Community Event

Join CISA and digital marketing expert, Michael Crigler, of Bueno Social for an in-person workshop exploring the graphic design thinking and guiding principles behind an effective farm website. Michael will discuss best practices and provide examples of website design that is visually appealing, engaging for customers, and drives farm sales. The workshop will include time for participants to consider changes to their own website and receive feedback from Michael and fellow farmers. Farmers will leave with a clearer plan to build from when speaking to a consultant to design or improve their site in the future. We’ll wrap up the event with a light dinner.

Fishing Partnership, certified by the MA Health Connector and MassHealth, helps farmers and fishermen navigate health insurance options. With unpredictable income, making health insurance decisions can feel overwhelming. This workshop will cover MA healthcare programs, eligibility, maximizing Advanced Premium Tax Credits, estimating variable income, and leveraging Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans to support retirement while managing net income and benefits. Discover practical strategies to leverage benefits for improved health and financial stability.

Managing investments in equipment, infrastructure, land, employee benefits, and personal health insurance and retirement can be challenging, especially when sales and net income fluctuates year to year. In this workshop, Jeff Cole from The Carrot Project will explore practical strategies to navigate these complexities and provide insights to help you determine the right time to take your business to the next level. 

Financial Wellness is the ability to have control over your budget, resources to absorb a financial shock, and be on track to reach your financial goals.
This presentation will provide farmers with an overview of saving, investing, retiring and estate planning. The goal is to demystify the world of financial planning to help you get started or make smarter financial decisions for the long-term.

Katherine understands that financial planning looks different for everyone, there’s not a one size fits all approach. As a farmer herself, she is uniquely positioned to present this information in a way that is relatable to farmers of all ages, income levels and areas of life.

As floods, droughts, and other impacts of the climate crisis continue to affect our Western Massachusetts communities, it is more important than ever to come together to build relationships with one another and create systems of support among farmers, climate activists, and the community at large. Please join us for an outdoor farmer and community bonfire gathering as we get to know one another and brainstorm how to support one another! Hot drinks and light snacks will be provided.

As a farmer, unpredictable income cycles and changing markets can make financial planning a challenge. Join Sean Reilly, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with GatherWealth Investment Management, for a workshop tailored to your needs. Learn how a CFP can complement your team, explore retirement savings options like Roth IRAs, SEPs, and 401(k)s, and discover strategies for setting financial goals, optimizing cash flow, and minimizing tax burdens and planning for estate taxes. Whether you’re just starting or refining your plan, this session offers practical tools to secure your financial future.

The Carrot Project's upcoming workshop: “Managing your Farm Finances in the Time of Climate Crisis: A proactive approach to tackling the everchanging environment and business climate” training is focused on producers who want to hone their financial management approach, through the lens of the challenging risks and financial cycles farmers currently face. With continued uncertainty surrounding weather damage and other stressors, it is crucial for NE producers to incorporate financial planning to improve their proactive risk management. The curriculum was developed with continual feedback from our farm clients.

In this half-day workshop, you’ll connect with farmers and others in our local food system to learn and practice effectively communicating about climate change with customers and your community. CISA staff, including climate coordinator Stephen Taranto and communications coordinator Jacob Nelson, will share examples of best practices and real world communications strategies from local farms. A facilitated group discussion will then help you apply principles in several practice scenarios, such as marketing farm products based on climate-smart farming practices, sharing your story with media or public officials, or explaining to customers how climate uncertainties impact your business to encourage support and action. Participants will leave with new communications resources, connections, and hopefully more confidence in speaking up! The last hour will be an optional lunch and time for casual conversation and networking.

Learn about rice farming opportunities for New York and the [...]

Overview: This two-part workshop, hosted virtually via Zoom, will provide information on what grant funding sources for farmers, how to interpret a grant application, and tips for developing a successful grant proposal.

Branding helps your customers understand who you are and what you do as soon as they see your logo and any of your printed or digital marketing assets. It helps you build a deeper connection with your customers and inspires new customers to get to know your farm and your products. Join CISA and Alessandra Corbett and Sara Esthus from The Homegrown Studio for an introductory workshop where you will learn to identify your key customer groups and what sets your business apart. Together, we will explore the look and feel that you would like your brand to have so your brand is truly authentic to your farm. This is an interactive workshop, and you will leave with a foundation to help strengthen your marketing strategy and inspire customers to invest in your business. Light dinner provided.

5 Successive Classes Will Cover: A soil plant model will be presented to describe a common language for discussing plant soil interactions
Minerals, biology, organic matter cycling, voltage and acidity
These principles will be used to evaluate the effects of human and natural interventions, mineral availability, pathogen and insect susceptibility
Sustainable, regenerative approaches for nurturing soils, plants, ourselves and the entire ecosystem

Influencing plants during specific phases of development

Each class will include an interactive zoom presentation, a demonstration making biological or mineral amendments using local ingredients, and plenty of time for conversation including your questions. Learn to nurture the entire ecosystem.

The 2nd annual Southeast New England Agriculture Conference and Trade [...]