Business Assistance

CISA provides numerous opportunities for farmers to grow their business and agricultural knowledge. We provide in-house assistance, as well as referrals and funding to meet one-on-one with outside professionals with a wide variety of expertise.

Below are some of the areas in which we may be able to assist you. If you have a need in one of these areas – or have an idea that’s not listed here – please contact us. Fill out our Online Request Form to let us know what type of assistance you’re looking for, or call us at 413-665-7100 with any questions.

In many cases, we are able to offer farms free or low-cost business assistance. See more details below on some of our current funding opportunities for business assistance.

Our work is focused on supporting farms in Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Counties, MA and adjacent towns. We usually can’t provide significant support to farms outside of this region, but all are welcome to get in touch, and we’ll always do our best to share our knowledge, referrals, and/or recommendations.

Current Funding Opportunities

CISA’s business assistance is made possible through private and public grants, which cover CISA staff time and outside consultant/mentor fees. Depending on the type of assistance you need, we may have funding to cover part or all of the cost of the assistance.

Requests for business assistance funding are considered on a rolling basis until funding runs out or until the deadlines below. When we have limited funds, decisions are made based on individual needs and funding priorities. See below for more information on our current funding opportunities.

General Farm Business Support

CISA frequently has funding available to help cover the costs of one-on-one business support for farms seeking consultations, technical assistance or mentorship to improve current business practices and/or farm viability. Funding will cover support in a wide range of business assistance topics. We encourage anyone to apply who would benefit from outside expertise to establish clarity and/or gain tools for sound business decision making. The funding available for business support varies by project, need, and funding source, but is typically between $200 and $2000. Requests for support are accepted on a rolling basis.

Climate Change Adaptation Support

CISA offers climate change adaptation and mitigation technical support to help farms and farm-related businesses implement or expand practices that foster adaptation to climate change and contribute to the resilience of the local food system. We can provide direct technical assistance or help you find the assistance you need. The types of technical assistance we provide include consultations with experts, project design and planning, grant and project proposal review, and general advice and mentorship from CISA’s in house technical assistance providers and other farmers.

Farms and farm businesses interested in improving and/or implementing climate change adaptation practices are welcome to contact Stephen Taranto, Climate Program Coordinator, at stephen@buylocalfood.org and 413-665-7100, ext. 17.

Employee Management Support

Funding is available to support farmers in developing employee policies or employee manuals, understanding employment laws, providing anti-discrimination/harassment training to managers or workers, standardizing employee benefits, improving workplace communication, and in many other areas of employee management.

Funding varies by project, need, and funding source. Up to five hours of individualized CISA staff support is available per farm, and funding may also be available to cover support from outside professionals, such as fees for attorney review of employee manuals, consultations with professionals at the Employers Association of the NorthEast, and work with a wide range of other professionals.

Requests are accepted on a rolling basis, and farms interested in getting employee management support are welcome to contact Kristen Wilmer, CISA Program Manager, to discuss their needs at kristen@buylocalfood.org or 413-665-7100, ext. 12.

Click here to fill out the online request form

Or call our office at 413-665-7100 with any questions.

General Business Assistance Topics:

Labor Laws & Management • Employee Training • Employee Manuals & Policies • Food Safety Compliance • Sustainable Farming Practices • Marketing, Branding and Online Content • Merchandising • Business Planning • Financial Recordkeeping • Financial Analysis and Planning • Grants & Financing • Land Access and Leasing • Value-Added Products • Farmers’ Market Support • SNAP & HIP Support

Resources for Farmers