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It's harvest season!
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Jason Threlfall photo
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We're really in the swing of things now: tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and raspberries are all in season ... and of course there's plenty of local meat for grilling, local honey and maple to sweeten your treats, and so much more.
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Candidate Forum Series: Food Justice and Health Equity
July 12: 1st Franklin District
July 25: 1st Hampshire District
August 14th: Hampshire-Franklin-Worcester Senate
Join the candidates for state legislative seats for a series of open discussions on our region's food insecurity and its underlying causes.This is your opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and learn how they intend to ensure everyone has access to healthy food. CISA is proud to co-sponsor these forums coordinated by The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
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Dairy farms are productive, vital, and struggling
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Bar-Way Farm, Deerfield
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"(The falling number of dairy farms) is a profound loss that can't be understood only by the numbers: it's the loss of centuries of farming tradition and knowledge, of farmland and open space, and of an industry that has been the backbone of agriculture in our region. It's a deeply personal tragedy to the farm families who work hard every day, produce tons of high-quality milk, and are still faced with an impossible financial calculation."
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Local Hero Profile: FoodLove!
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| ![](https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif) | Elizabeth Solaka photo |
"I see food as the ultimate gateway and connection to heritage, to geography, to family, and to each other," says Tonianne Paquette of FoodLove!, an in-home cooking and education business she created to help people feel good about the food they eat. "I really wanted to promote the connections that I feel through food, and I needed to find my own way of doing that."
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Farmers' market regular or not, we want your thoughts!
CISA is working with regional partners to gather thoughts directly from shoppers about how and why you choose to shop for local food. Please give a few minutes to fill out this survey, and share it with friends!
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Action alert: immigrant protections in the state budget
Immigrants are part of our community and make vital contributions to our local food system. Contact your legislators today to ensure that protections for immigrant families are included in the final state budget.
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| ![](https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif) | Valley View Farm |
Save the date for Taste the View
We're already looking forward to our annual harvest celebration and fundraiser, Taste the View! Save the date: this year's party will be held on Thursday, September 20th at Valley View Farm in Haydenville, a new-to-us location!
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Job Opening: Local Hero Program Associate
CISA seeks a part-time Local hero Program Associate, who will coordinate activities related to enrollment, promotion, maintenance of Local Hero member relationships, and assist with planning logistics for technical assistance workshops. Review begins July 16th.
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Limited edition CISA t-shirts
Now available: a brand new, super cute, super limited edition CISA t-shirt designed by local artist Catherine Weiss. This is the first in a seasonal series we're releasing in honor of CISA's 25th anniversary -- get yours today!
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Quick Links
Check out our press page for news stories about local farms and local agriculture, along with our weekly interview series on WRSI, monthly column in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and more! Go to press pageFarm tours, film screenings, workshops, special local meals -- there's always something happening in the Valley! Go to events listingJob opportunities, land, equipment. Go to classifieds
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Please do not take images or content to use on your own site or project without CISA's explicit permission. Please feel free to link to our newsletter. Archives can be found at buylocalfood.org.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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