of a season. Stevie and Pete bring their previous work as facilitators\, farmers\, and managers to this collaboration. \nLocation: CISA Office\, 1 Sugarloaf St.\, South Deerfield\n Presenters: Pete McLean of True North and Stevie Schafenacker of CISA \n\n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nJanuary 25: LH Member $15.00 USDJanuary 25: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nSnow Date: March 15 \nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-building-workplace-culture-and-leadership-for-staff-retention/
LOCATION:CISA Office\, 1 Sugarloaf Street\, South Deerfield\, MA\, 01373\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180123T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180123T193000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20171130T224457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T213357Z
UID:25969-1516725000-1516735800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: Building Workplace Culture for Staff Retention
DESCRIPTION:How do you retain staff year after year? How do you create a strong team from the beginning and follow through the season? In this workshop we will work together to build management and training styles for staff retention including mission clarification\, empowering managers and crew leaders\, and clear communication and feedback. This workshop builds upon Pete’s fall 2017 workshop and digs deeper into the topic of staff retention\, so folks can walk away with clear next steps towards developing a strong farm team and methods of accountability over the course of a season. Stevie and Pete bring their previous work as facilitators\, farmers\, and managers to this collaboration.\n\n\n\nLocation: Holyoke Senior Center\, 291 Pine St.\, Holyoke\nPresenters: Pete McLean of True North and Stevie Schafenacker of CISA \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nJanuary 23: LH Member $15.00 USDJanuary 23: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nSnow Date: March 15 \nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series: \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-building-workplace-culture-for-staff-retention/
LOCATION:Holyoke Senior Center\, 291 Pine Street\, Holyoke\, MA\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180118T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180118T200000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20171130T170018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180105T213502Z
UID:25954-1516294800-1516305600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:CISA Winter Workshop: The Full Cycle of Farm Labor
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop we will explore the steps in hiring\, training and retaining farm employees\, from drafting job descriptions and policies to record-keeping and exit interviews. We’ll share some decision-making tools to help farmers become employers. Participants will be introduced to available resources to make farm labor management less overwhelming. This workshop is ideal for those new to hiring and/or farm employers wanting to formalize their work crew; it will cover the important things to consider when hiring people to work on your farm. \n\nLocation: Northampton Senior Center\, 67 Conz St.\, Northampton\nPresenter: Mary Peabody\, Extension Specialist – University of Vermont \n\nMary Peabody is a community economic development specialist with University of Vermont Extension. She also serves as the founding Program Director for the Women’s Ag Network (WAgN) and the UVM Extension New Farmer project. She started her career with UVM Extension in 1988. Her professional interests include the sustainability of rural communities\, distance education using technology and issues pertaining to social/economic justice. \n\n\n\n \n\n\nRegister for Workshop\n\n\nJanuary 18: LH Member $15.00 USDJanuary 18: non-LH Member $18.00 USDWinter Workshop series- LH member $75.00 USDWinter Workshop series- non-LH member $95.00 USD \n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSnow Date: March 12 \n\nThis workshop is part of the CISA Winter Workshop Series:  \nPolicies Practices\, and People\nFarmers and related business owners and operators\, you are invited to participate in CISA’s seven-workshop series “Labor Management: Policies\, Practices and People” beginning January 2018. \nA well rounded farm operation needs to be a positive workplace that meets the needs and expectations of managers and employees. Addressing the issues of ethical management\, staff retention\, and effective communication and training tools\, this series’ topics span the needs of multiple farm audiences. Whether you are new to farm employment or looking for advanced methods to improve staff management and workplace culture\, these workshops will provide tools for a productive\, healthy\, and just workplace that improves farm operations. Examples in the workshops will be farm related\, but the skills and methodology will be relevant to all businesses. \nBy participating in at least three workshops\, you will be eligible to receive a one-on-one consultation to improve your staff management and operations. \nThe cost to attend the whole series is $75 for Local Hero Members or $15 for each individual workshop. The non-member cost is $95 for the series\, or $18 for each individual workshop. Food will be provided at each session. If cost is a barrier to your participation\, please feel free to contact Stevie to discuss options—we want everyone to be able to get the training they need to effectively operate their business. Scholarships may be available. \nContact Stevie Schafenacker via email or at (413) 665-7100\, ext. 27 for more information. \nTranslation services may be provided upon request. \nFunding for CISA’s Winter Workshop Series is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through grant USDA-AMS-SCBGP-2016\, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/cisa-winter-workshop-the-full-cycle-of-farm-labor/
LOCATION:Northampton Senior Center\, 67 Conz St\, Northampton\, MA\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20180113T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20180113T140000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20151223T191740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180109T193632Z
UID:17561-1515834000-1515852000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Northampton Winter Fare
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA at the Northampton Winter Farmers’ Market on January 13th for a special Winter Fare day! A full day of free demos\, activities for kids\, music\, and more\, plus the amazing range of great local food and crafts that await you weekly at this market. Come on out and bring a friend! Find more details about the Northampton Winter Farmers’ Market. \nActivities\n10am: Storytime with Ronnie!\nKids’ story time with Ronnie \n10am: Windowsill Microgreen Gardening\nwith Bryce Comprone of Wild for Greens \n11am: Easy Homemade Cheese\nwith Peter Dixon & Rachel Fritz Schaal of Parish Hill Creamery \n12pm: Making Tortillas\nwith Jorge Sosa of Mi Tierra Tortillas \n1pm: Make-it! Upcycling Craft Workshop\nwith Ed Rutledge of the Center for EcoTechnology \nCISA is also organizing special Winter Fare days at the Farmers’ Market at Forest Park on January 27\, and at the Greenfield Winter Farmers’ Market on February 3\, and the Amherst Winter Farmers’ Market on February 10. All Winter Fare events are free\, open to the public\, and do not require an RSVP. Come join us!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/northampton-winter-fare/
LOCATION:Northampton Senior Center\, 67 Conz St\, Northampton\, MA\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171211T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171211T193000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20171108T224553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171117T172917Z
UID:25659-1513009800-1513020600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farmer/Buyer Meet & Greet: How to Use Market Research to Guide Business Decisions
DESCRIPTION:4:30-6:00pm (Presentation) – 6:00-7:30 (Networking) \nMyrna Greenfield\, “top egg” of Good Egg Marketing\, will be leading a workshop as part of this CISA’s fall networking event. Whether you’re trying to figure out if there’s enough demand for your products\, if there’s a gap you can fill\, what your customers care about or who your competitors are\, resources you can use to guide your business decisions. Please join us after the workshop for an opportunity to network and mingle with buyers in the marketplace and producers alike! Refreshments will be provided. \nPlease RSVP by December 6th to Aja Talarico at 413-665-7100\, ext. 24 or aja@buylocalfood.org
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farmerbuyer-meet-greet-how-to-use-market-research-to-guide-business-decisions/
LOCATION:Northampton Brewery\, 11 Brewster Court\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171204T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171204T203000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20171012T160822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171115T213238Z
UID:25375-1512408600-1512419400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:HIP Forum
DESCRIPTION:This event is intended for farmers’ market vendors\, farm staff\, market managers\, and volunteers working directly with HIP at farmers’ markets\, farm stands\, and CSAs. \nPlease join us at CISA’s Fall HIP Forum to sum up HIP’s successes and challenges\, share best practices and existing resources\, and advocate for what markets and farms need to ensure HIP is successful. We’ll be meeting Monday\, December 4 from 5:30-8:30pm\, in the back room of the World War II Club in Northampton (just off I-91\, with parking available). Food will be provided; there is a cash bar in the front of the club. All market and farm folks working directly with HIP are encouraged to attend. Refreshments provided. Please contact Mia to RSVP. Hope to see you there! \nCISA developed this flyer to show customers where they can access their HIP benefit through the winter months. We encourage you to make it available at your farm stand and/or farmers’ market. If you have any questions\, please contact Mia.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/hip-forum/
LOCATION:World War II Club\, 50 Conz Street\, Northampton\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171114T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171114T180000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170921T163150Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171020T184557Z
UID:25099-1510671600-1510682400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Understanding Customer Behavior at Farmers' Markets: Tips to Increase Sales
DESCRIPTION:With the number of farmers’ markets in the Massachusetts steadily increasing and the tripling of SNAP sales coming into markets through the state-wide Healthy Incentive Program\, drawing in customers to your stand is imperative. \nWhat can farmers do to attract more shoppers to their stands? How can farmers actively market their products in and out of the farmers’ markets? What can farmers do to better understand customer behavior at the market\, and how can they use this information to increase customer satisfaction? \nChris Wayne of GrowNYC’s FARMroots program will present a tool for measuring customer behavior at farmers’ markets. By leveraging customer research performed by grocery stores and largescale food retailers\, and building on 40 years of institutional knowledge internally through the operation of NYC’s Greenmarkets\, FARMroots developed strategies to increase sales and customer satisfaction. Learn tips for advanced merchandising\, how to appeal to a customer’s behavioral habits\, segmenting your market\, how to leverage sales data records to make informed marketing decisions\, and ways you and your staff can improve your customer’s overall shopping experience. \nFor more information contact Stevie Schafenacker – stevie@buylocalfood.org\, 413-665-7100 ext. 27 \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\nLocal Hero Members $10.00 USDNon-Members $15.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nAbout FARMRoots: \nFARMroots provides both aspiring and established Greenmarket farmers with business technical assistance and training designed to ensure the long-term viability of participating farms and farmland. Technical assistance is provided through both in-house services and through the engagement of cost-shared consultants. \nAbout GrowNYC: \nGrowNYC’s mission is to improve New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Over the past 45 years they’ve become a service organization\, operating 50+ farmers’ markets and regional food hub\, providing city-wide recycling and composting resources\, supporting a network of hundreds of community gardens\, and creating a robust farmer and community education program. Their Greenmarket Farmers’ Market network sees over 250\,000 customers each week with 224 regional farmers and food producers. \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\nLocal Hero Members $10.00 USDNon-Members $15.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nFunding for this workshop was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002\, Local Hero members\, and individual contributors.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/understanding-customer-behavior-at-farmers-markets/
LOCATION:Northampton Senior Center\, 67 Conz St\, Northampton\, MA\, MA\, 01060\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171112T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171112T120000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170509T201137Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170804T145335Z
UID:23486-1510473600-1510488000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:3rd Annual Clarkdale Cider Run
DESCRIPTION:About This Event\nCome celebrate the fall\, drink some freshly pressed sweet cider\, and support CISA at the 3rd Annual Clarkdale Cider Run\, on Sunday\, November 12\, 2017\, at Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield\, MA. All proceeds will go to CISA. \nVolunteers\nInterested in volunteering at the Cider Run? Contact Lisabeth Jasniewicz at CISA — (413) 665-7100 ext. 29. \nCourse\nThis is a beautiful 12K loop course on Upper & Lower Rd in Deerfield & Greenfield\, MA\, starting and finishing at Clarkdale Fruit Farms. The course includes some rolling hills and one tough climb\, with around 383 feet of total gain. \nRegister Here!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/3rd-annual-clarkdale-cider-run/
LOCATION:Clarkdale Fruit Farms\, 303 Upper Rd\, \, Deerfield\, MA\, 01342\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171108T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171108T133000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170922T143441Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171106T175929Z
UID:25144-1510131600-1510147800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Lean Management Principles for Farmers
DESCRIPTION:WE’VE HAD A GREAT RESPONSE FOR THIS WORKSHOP! UNFORTUNATELY\, WE ARE AT CAPACITY AND CAN NO LONGER TAKE RSVP’S. To be put on the waiting list\, please email stevie@buylocalfood.org with your name and farm/business name. Thank you! \n\nCan factory principles be applied to farming without compromising the values of sustainability? According to our presenter and lean business consultant Scott Morrison\, it can. This is backed up by the recent book “The Lean Farm” authored by Indiana small farmer\, Ben Hartman. His popular book created a buzz in the agricultural community\, offering an approach to efficiency that focuses on increasing production capacity by changing your processes in all aspects of your operations. Farmers like Hartman found that incorporating lean principles drastically cuts their wastes and increases their profits\, making their farms more environmentally and economically sustainable. \nExactly how do these principles translate to farm operations? Lean makes you think about the minutia of operations and how even the smallest improvement can add up to savings over time: in money\, tools\, and resources. It means taking note of the number of movements a person makes from harvest to market\, using the right sized and functioning tools\, improving communication with your employees\, and seeing where you can minimize the use of resources like water and packaging.\nJoin us for a half-day workshop on lean farming presented by consultant Scott Morrison at Outlook Farm with owner\, Brad Morse. We will begin with an introduction to Lean principles and apply them in a walkthrough of Outlook’s post-harvest operations. We will discuss how to map out any process in your operations to identify opportunities to streamline and reduce costs\, determine the capacity of production and how to create investment and ownership from your workforce to make improvements to the farm. \nOur presenter\, Scott Morrison\, consulted with Local Hero member Red Fire Farm\, referenced in a recent May 17th Boston Globe article. He has worked with other farms throughout the Northeast in addition to Red Fire and we are excited to bring him back to the Valley to speak to more farmers on the value in lean farming principles. \nThis workshop is coordinated in collaboration with PVGrows Investment Fund\, Franklin County CDC (FCCDC)\, and Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) Agricultural Business Training Program \nFor more information contact Stevie Schafenacker – stevie@buylocalfood.org\, 413-665-7100 ext. 27 \nAbout Scott: \nScott Morrison has thirty-five years of experience in the fields of Quality\, Engineering\, and Operations\, the last six as a 5S/Lean consultant to a variety of companies across the US\, including a few farms in New England. He has a sharp eye for understanding processes and then cutting through the waste to enhance the value of those processes. Excellent communication skills plus both shop floor and senior management experience allow Scott to easily relate to everyone in your organization. \nMore About Lean Farming: \nFarmer to Farmer podcast: The Lean Farm\n“Fueling the Farm to Table…”\, Boston Globe\nThe Lean Farm by Ben Hartman\nScott Morrison \n\n\n“Funding for this workshop was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 16FMPPMA0002.  Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.”
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/lean-management-principles-for-farmers/
LOCATION:Outlook Farm\, 136 Main Road\, Westhampton\, MA\, 01027\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171026T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171026T170000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170922T144416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171019T181046Z
UID:25150-1509026400-1509037200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Efficiency in the Field: Managing Your Crew to Achieve Results and Deepen Relationships
DESCRIPTION:Join Pete McLean of True North Facilitation and Zoe Abram of Brookfield Farm to look at Brookfield as a case study for crew management. The workshop is broken into two parts: an introduction to Brookfield Farm as a case study\, and a self assessment and analysis of each participant’s farm. \nPete’s approach is very personal\, and requires folks to look at their plans\, clarify their goals\, craft the process\, and commit to the outcomes. With his experience in farming and background in developing community culture\, Pete’s focus will be on creating farm crew buy in to daily operations as it relates to field operations. \nThis event is GREAT for farm owners and managers in their first 10 years of operation but make no mistake\, there is knowledge to be gained by all levels of experience at this workshop. \nFor more information contact Stevie Schafenacker – stevie@buylocalfood.org\, 413-665-7100 ext. 27 and read more about Pete McLean below. \nPete McLean founded his coaching and consulting business\, True North Facilitation\, focused on empowering people to achieve the results they want while deepening the relationships they care about. Much of his knowledge and skills come from his near decade experience in farm fields and community organizing. He co-founded Book and Plow Farm in Amherst\, MA and worked in others fields throughout Massachusetts\, the Northeast\, and Belize.  Since starting True North\, Pete has worked with over 40 individuals and small businesses\, including farmers.  \n\n \n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\nLocal Hero Members $10.00 USDNon-Members $15.00 USD\n\n\nEnter name(s) of attendees:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nFunding for this workshop is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)\, National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award 2016-70017-25423\, and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/efficiency-in-the-field-managing-your-crew-to-achieve-results-and-deepen-relationships/
LOCATION:Brookfield Farm\, Hulst Rd\, Amherst\, MA
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20171008T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20171008T170000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170822T150852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170929T141200Z
UID:24734-1507471200-1507482000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farm Olympics
DESCRIPTION:October 8\, 2017\,  2:00-5:00pm \nJust Roots Farm in Greenfield \nCalling all extreme farmers! … or just your average farm crew prone to antics and friendly competition. The Farm Olympics is coming to the Pioneer Valley! Recommended training regimens might include weeding with gusto\, launching hay bales\, estimating vegetable weights\, racing crates of potatoes down pathways and weed identification. Compete as a farm team or come on your own and create a team! Not a farmer? This is a come one come all competition!  Take on the local farmers\, if you dare! \nWe are looking for folks who want to come with their own farm team. It can be a cadre of crew members\, a contingent of customers\, or a formation of multiple farms. Let us know If you’d like to get involved in planning and/or what your team name would be. Who wouldn’t want to make their own Squash Squad? \nIn support and collaboration with CISA\, Just Roots will be coordinating and hosting the 2017 Farm Olympics at their farm in Greenfield. RSVP requested but not required. Delicious food and beverage to follow provided by The People’s Pint. \nFor more information or to RSVP: \nStevie Schafenacker\, CISA Program Coordinator\, 413-665-7100 \nRochelle Bellin\, Just Roots Program Coordinator\, 413-325-8969
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farm-olympics/
LOCATION:Just Roots Farm\, 34 Glenbrook Drive\, Greenfield\, MA\, 01301\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20170906T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20170906T210000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170720T143954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170906T131442Z
UID:24227-1504724400-1504731600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:SOLD OUT! Rosie the Riveter Serves You Dinner: Local Women in Food with Belly of the Beast
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a hyper-local special dinner at the height of harvest! \nPartnering with CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture)\, Belly of the Beast celebrates local women in food with a special multi-course pop-up dinner featuring three local farms with women at the helm:\n• Caroline Pam (Kitchen Garden Farm\, Sunderland\, MA) – produce & herbs\n• Julia Coffey (Mycoterra Farm\, Westhampton\, MA) – mushrooms\n• Cris Coffin (Eden Pond Farm\, Bernardston\, MA) – chickens\nCaroline\, Julia and Cris will join us at this multi-course family meal to discuss their farming experiences. \n______\nALSO beverages provided by local women-owned businesses.\nBantam Cider (Somerville\, MA)\, Iconica Social Club (Northampton\, MA)\, and Harmony Springs (Ludlow\, MA). \nCider and soft drink pairing can be included for an additional $16.\nReservations required\, only 33 seats available :: beast bucks + gift certificates not redeemable for this special event\nTo reserve a seat click here! \nFor a preview of the menu\, CLICK HERE!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/local-women-in-food-dinner-with-belly-of-the-beast/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20170903T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20170903T200000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170720T143414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170728T140232Z
UID:24223-1504461600-1504468800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:"Staff Meal" at Bistro Les Gras
DESCRIPTION:In collaboration with CISA Bistro Les Gras will be serving a muli-course dinner with a few of their favorite local farmers and producers featuring the lesser knowns of the our food world. In the spirit of a “Staff Meal”\, a meal that a restaurant would generally hold for their staff\, will be a menu full of the scraps and leftovers from our menu….but in a delicious way!! Chef Peter will be serving a wonderful meal dedicated to all those fantastic bits that you may be throwing out. Remember those turnips and carrots you bought last week from the market; where did all those wonderful greens go? Probably not into your breakfast. How about those tomato tops and pepper bits from the last time you grilled? Most likely not into a quick and fresh “bolognaise”. This fantastic dinner will be full of conversation and delicious eats\, so reserve your spot soon! \nCLICK HERE FOR MENU! \n6:00pm\nSunday\, September 3rd\n$50/person\n(reservations are required)
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/staff-meal-at-bistro-les-gras-for-cisas-restaurant-campaign/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20170828T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20170828T200000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170721T164930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170828T184933Z
UID:24320-1503939600-1503950400@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Tastings and Pairings at Great Falls Harvest
DESCRIPTION:Join Great Falls Harvest in Turners Falls for an evening of mingling and sampling as they offer a variety of prepared dishes and value-added products to pair alongside some tasty local beverages. Get a chance to chat with some of the local farmers who supplied the ingredients for these exciting dishes as well as Chef Chris Menegoni who artfully prepared them for your enjoyment. This is a casual sampling showcase\, not a sit down dinner. \nFarmers and Producers being Featured: \nStoneman Brewery\nMount Warner Vineyards\nBotanica Bitters\nArtisan Beverage Cooperative\nUpinngil Farm\nFour Star Farms\nOld Friends Farm\nFrizzel Hill Farm\nDancing Bear Farm\n2nd Street Baking Company \nCost: $40\, includes all food samples and samples from Artisan Beverage Cooperative and Stoneman Brewery. Additional beverages can be purchased.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/value-added-showcase-and-pairing-at-great-falls-harvest/
LOCATION:MA
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20170713T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20170713T180000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170601T151645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170712T163252Z
UID:23750-1499958000-1499968800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Farmer to Farmer: Profitable Pastures
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is SOLD OUT!\n\nJoin Amy Klippenstein and Paul Lacinski of Sidehill Farm\, Eric Sheffer of Sheffer’s Grassland Dairy\, and Morgan Hartman of Black Queen Angus Farm as they share insight from years of managing pastures. Topics will include land stewardship\, forage growth\, soil fertility\, and animal health and genetics. We will discuss the ways all of these things and more affect the cost of production and improve your bottom line. Jump at the chance to learn from these Northeast farmers as well as each other. We will begin with a pasture walk of Sidehill Farm. Snacks provided. \nAbout the presenters: \nAmy Klippenstein & Paul Lacinski\, Sidehill Farm: Operating on 225 acres of certified organic pastures and hayfields\, woodlands\, and big sky\, with a herd of 80 grass-fed Normande and Jersey cows\, Sidehill Farm produces nearly 1500 gallons of yogurt per week. They have been in operation as a farm since the early 2000’s\, taking over a farm previously growing hay and potatoes in 2012. Sidehill Farm was a New England Green Pastures Outstanding Dairy Farm award winner for 2015. \nEric Sheffer\, Sheffer Grassland Dairy: Sheffer’s Grassland Dairy is a seasonal grazing farm owned and operated by Wally Sheffer and his son Eric Sheffer. They began milking cows in the spring of 2008 after Eric graduated from Cornell University. Before this time the family farm functioned as a crop growing and heifer raising facility.  The Sheffers have grown to 240 cows. They manage 250 acres of intensive grass and run an additional 350 acres of crop ground\, which is primarily made into baleage. \nMorgan Hartman\, Black Queen Angus Farm: Morgan is the managing partner of Black Angus Queen Farm in Berlin\, NY. The farm focuses on the development of a world class registered breeding stock herd under a commercially oriented\, Holistically Managed\, least-cost production paradigm. Morgan is a founding member of the annual Winter Green-Up Grazing Conference in Albany. He will present on planned and adaptive grazing with emphasis on production per unit of land area vs. production per animal. A component of this comes down to genetic selection under a given farmer’s production paradigm on THEIR farm and the inherent conditions there of; soils\, aspect\, slope\, existing vegetation\, AND above all\, Holistic Context.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farmer-to-farmer-profitable-pastures/
LOCATION:Sidehill Farm\, 58 Forget Road\, Hawley
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20170604T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20170604T180000
DTSTAMP:20260521T160849
CREATED:20170323T204631Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20170503T192543Z
UID:22909-1496584800-1496599200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Polka Party Benefit for Senior FarmShare
DESCRIPTION:Join CISA and WHMP for an afternoon of live polka\, cold beer and delicious food to benefit CISA’s Senior Farm Share Program!\n \nDance to the lively sounds of Grammy-nominated and Polka Hall of Fame member Dennis Polisky & The Maestro’s Men. Partial proceeds from the event help feed local seniors in need.  \nSunday\, June 4 from 2-6 pm at the Hatfield Lion’s Club Pavilion. \nLimited number of early bird tickets available right here\, save $5! \nCISA’s Senior FarmShare program provides shares of the local harvest to low-income seniors. Each participating senior receives 10 weeks of fresh\, local produce delivered to their residence or a local senior center. \nIn 2016\, the Senior Farm Share program provided food for 500 local seniors throughout Hampden\, Hampshire\, and Franklin Counties. The program relies on a mix of state funds and public generosity to provide fresh\, local food to our low income seniors.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/polka-party-benefit-for-senior-farmshare/
LOCATION:Hatfield Lion’s Club Pavilion\, 15 Billings Way\, Hatfield\, MA\, 01038\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Community Events
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR