Infrastructure

As demand grows for local farm products, CISA is connecting the dots between farm fields and kitchen tables, workplace dining rooms, and grocery store shelves. We're working with partners to improve local infrastructure and address critical gaps in the systems and facilities needed to get agricultural products to new markets.

Why? So that local products can reach more markets and more buyers.

Since 2007, we've worked with growers, business owners, and buyers interested in ready-to-eat salad greens, dairy products, meat, and winter storage crops. Our work on these projects has included assessing equipment costs and financing options, understanding shifting regulatory environments, navigating community response, and looking closely at interwoven requirements related to production and scale.

CISA acts as a convener, facilitator, and researcher to help farmers, for-profits, and public and private funders gain knowledge of the value of investing in food systems infrastructure. We also provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs making decisions about agricultural infrastructure investments.

For more information on CISA's infrastructure initiatives, or to get involved, please contact Margaret Christie, Special Projects Director, at (413) 665-7100.