Join Western Massachusetts Fibershed and CISA for a statewide, remote networking event aimed at fiber farmers, artisans, and other stakeholders in the fiber community. This space will allow participants to share the challenges they face working with fiber in Massachusetts and share new ideas and collaborative solutions. We will offer both full group and small […]
Make sure your farm stand and farmers’ market staff are ready to accept SNAP this summer by having them attend this SNAP employee training. Employees 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 […]
The last couple of years have brought about unprecedented shifts in consumer behavior because of COVID, supply chain issues, and inflation. How can farms, farmers’ markets, and other local food businesses shape their messaging to speak to current consumer concerns and needs? CISA conducted consumer surveys in 2020 and 2021, and we have been gathering additional research on consumer responses to changing circumstances. In this workshop, CISA Communications Manager Claire Morenon will share the messaging that we think resonates with consumers now, with time for discussion and brainstorming among attendees.
Tuesday June 13, 3:30-5pm Prospect Meadow Farm, 103A Prospect St, Hatfield, MA Register by June 6 here. Farming in the Valley takes a careful mix of planning, experimentation, hard work, and reflection. Join veteran farmer Dave Jackson for a tour of Prospect Meadow Farm to learn what you should be thinking about when it comes […]
Tuesday, June 20, 5-6:30pm Grow Food Northampton Tuesday Market, 1 Kirkland Ave, Northampton, MA Register by June 13 here. The way fresh produce is presented and arranged has a huge impact on market sales. How you engage with your customers plays a major role in whether your customers come back. Join this walkthrough tour of Grow Food […]
Tuesday June 27, 6:00-7:30pm Zoom (call-in info provided upon registration) Register by June 20 here. Do you want to start a food business, but need help choosing a legal business structure? There are many options available and every situation is unique. Hear from a panel of successful local food business owners about how their business […]
Warner Farm, a CSA and wholesale farm as well as the home of Mike’s Corn Maze, located in Sunderland, MA, has been developing its irrigation capacity since the late 1970s. The farm’s rich sandy loam has been growing fruit and vegetable crops for centuries and as a changing climate brings changing precipitation patterns to New England, Warner Farm is poised to respond effectively in times of drought.
Join CISA and Dave Wissemann of Warner Farm on July 13th at 4:00pm for an up close look at how they are optimizing their water resources and water distribution systems to ensure the sustainable production of crops throughout the season and in the face of increasingly uncertain growing conditions. The workshop includes a farm walk to see irrigation equipment and set up and a detailed explanation of how the farm’s systems are designed and maintained. Following the farm walk, join us for further discussion and some locally produced drinks and snacks.
Over the past several seasons, farmers at Sawyer have been experimenting with different ways to plant row crops into perennial white clover and reduce tillage using a series of innovative practices. Join Sawyer Farm's Lincoln Fishman for a close look at transplanter shoe adaptations designed to reduce soil disturbance and weed competition in perennial clover and cash crop production. Berkshire Conservation District will also display their no-till drill seeder, which is available for rentals and can be used for mixed or single species applications from clovers and orchard grass to rye and soybeans.
This in-person workshop will be followed with an on-farm networking opportunity. The workshop will take a close look at the system and the research underway with UMass through a SARE Partnership Grant, and is part of CISA's 2023 Adapt Your Farm to Climate Change Webinar and Workshop Series: On-farm Climate Change Adaptation Case Studies from western Massachusetts.