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.

Meat marketing ideas to start your year! Join BAV and [...]

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.

Join CISA for a panel and discussion where farmers will share pro tips on social media, moderated by Jen Smith, Local Hero Program Manager. Farmer guest speakers Leslie Harris, Farm Manager, and Alexxis Wright, Events Manager, both from Quonquont Farm in Whately, MA and Rebecca Sadlowski, Farm Manager of Rooted Flowers in Agawam, MA, will discuss how they use social media to showcase their products, offer behind-the-scenes views of their farm and crew, educate their customers, and even catch people’s eye with wildlife-cam footage. Participants will come away with ideas for how to use social media to strengthen customers’ sense of connection to their farm. Light dinner provided.

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.

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.