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X-WR-CALNAME:CISA - Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for CISA - Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T183000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260423T175131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T174520Z
UID:52119-1777998600-1778005800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Local Hero Meet & Greet: Hampden County
DESCRIPTION:Local Hero members\, you are invited! Celebrate the start of another season with a light supper and beverage in the good company of other farmers! \nIn case you missed our annual meeting\, here’s our chance to be in community before the season is in full swing. Jennifer Core and CISA team members will be on hand to share updates on CISA’s programs for the year and to listen and learn about topics that concern your farm. \nThis event is free\, but we appreciate registration so we plan for enough food. If you renewed and haven’t received your 2026 Local Hero promotional materials yet\, we’ll bring them to the event for you. \nRegister here!
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/lh-meetup-hampden-county/
LOCATION:Raven Hollow Winery\, 436 Russellville Road\, Westfield\, MA\, 01085\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.buylocalfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bernards-photo-vegetable-crop-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260511T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260511T193000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260505T143607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T143607Z
UID:52203-1778522400-1778527800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:SNAP/HIP Vendor Training
DESCRIPTION:Make sure your farm stand and farmers’ market staff are ready to accept SNAP this summer by having them attend this SNAP employee training. Are you a beginning farmer or new farm owner or operator interested in accepting SNAP? We will talk about the application process and resources available to help you. \n\nParticipants will learn SNAP basics including what EBT cards look like\, what items are SNAP eligible\, how to run a SNAP transaction\, and the differences between SNAP and HIP. Attendees will come away knowing how SNAP works\, how to answer questions around SNAP and HIP\, and how to successfully and legally run a transaction on FIS and TotilPay platforms. \nThis training will also cover the SNAP protocols and rules that the USDA requires businesses to cover with their employees every year. A list of employees who attended the training can be provided to the employer\, to satisfy the USDA’s requirement that SNAP training for staff be documented. \n\nThis training is designed for employees who will be processing SNAP transactions but is open to all staff of farm businesses or farmers’ markets that accept SNAP or those interested in becoming SNAP vendors. \n\nChoose from Monday May 11\, 6-7:30 pm or Wednesday May 13\, 12-1:30 pm. \n\nRegister here and a zoom link will be emailed to you: https://airtable.com/app9pfoHBkR93t6df/shrkEfIRRv7wjw4DO \n\nIf neither of these dates work for you\, please contact foodaccess@buylocalfood.org and we may be able to schedule additional sessions.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/snap-hip-vendor-training/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T133000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260505T143828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T143828Z
UID:52205-1778675400-1778679000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:SNAP/HIP Vendor Training
DESCRIPTION:Make sure your farm stand and farmers’ market staff are ready to accept SNAP this summer by having them attend this SNAP employee training. Are you a beginning farmer or new farm owner or operator interested in accepting SNAP? We will talk about the application process and resources available to help you. \n\nParticipants will learn SNAP basics including what EBT cards look like\, what items are SNAP eligible\, how to run a SNAP transaction\, and the differences between SNAP and HIP. Attendees will come away knowing how SNAP works\, how to answer questions around SNAP and HIP\, and how to successfully and legally run a transaction on FIS and TotilPay platforms. \nThis training will also cover the SNAP protocols and rules that the USDA requires businesses to cover with their employees every year. A list of employees who attended the training can be provided to the employer\, to satisfy the USDA’s requirement that SNAP training for staff be documented. \n\nThis training is designed for employees who will be processing SNAP transactions but is open to all staff of farm businesses or farmers’ markets that accept SNAP or those interested in becoming SNAP vendors. \n\nChoose from Monday May 11\, 6-7:30 pm or Wednesday May 13\, 12-1:30 pm. \n\nRegister here and a zoom link will be emailed to you: https://airtable.com/app9pfoHBkR93t6df/shrkEfIRRv7wjw4DO \n\nIf neither of these dates work for you\, please contact foodaccess@buylocalfood.org and we may be able to schedule additional sessions.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/snap-hip-vendor-training-2/
LOCATION:Zoom
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events,CISA Workshops for Businesses
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T180000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260423T180253Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T174257Z
UID:52123-1778688000-1778695200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Local Hero Meet & Greet: Franklin County
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate the start of another season with a light supper\, ice cream and the good company of other farmers! \nCISA staff member\, Stephen Taranto will share how CISA is doing some research for FRCOG on irrigation and water efficiency in Franklin county. The county hopes to use the information to help them better support farmers. Jennifer Core and other CISA team members will be on hand to listen and learn about what matters to you at this moment. \nThis event is free\, but we appreciate registration to help us plan for enough food. If you renewed your Local Hero membership and haven’t received your 2026 Local Hero promotional materials yet\, we’ll bring them to the event for you. \nPlease register here.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/lh-meetup-franklin-county/
LOCATION:Hager’s Farm Market\, 1232 Mohawk Trail\, Shelburne\, MA\, 01370\, United States
CATEGORIES:CISA Events,Farmer Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.buylocalfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bernards-photo-vegetable-crop-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T140000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260505T143146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T143146Z
UID:52200-1778925600-1778940000@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:2026 Spring Festival and Seedling Sale
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/2026-spring-festival-and-seedling-sale/
LOCATION:Just Roots Farm\, 34 Glenbrook Drive\, Greenfield\, MA\, 01301\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family events,Community Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T180000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260508T153857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T184713Z
UID:52212-1779897600-1779904800@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Designing and optimizing irrigation systems for drought resiliency\, water efficiency and crop quality
DESCRIPTION:Location: Pioneer Gardens Farm\, 425 Greenfield Rd\, Deerfield\, MA 01342 \nRegister here \nThis workshop at Pioneer Gardens in South Deerfield\, MA will bring farmers and irrigation system designers together to look at emerging irrigation practices that increase water efficiency. Participants will have the opportunity to walk through and discuss the irrigation systems at Pioneer Gardens that were designed and implemented under the direction of a professional engineer. \nThe on‑site discussion will include: \n\n\nIrrigation water management using automated soil moisture sensors and an on‑site weather station\, with discussion of how to interpret data and translate it into real‑world irrigation decisions\nUse of pressure regulators across the system to maintain uniform flow and pressure\, a key factor in achieving even irrigation and minimizing over‑ or under‑watering\nMainline and riser layout designed with risers spaced at 42 ft 3 in\, coordinated with GPS‑guided tractor operations to improve efficiency and avoid interference with field work\nA large irrigation boom system using low‑flow\, low‑pressure rotating nozzles to achieve high application uniformity with reduced water use and energy demand\nAbove‑ground solid‑set irrigation using similar low‑flow\, low‑pressure rotating nozzles\, providing flexible coverage and consistent distribution\nAn upgrade from a fire‑truck‑based irrigation pump to a high‑efficiency\, automated electric pump\, improving reliability\, energy efficiency\, and operational control\n\nThe goal of this walkthrough is to connect engineering design choices with day‑to‑day farm management decisions\, showing how thoughtful system design can reduce labor\, improve crop quality\, and make irrigation more predictable during dry periods. \n\nThe event will include opportunities for farmers to share their own approaches to irrigation\, including discussion of labor efficiency and decision-making during droughts. We will also provide information on grants and other funding sources for irrigation and related infrastructure. \nFollowing the workshop there will be a networking session with a light meal. \n\nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/designing-and-optimizing-irrigation-systems-for-drought-resiliency-water-efficiency-and-crop-quality/
LOCATION:Pioneer Gardens\, Inc.\, 425 Greenfield Rd\, Deerfield\, MA\, 01342\, United States
CATEGORIES:Climate Events,CISA Events,Farmer Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T190000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260508T164429Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T174557Z
UID:52238-1783962000-1783969200@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Preparing and planning for new & increased pest and disease risks in a warmer New England
DESCRIPTION:Location: Good Bunch Farm\, 221 N River Rd\, Shelburne Falls\, MA 01370 \nRegister here \nAs the number of growing days increases and temperature and precipitation extremes are more frequent\, producers are faced with more challenges related to pest and disease pressure. Existing pests and diseases are becoming more persistent\, and new threats are emerging due to weather variability. Farmers are also faced with crop loss\, reduced crop quality\, and increased costs due to more frequent applications of treatments or preventative controls.   \nIn this event\, the presenter will share a practical framework for assessing\, prioritizing\, and planning responses to farm risks\, using pest and disease pressure as an example in the context of a changing climate. The host farmer will then describe how these planning tools have informed decisions on the farm\, the new practices that have been implemented\, and lessons learned through on-farm experience. \nThe discussion and farm tour will be followed by some networking time and a light meal. \nPresenter:   \nStevie Schafenacker works with small food and farm businesses across New England\, helping clients with financial record-keeping\, grant writing\, budgeting\, and enterprise planning. Stevie integrates holistic decision-making and really likes talking to farmers about how to manage risk. Stevie previously worked at CISA\, where she excelled at creating engaging\, content-rich workshops geared to the needs of the target audience. \nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/preparing-and-planning-for-new-increased-pest-and-disease-risks-in-a-warmer-new-england/
LOCATION:Good Bunch Farm\, 221 N River Rd\, Shelburne Falls\, MA\, 01370\, United States
CATEGORIES:Climate Events,CISA Events,Farmer Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260817T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260817T180000
DTSTAMP:20260519T115014
CREATED:20260508T185442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T185553Z
UID:52250-1786982400-1786989600@www.buylocalfood.org
SUMMARY:Managing pasture and livestock watering for flooding\, drought and extreme heat events
DESCRIPTION:Location: Chase Hill Farm\, 74 Chase Hill Rd\, Warwick\, MA 01378 \nRegister here \nThis workshop will focus on livestock and pasture management in heat\, drought\, and flood\, including practices for managing and capturing water\, managing forage crops for water extremes\, and efficient methods of providing access to drinking water for livestock. The presenters work with American Farmland Trust’s Thriving Farms and Ranches Livestock Team and can provide risk assessment and planning tools for farms and help them access services from NRCS and will explain the process for accessing this support. Presenters and CISA staff will facilitate discussion of farm-specific challenges and potential solutions.  \nPresenters:   \nMax Breiteneicher is an Apprentice Farm Conservation Planner at American Farmland Trust\, serving on the Thriving Farms and Ranches Livestock Team. In this role\, he helps farmers prepare conservation plans for implementation on their farms and for eligibility to participate in USDA-NRCS programs. Max also owns and operates a grass-based cheesemaking farm in Cummington\, Massachusetts.    \nCaleb Smith is a Livestock and Agronomy Specialist at American Farmland Trust (AFT) and a commercial farmer. He was a professional dairyman for 13 years before joining AFT and continues to be a professional livestock producer on 350 acres. Caleb has had a career-long relationship with Vermont NRCS\, with vast experience using their conservation programs to improve the profitability and sustainability of his own farm. At AFT\, he works to help farmers maximize the profit and environmental potential of their NRCS contracts. \nThis work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2025-70027-45395\, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 
URL:https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/managing-pasture-and-livestock-watering-for-flooding-drought-and-extreme-heat-events/
LOCATION:Chase Hill Farm\, 74 Chase Hill Rd\, Warwick\, MA\, 01378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Climate Events,CISA Events,Farmer Events
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