CISA offers a wide range of programs to help local farmers and other CISA members build their businesses. Technical assistance is provided through special programs, workshops, one-on-one training sessions, farm visits, and referrals. Our upcoming workshops are listed belowand can be found on our Events and Education page with a range of additional educational opportunities throughout the year. 

Using Quickbooks to Manage Your Business
Monday, September 20, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Greenfield Community College
Debbe Dugan of Simply Computing in Turners Falls has been providing software support to small businesses for over 10 years. She will give you a brief guided look at ways to manage your accounts payable and accounts receivable so that you can create a profit and loss report that gives you a snapshot of your business at any given time. This hands-on workshop will show trends in income and expenses to help you make better informed business decisions. Class size limited to 16. $10 for Local Hero members, $15 for non-members. Dinner is included. Contact Devon at 665-7100 x22 or devon@buylocalfood.org.

Energy Efficiencies for Greenhouses
Wednesday, September 29, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Pioneer Gardens, 198 Mill Village Road in Deerfield
Are you looking to save money and fuel for your extended growing season by improving the energy efficiency of your greenhouse? The MA Farm Energy Program will share how Pioneer Gardens upgraded their greenhouses, the savings they achieved, and the funding resources currently available. John Bartok, a regional expert on greenhouse efficiency, will lead the discussion and share information. Suggested donation $5. You must RSVP by Friday, September 24th to Devon at 665-7100 x22 or devon@buylocalfood.org.

Farmer Mentor Program

Need a mentor? Want to be a mentor?

CISA has developed a list of farmers and other types of experts that are interested in working one-on-one to share their expertise with farmers. We have some funding to support these mentoring sessions, so if you are looking for guidance in a particular area, contact Devon at 413-665-7100 or devon@buylocalfood.org. We are still adding mentors to the list, so if you have a particular area of expertise that you would be willing to share with other farmers, please let Devon know.

CISA's technical assistance workshops are supported in part by USDA/Risk Management Agency, USDA/Rural Development, USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service and by individual contributors and Local Hero members. Financial Management workshops are based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2007-49200-03888.