Community Spotlight: CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture)

Meet our March 2024 Community Spotlight organization. CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy. CISA has been working for over 30 years to build a stronger, more resilient, and more just local food system. They envision a local food system where farms are viable, working conditions are fair and just for owners and workers, the environment is respected, and locally grown food is available for all.

Note: On March 30th, Sanctuary will host a free yoga class—led by Sanctuary yoga instructors—and networking hour for farmers. The event is free and open to all farm owners and farm workers. CISA staff will be on site to answer questions about their services.

We spoke with Kate Hennessey, CISA’s Development Coordinator, about the organization’s mission and impact throughout the Connecticut River Valley.

Blossoming Acres Farm Worker

When was your organization founded, and for what purpose was it established?

CISA was founded in 1993 to strengthen farms and engage the community to build the local food economy. More than 400 farms, food businesses, and food producers participate in our programs. Our "Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown" program is the longest-running agricultural buy-local campaign in the country. We work to connect farmers and the community, improving farm business viability and enhancing the quality of life for residents across Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties. In addition to our Local Hero program, CISA works with local farms to provide low-income seniors with a vegetable and fruit share at a discounted rate. CISA also advocates to expand SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) and the Healthy Incentives Program so that everyone in our community has access to the abundance of locally grown food in our region.

How would you describe the impact of your organization’s work? 

More than 400 local farms, food businesses, and producers participate in our Local Hero program. We provide them with business support with workshops, one to one mentoring and consulting, and peer networking.

Good Bunch Farm Owner Daniel Greene (Photo Credit: Stephanie Craig Photography)

“My family believes strongly in giving back and service to society. CISA was one of the main organizations that assisted us when we decided to venture into farming in Massachusetts. The staff were so helpful, and it was clear to me that they also have an intrinsic motivation to serve and help farmers.” -Hameed Bellow, Owner of Agric Organics Farm in Wilbraham

CISA's Senior FarmShare program subsidizes summer CSAs for low-income seniors, providing them with 10 weeks of local healthy produce. In 2023, we provided 700 seniors in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties with farm shares from one of 15 farm partners. Most seniors that participate in Senior FarmShare report that it has a significant impact in improving their overall diet.

“Because of CISA’s Senior FarmShare program, I was able to cook amazing meals for my dad. That’s what kept him alive – organic healthy food. I’ve seen how important it is for our senior humans to eat real, fresh produce. You have no idea how it enhances their wellbeing and brain function.” -Debi, Caretaker & Senior Farm Share Advocate

CISA created the Emergency Farm Fund in 2011 in response to the damage suffered by farms in western Massachusetts due to Hurricane Irene. The Emergency Farm Fund offers zero-interest loans to assist farmers and farm businesses struggling to meet their immediate needs in the aftermath of severe weather events and other emergencies. This year, with help from our community, the fund made $215,000 to nine farms to help them stay in business. Currently, our technical assistance team is helping 17 farms with a wide array of issues, including farm profitability, labor costs, product labeling, marketing, food safety, land use planning, and applying to be SNAP and HIP vendors.

Reed Farm Owner Kat Chang Laznicka (Photo Credit: Stephanie Craig Photography)

What program or project are you most excited about developing/expanding over the coming years, and why?

CISA launched their Growing Resilience Campaign in the fall of 2023 to keep farmers farming, expand access to local food, deepen equity and diversity, and enlist community support to advocate for local farms in public policy. Over the next six years, CISA will strive to ensure that:

• People who are farming continue to farm and have the resources and know-how to adapt to a changing climate;

• Beginning farmers, especially farmers of color, can access land and critical resources and build successful enterprises;

• Government policies support family farms and local food access.

Joanie with her cow and calf at Walker Farms in Whortleberry Hill

CISA is also excited to expand our Senior FarmShare program to 1,000 members by 2030 so that even more people can access the local harvest.

What is one simple thing an individual can start doing that could make a difference in the lives of those you serve?

Buy from your local farm, consider signing up for CSA share from a local farm, and shop at your local farmers market!

If folks would like to get involved as a volunteer, donor, or benefactor, where should they go to learn more about your organization?

For more information about how to get involved as a member, donor, or volunteer, check out our website.