From: Allison <allison@buylocalfood.com>
To: williams@crocker.com
Subject: CISA's January E-Newsletter

CISA's January E-Newsletter
    
Jan. 2008
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Greetings!

Get Your Fix with Local Fibers
Are you a fiber fan? Do you know insatiable knitters, felters, and weavers? As winter progresses the knitting season hits full force, so why not go the extra mile (or go miles less) to get local fibers for your special projects? A range of local fibers are available for just about anything you have in mind. From alpaca to angora, from mohair to a wide-variety of sheep's wool, Pioneer Valley wool producers run the gamut. Not only are these wools local, but they are also very high quality. Many of our Local Hero fiber producers show their animals and products around the Northeast and have won an impressive list of awards in local, state, and regional competitions.

Fiber producers contribute a unique component to the rural character of western Massachusetts. Like all active farming, these ventures maintain farmland and help preserve our agricultural community in the Pioneer Valley. However, processing wool for sale is no easy task. It can be quite difficult given the lack of infrastructure support available to small-scale fiber producers.

Thanks to local consumer interest, and the high quality of their products, local wool is available in western Massachusetts through direct sales and at a handful of retailers. Barbara Parry of Foxfire Fiber and Design notes, "With the demand for my product reaching an all-time high this year, most of my sales are direct. My customers have a strong appreciation of the work that goes into producing high-quality fleeces, from pasture management, to jacketing each animal in a protective coat designed to keep its fleece clean."

Local fiber is available at Metaphor Yarns in Shelburne Falls, Northampton Wools in Northampton, New England Felting Supply in Easthampton, and Elmer's Store in Ashfield. Fiber can also be purchased directly from the farms online or at farmstands, but be sure to call ahead for availability.

Many of the farms also offer open studio days and workshops on a variety of topics like dying, spinning, and weaving. For information about fiber events throughout the year, visit CISA's events page or contact the farms directly. Find the fiber you are looking for through our searchable online Farm Products Guide. Search for wool, yarn, or by animal to find local producers.

CISA Welcomes New Board Member
Ann Hallstein has joined the CISA Board of Directors. Ann will complete the term of Barbara Greenstein, who passed away in early November. Ann has been a CISA volunteer for several years, and has worked most notably on CISA's Development Committee where she raised money for the Senior FarmShare Program through local churches. Ann lives in Easthampton on Echodale Farm, which was recently conserved with the help of the Trust for Public Land and the Pascommuck Conservation Trust. Ann is the minister of the First Church of Deerfield, and ordained in the United Church of Christ. She is also a writer, with a recently published book, Uncommon Gifts, about people from the Valley and how they use their gifts in their work life. She grew up outside Cleveland, Ohio, and lived for a number of years in Washington, D.C., where she worked at the Library of Congress, and moved to western Massachusetts in 1985. Ann is looking forward to serving CISA in this new capacity.

Local Hero Enrollment 2008
Enrollment in CISA's Local Hero Program began January 1, 2008-marking the start of the Program's 10th season. Take charge this year and encourage your favorite local farms, restaurants and retailers to join the program. Local Hero membership is available to farms, restaurants and caterers, grocery stores, institutions and schools and other local businesses that buy or sell locally grown farm products. Members are welcome from Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden Counties as well as western Worcester County. To receive an enrollment packet or find out about qualifications, call Tracie Butler-Kurth in the CISA office at 413-665-7100, ext. 12.

CISA Announces Job Opening
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture is hiring a Local Hero Member Services Coordinator to manage CISA's Local Hero program. This person will be responsible for planning and delivering benefits to Local Hero members and coordinating CISA's technical assistance offerings. This is a full-time, salaried position based in South Deerfield, Mass. Please visit our Web site for a complete posting. Applications are due January 22nd.

Successful Retail Entrepreneur Joins CISA
CISA has hired Mike McCusker to offer free technical assistance to Local Hero and Buy CT Grown members.

Mike is most well-known in the region for McCusker's Market, which he founded in 1977 in an attempt to reconnect with his community in Shelburne Falls. In business for over thirty years, the market has become a community institution. Now that Mike has turned the business over to the hands of the community- literally, to Local Hero member Green Field's Market Co-op- he would like to utilize his skills by engaging local businesses in discussions of merchandizing and brokering.

Through CISA and Connecticut partner City Seed of New Haven, Mike will work one-on- one with retailers, farmstands, and farmers' market vendors to effectively use proven practices and tools for promoting sales of local agricultural products. In addition to his merchandizing work, Mike will be available to aid members in finding and buying local agricultural products for their stores or restaurants. Likewise, he will work with farm members to help them successfully approach new retail, restaurant, or institutional members as outlets for their goods.

Mike is a graduate of Connecticut's Farmington HS, Northwestern CT Community College and UMASS. He also spent years working with Hartford County and Massachusetts 4- H. He is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with Local Hero members and agricultural businesses in his home state.

You did it!
Thank you to everyone who responded to our December e-mail solicitation. Although we won't have final results for a few more days, we do know that we met our goal of raising $30,000 by the end of 2007. A special thank you to all who made their first gift to CISA as your gift helped us capitalize on a $5,000 challenge from an anonymous donor. We raised over $6,000 in new gifts during the final weeks of the year. If you missed the opportunity to give in 2007, but would like to financially support the mission of CISA, you can make an online gift by clicking here.

Ready for a Change?
Has your Local Hero bumper sticker seen better days? We'll gladly send you a new one so you can keep spreading the word that local is better. Just e-mail Tracie Butler- Kurth to request a new bumper sticker. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number.
Volunteer with Nuestras Raíces
Nuestras Raíces is starting the new year with an exciting project. Chicopee Comp High School donated a huge (40' x 80'), state-of-the-art greenhouse to the Holyoke-based agriculture organization. Nuestras Raíces will manage the greenhouse in partnership with Dean Technical High School's School to Career Program (just down the street from the farm). Many thanks to Norm LeBlanc, Dean Tech Culinary Instructor, for making this possible!

The challenge? Nuestras Raíces has to dismantle the greenhouse by the end of January. That's right, they have ONE MONTH to take it down and bring the pieces to the farm for storage (putting it back up will be another project for warmer weather). A series of work days is being organized to take the greenhouse and bring it over to the farm. People of all skill levels are welcome, though of course carpenters, electricians, and plumbers are especially welcome. The work days are January 10-12 and 17-19 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) from 9 am to 5 pm. An additional week may be added if weather or other challenges arise.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Eric Toensmeier, Farm Project Director, at (413) 531-2767. Volunteers should bring VERY warm clothes, as most of the work will be outside. Hand tools and electric crewguns are also welcome. Your help will make this fantastic resource available to the farmers, youth, and businesses located at Nuestras Raíces' farm site.

LH Wood Producer Receives National Award
Cinda Jones, a ninth generation co-owner/operator of Cowls Tree Farms, received the 2007 Outstanding Achievements in Sustainable Forestry Award, which is given annually by BASF Professional Vegetation Management and the American Forest Foundation. Cinda was presented the award on October 11 during the American Tree Farm System® national conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

Leon Ripley Wins Mass Farm Bureau Award
Each year the Massachusetts Farm Bureau recognizes one of its active members for the John Ogonowski Award. This year the award went to Local Hero member Leon Ripley of Maple Corner Farm. Leon has held several positions of leadership at the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and currently serves as a Director and County President in Hampden County. The award is designed to recognize members for their distinguished service to the Farm Bureau and the agricultural community at large.

Australis Wins Sustainability Award
Local Hero member Australis, an aquaculture business, has been recognized by the 7th Annual Australian Sustainability Awards for its work in sustainably raising barramundi- Australia's premier fish. Australis received the "Special Award for Environment" and was a finalist in the Sustainable Small Business category. Australis opened for business in 2004 and is located in Turners Falls, Mass.

Possible Farmers' Market Seeking Vendors
The Jewish Community Center in Springfield, MA is looking into creating a small farmers' market. No stall fees are anticipated. The market would be held weekly on Fridays. Interested farms should contact Belle Rita Novak at 413-737-1724.
Public Meeting with New Commissioner of Agriculture
The general public is invited to attend a forum on agricultural policy and land use issues led by recently appointed Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Petersen on Saturday, February 2nd from 10:00am-Noon at the South Deerfield Fire Station. The fire station is located on Route 5 & 10, just north of Yankee Candle. Commissioner Petersen is coming to Franklin County at the invitation of Senator Stan Rosenberg and Representative Steve Kulik. For more information, please contact Rep. Kulik's district office at (413) 665-7200.


Winter Fare
Eating locally grown food is easy in August when area farmstands are overflowing and a Free Harvest Supper is served on the Greenfield Town Common. But what's possible in the middle of winter? "Lots!" according to Juanita Nelson of Deerfield. She and some friends want everyone to eat locally year-round, so they are planning a week of Winter Fare, starting with an indoor farmers' market in Greenfield on Groundhog Day, February 2, 2008. The farmers' market will feature locally grown food including vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, meat, honey, and maple syrup as well as workshops and informational displays about how to eat locally year- round. There will also be a 'barter mart' section of the market for individuals to bring their own surplus of homemade products- jams, jellies, pesto, etc.-to swap with one another.

Scheduled halfway between the first day of winter and the start of spring, Winter Fare will also include a week of meals featuring local foods, whether they are gatherings of friends or church-sponsored local food potlucks or special menus served at area restaurants. The Winter Fare organizers hope that their efforts will encourage everyone to include more local foods in their everyday life, whatever the season. Eating locally has many benefits, including saving energy, slowing global climate change, providing living incomes for area farmers, attracting new farmers to the area, and freeing far-away farms to grow food for their local residents instead of consumers in other countries.

For more information about the Winter Fare market or sponsoring a Winter Fare meal, please visit their Web site.

Resolutely Local
An increasing number of Valley residents are making a dedicated effort to buy locally, so why not make it your New Year's Resolution? Of course, the trouble with resolutions is never with making them--it is with keeping them. So here are a few tips for sustaining your local buying goals.
  • Make clear and measurable goals. For example: I will buy $10 worth of local produce per week. Or, I will buy all dairy products from local sources. Be sure that your goals are feasible for your situation in the long term.
  • Don't drive yourself to frustration keeping your word. The point of eating locally isn't to fuss over the details, it is to enjoy and celebrate the local abundance.
  • Use CISA's Farm Products Guide to find sources of ingredients. The Farm Products Guide (online at www.buylocalfood.com) lists all Local Hero farms and is searchable by product. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you get overwhelmed. CISA is here to help.

Looking for Local Miso Ingredients
South River Miso is looking to purchase locally grown rice, millet, barley, chickpeas, azukis, and yellow and black soybeans for the miso they produce in Conway, Mass. Anyone interested in exploring this opportunity should contact Robin Cole, general manager at 413-369-4057.

January 16, 17, 18, 22 & 23
7th Annual NOFA 5-Day Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care
NOFA's Organic Land Care Course will be held at the Doyle Conservation Center at 464 Abbott St. in Leominster, MA. Intensive course (accreditation optional) trains professionals to practice organic land care. Recommended for landscapers, designers, municipal and parks employees, horticulturists, etc. Handicapped-accessible. Visit www.organiclandcare.net for more information or contact Kathy Litchfield at (978) 724-0108.

Saturday, January 19
21st NOFA/Mass Annual Winter Conference
The conference will be held at Bancroft School at Shore Drive in Worcester, Mass.. Special address and workshop session with Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Petersen who will host a question and answer forum on your ideas and concerns about the future of Massachusetts agriculture. Keynote Address by Elizabeth Henderson author of "Sharing the Harvest: A Guide to Community Supported Agriculture". Enjoy some of the 45 workshops on crop production, livestock, land care, farm management, cooking, homesteading and social action. Our famous potluck lunch and teacup raffle, a great children's program and vibrant exhibit area round out the day! For complete information and to register online visit our Web site or contact jassy.bratko@nofamass.org.

Wednesday, January 23
Winter Lawn Care Conference
The Winter Lawn Care Conference is an annual event co- sponsored by UMass Extension and the Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals (MALCP). The 2008 edition is scheduled for January 23, 2008 (snow date January 24) at the Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, Mass.

This event is an excellent opportunity for professionals who work in the landscape and lawn care industries to attend an educational session during the off-season. Who should attend the 2008 Winter Lawn Care Conference? Lawn, landscape, municipal and sports turf professionals and associated staff. Business owners and managers who want to learn from the best of their colleagues and make their businesses thrive. Anyone interested in ecologically sound, economically feasible turf management.

Pesticide re-certification and professional certification contact hours will be available. For complete program details and online registration, visit our Web site.

Saturday, February 2
Winter Fare
10am-2pm, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 (Groundhog Day). Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, Greenfield Mass.

Saturday, February 2
Meeting with New Commissioner of Agriculture
Newly appointed Rep. Doug Petersen will be visiting the Pioneer Valley on February 2nd for the first time in his role as Commissioner of Agriculture. Representative Petersen will be speaking at a public meeting at the South Deerfield Fire Station from 10:00am-Noon. For more information, please contact Rep. Kulik's district office at (413) 665-7200.

Saturdays, Weekly
Enterprise Farm Winter Market
Enjoy a variety of local produce at a Winter Farmers' Market every Saturday from December through March at Enterprise Farm in South Deerfield. The market is open from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.. For more information call (413) 320- 6652.
Job Opening: Director of Health Education for the Holyoke Public Schools. This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person to make a huge impact on the what/why/how health education is taught throughout the system, grades K-12. The job description can be found at our Web site, along with directions on how to complete an online application.

Job Opening: River Valley Market Coop is now accepting applications for approximately seventy positions. Positions include, but are not limited to, Human Resources Manager, Prepared Foods Manger, Meat Department Manager, Produce Department Manager, and Operations Manager. For detailed job descriptions, please visit their Web site.

Job Opening: Red Fire Farm, an established certified organic produce farm, the largest CSA serving the Boston area and the Pioneer Valley, and a provider in local wholesale and retail markets, has several openings including a year- round Assistant Farm Manager, vegetable growers, apprenticeships, and a chef/food educator. Positions may include housing. Detailed job descriptions can be found at our Web site. To apply, contact Ryan or Sarah at 413-467-7645, redfirefarm@gmail.com.

Job Opening: Opportunity to Apprentice 2-acre Organic Farm/Garden in Whately. Learning includes timing for successional plantings, weeding, and harvesting; soil maintenence; pest management; winter storage. 2-3 days/week negotiable. Learn, help and share in the harvest. Contact Bill Hewitt at 413-665-3508 (home) or 413-527-5973 (work).

Job Opening: Part-time Bookkeeper/ Office Manager 10-15 hours/ week bookkeeping at The Farm School in Athol, MA. The Farm School is an educational farm delivering hands on programming to children and adults in the craft of farming. Contact Jennifer Core, Associate Director at 978.249.2656.

Job Opening: Coordinator sought for newly forming non-profit Boston Area Gleaners. Ongoing for the last three years, harvesting some 564 boxes of produce (over 10,000 pounds) for charity, mostly going to Food For Free, a Cambridge food pantry that delivers. Low stipend and possible lodging. Contacting farmers, gleaning the produce and fund raising (administration) involved. E-mail Oakes Plimpton for further information.

Volunteer needed: Go to Palestine and help with the olive harvest next year, 2008. The season usually starts in mid-October and lasts about 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the harvest. Next year is expected to yield a bumper crop. Anyone who is interested can contact sherif2@comcast.net. (617) 491-2313 home, (703) 622- 9151 mobile.

Wanted: Ashfield/Conway House to Rent. With gardening space, fireplace, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, 1-year lease with option to extend. We are a married couple, nonsmoking, no animals, no children, flexible start April - July 08. Linda Farmer/Kim Matland 413.244.8314.

Wanted: Ashfield/Conway Farmland to Buy. A portion with southerly exposure and a good solar window to build/renovate a passive solar house and an herb garden. Favorable leaseback for farming. Linda Farmer/Kim Matland 413.244.8314.

Wanted: Farmland. Farm couple with 20 years combined experience seeks 30-50 acre farm for sale in Franklin or Hampshire county for a start-up organic vegetable operation. Please contact Elise at (413) 522-9122.

Wanted: Used small farm/market garden tools, equipment, and supplies. Please call Rachel at 413-268-7548.

Wanted: Farmland. 10 acres+ sought by farmer interested in raising sheep. Prefers the Colrain, Shelburne, Buckland area. Contact Ginger Wall.

For Rent: 15 organic acres in Buckland close to Shelburne Falls. Large barn available. Owner will help skilled operator with start up expenses. Water available. Very low rent/barter possible. Call Michael 413 625-8300.

For Rent: Charlemont farmhouse with up to 10 acres tillable land. Excellent soils. 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath, large garage and barn space. Perfect for small farm operation with opportunity for farm stand. Rent negotiable. Please call 413-834-8873.

For Rent: Lovely non-toxic South Hadley riverfront home. Share with (mostly) absentee owner with chemical sensitivities. Lovely "green" S. Hadley home on the CT River. Private, natural setting: woods, organic garden, birds, views. Share with (mostly) absentee owner with chemical sensitivities. 2 bedrooms (3rd bedroom & 2nd bath in separate wing for my occasional use.) Available ONLY to clean, responsible person or couple who live 100% without fragrances, pesticides, smoke and synthetic chemicals and who will care for house in my absence. Lease until April 2008 or longer. Rent $1000/month for one, $1200 for two, plus utilities; deductions for extra maintenance/caretaking. References, usual deposits required. Pictures online. Call Karen at 413-536-8059 before 8 P.M., please.

For Rent: Pasture available in North Amherst. Approximately 5 acres of pasture available (has been idle for 4 years) with access to brook. Needs new fencing. Willing to trade rent for fence installation. (sheep? goats? cows?) All considered. Joe or Sarah (413) 230-3137.

For Rent: Farm/pasture land in Southampton is available for lease. Approximately 12 acres. Contact Susan at 413-527-2230.

For Sale: Grass-Fed Lamb. A limited supply of lamb available just in time for winter recipes. Our lamb is naturally raised on pasture on our farm in Shelburne. The cuts (roasts, some chops and ground) are frozen and freezer wrapped and available for purchase at the farm. Please call ahead to reserve. Contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413.625.6121 or email Barb.

For Sale: Fiber Flock. We have a lovely group of Border Leicester and Leicester cross ewe lambs and yearlings for sale, perfect for anyone wishing to establish a flock for fiber production and for meat. We have bred selectively for quality wool and a healthy flock. Our Border Leicester fleeces have taken blue ribbons and Champion awards in competition. Serious inquiries only, please. Please contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413.625.6121 or email Barb.

For Sale: Chest Freezers. One 15 c. foot and one 21 c. foot. Both in almost new condition. Anyone interested in these item should contact Springdelle Farm in Shelburne, Mass., at 413.625.6121.

For Sale: Roto-tiller, Howard HR7 Rotovator. Working width is 60 inches and works with a 20 HP tractor or greater 3 point hitch and PTO. In good condition. Price reduced. now asking $750. Call Dick Starkey, 413-774-4215

For Sale: Small Farm for sale. This lovingly cared for 4 bedroom antique Colonial is rumored to be one of the oldest homes on Main Street in Northfield. This property has so much to offer- Attached studio with loft, 2 Sterns built P&B barns, greenhouse, farm stand, large 4 acre tillable lot for gardening, and there is even a 2,000 sq. ft. space that in the past has been a restaurant with a separate heating system, but now awaits your plans. Phone Poppi Kelly @ 413-498-2456 or 413-230- 8337.

For Sale: Mobile Dimension Saw, Model 127, 1700 cc engine, on trailer, in good condition. Cuts accurately any diameter log, producing lumber from 1/4" x 2" to 8 1/4" x 12 1/4". 24 foot track. Includes single edger saw blade for larger lumber, split edger saw blade to cut 2 boards with 1 pass, 3 ft. end stands and various parts. Asking $8,000. (413)238- 5827.

For Sale: Hitachi F-1000A in pristine condition, 12" planer, 6" long bed joiner. Heavy cast iron construction on movable stand. Asking $2,100. (413)238-5827.

For Sale: Kifco Water-Reel B210 with 320' of 2.1" hose, Mercury 202 gun with several nozzles, expandable high mount gun cart and offset 3pt hitch attachment. Excellent condition. $4600 Three-inch layflat hose, 759' of assorted lengths with camlock fittings. Excellent condition. $1500. Contact Eileen, Ol'Turtle Farm at 413-527-9122.

For Sale: Howard HR7. Working width is 60 inches and works with a 20 HP tractor or greater, 3 point hitch and PTO. In good condition. Asking $950. Call Dick Starkey, 413-774-4215.

For Sale: Large classic colonial farmhouse with wrap-around porch, barn garage, building previously used for retail on two-plus acres in a very quiet setting on a country back road. More land available for rental with purchase of house. Or choose to purchase entire 20-acre property with with fenced pastures, hay fields, prime farmland for crops, and river frontage. West Northfield, MA or email Geri J at 413-863-9763 ext 20.

For Sale: Goats. Contact Evelyn Hatch at Breezy Acres Farm 413-467-3276.

For Sale: Farm team draft horses; horse- drawn farm equipment including corn planter, cultivator, plow, harrows, mowing machine, tedder, rake, manure spreader, fertilizer spreader, baler, wagons and more. Chee Chee Mamook Farm. 413- 498-2160.

For Sale: Purebred Finn ram & wether lambs for sale. Gentle, prolific & really nice fleece. Contact Sangha Farm for more information 413.628.0026 or www.sanghafarm.com.

For Sale: Tractor items. A/C Pick Up Plow - one furrow - 2 way. Will fit Allis-Chalmers Model "B" & "C" tractors. Also A/C Tractor Mowing Attachment (side bar mower). Fits both "B" & "C" models. Complete with manuals. Both is good condition. For further information contact Terry Grinnan, prop Saw Mill Site Farm Horseradish Products, 287 Conway Road, So. Deerfield, MA 01373. 413-665- 3005 or www.horseradishdirect.com.



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CISA | 1 Sugarloaf Street | South Deerfield | MA | 01373