CISA Workshops for Businesses

Get tips on marketing your value-added product and refining your business model to meet your long-term goals. A panel of producers -- including Abe Hunrichs of Hosta Hill, Nicole Blum of Carr's Ciderhouse, and Jessica Tudryn Wisniewski of Relish the Harvest -- will share how they branded their products, evaluated and developed markets, set goals, arrived at their current marketing plan, and faced challenges and successes along the way.

The snow is melting and CISA invites you to come make fresh connections and build new relationships. This networking event is all about showing off your goods and offering prepared samples of your products — anything from meats and cheeses to spreads, beverages, and sliced produce. Buyers, bring your shopping list! Each attendee will have […]

This training is for fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule. Participants will learn about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and how these requirements will be enforced in MA through MDAR’s Commonwealth […]

CISA, in partnership with the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), is hosting a SNAP retailer sign-up day to get you ready to accept SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) at your farm stand, farmers' market booth, and through your CSA program. USDA, DTA and MDAR staff will be […]

Let’s make your farm business more profitable by maximizing the yield of your carcass through smart processing choices. While acknowledging the challenges and limitations to meat processing, there are still creative ways to meet market demand, get customers excited about unique cuts, and get the best value out of your animal. In this workshop we […]

This workshop is SOLD OUT!   Join 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 […]