CISA

09/01/2026

It’s time for Fair Season! 🎢
Take your family or friends and visit one of the upcoming fairs in the region.

💭 Did you know that the Three County Fair in Northampton is the oldest and longest running fair in America? Visit the fair THIS WEEKEND! September 4th thru 7th. Check out an agricultural exhibit, enjoy fair food, and be sure to say hi to Local Hero member Kushi Farm and The North Hadley Chili Pepper Company! 🌶

The Franklin County Fairgrounds, Greenfield, Ma is kicking off the Franklin County Fair on September 10th, running through the 13th. Witness the work of draft horses and oxen pulls as you enjoy eating fried dough from Hager's Farm Market! 😋

Down in West Springfield, The Big E is taking place this year from September 18th thru October 4th. 🧀 Be sure to check out the ‘Eastern State Farmers Market’, for cooking demos and enjoy samples of cheese, spreads, jams, jellies, and more!

Enjoy the fairs this season!

08/31/2026

As the calendar turns to September, we're already feeling a change in the air. Now is a perfect time to plant perennials, native plants, or cold-hardy bulbs. The soil stays warm even when the air is cool, so plants establish roots and get settled before winter.

Find local plant nurseries and garden centers near you in our online guide. Here's a list to get you started: https://tinyurl.com/FallPlanting26

Photos from farms:
Hillside Nursery
Native Plant Trust
Starview Gardens
Wing and a Prayer Nursery

08/31/2026

Part of the traditional agricultural harvest is a community celebration. Why not two-step your way into autumn with our friends at Just Roots?

🎺🥳Come one, come all to the second annual Just Roots Hootenanny! Join us as we celebrate our community and the local harvest in our historic barn!

🎟️TICKETS at bit.ly/hootenanny26

🗓️Saturday, October 3rd*
⏰7-10pm
📍at Just Roots (28 Glenbrook Dr. Greenfield, MA)

Dance the night away with live local music from Celebration Brass Band of VT, enjoy snacks and beverages provided by local businesses, and bid in a silent auction featuring donated local gifts and services.

Every ticket includes complimentary snacks and wood-fired pizza from Janet Olson. Local beer from Incandescent Brewing Company, cider, wine, and signature cocktails will be available for purchase. No outside alcohol allowed.

All proceeds raised from the event will support our ongoing work to provide affordable farm shares and nutrition support for households experiencing food insecurity right here in Franklin County as well as across the state.

*We’ve changed the date of this year’s event in order to have the best party possible with the band and food that will help make it a fabulous night!

08/29/2026

https://www.buylocalfood.org/nepm-kushi-farm/

It's time for another .

Monte, Kaliis, and Claire visit Matt Kushi, 4th generation to farmer in North Hadley. Theyare two businesses in one: Kushi Farm, developed in honor of the family legacy, and the North Hadley Chili Pepper Company, the value-added product arm of the business.

Starting around 15 years ago, Matt Kushi of Kushi Farm and The North Hadley Chili Pepper Company started growing chili peppers on a 10 x 10 garden plot. Unsure of what to do with the peppers, the North Hadley Sugar Shack recommended pepper jelly.

Kushi got to work, and developed recipes that people liked. He said, "this stuff is good and this goes well with cheese and crackers, charcuterie boards on ribs, chicken as kind of a glaze."

BBQ season is still with us! Head over to the to pick up some goodness to enjoy the close of summer.

Listen to the whole story from the link above.

Photos from Kushi Farm website and New England Public Media .

08/27/2026

If you are experiencing the pinch of increased food costs and you want to feed your family healthy, nutritious meals, we have a tip that might help!

🤔 Have you considered buying produce in bulk from your local farmer?

Right now, you can buy boxes of tomatoes for sauces and salsa, peaches for freezing, and even potatoes in bulk! 🍅🍑🥔

Visit Ray's Family Farm in Southwick for a box of tomatoes, Hager's Farm Market for a box of peaches, and Dan's Veggies and Poplar Mountain Maple in Erving for bulk potatoes.

Stock up on local produce to stretch your food dollars further while supporting local farms!

📸 1: Ray's Family Farm
📸 2: Hager's Farm Market
📸 3: Dan's Veggies and Poplar Mountain Maple

08/25/2026

CISA is grateful for our partnership with Big Y World Class Market that’s helping to build a better local food system in western Massachusetts.

Big Y has been a long-time supporter of local farms, including the UMass Student Farm and many other Local Hero farms in the Valley.

We’re grateful for their sponsorship and commitment to uplifting local farms and businesses throughout the region.

💚 Thank you, Big Y World Class Market, for supporting CISA!

08/24/2026

If horses are on your summer bucket list, this could be your week! 🐎

Check out our scheduled events for t̳h̳i̳s̳ week - let us know if you are interested in signing up! 🐴🐮

08/22/2026

Someone asked the other day, "what remains unfinished on your summer bucket list?"

Perhaps the real question is "How did it get to be August already?"

Before it's time for flannel shirts and boots, check out a Local Hero winery for hanging out in beautiful spaces while sipping something delicious. Our local vineyards offer farm-to-table meals, food trucks, concerts, creative workshops, and more.

Pro tip: follow the vineyards on socials and sign up for newsletters to keep up with it all!

Photos from farm pages:
Hardwick Vineyard & Winery
Raven Hollow Winery
Black Birch Vineyard .ma
Glendale Ridge Vineyard

08/21/2026

Pick up your tickets at shelburne_farm_and_garden or Hager's Farm Market and have a great weekend! 🤠

🎉 The countdown is on—the 108th Heath Fair is almost here! 🎡🌻

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend filled with agricultural exhibits, exciting competitions, live entertainment, delicious fair food, family fun, and so much more. There's something for everyone at the Heath Fair!

🎟️ Get your tickets today!
Purchase online at www.HeathFair.org, or pick them up in person at shelburne_farm_and_garden or Hager's Farm Market.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and come celebrate another amazing Heath Fair with us. We can't wait to see you there! 🌽🚜🎠