Events from November 30 – January 18, 2024 – CISA – Community Involved In Sustaining Agriculture https://www.buylocalfood.org Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:16:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 New Entry’s Farm Business Planning Course https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/new-entrys-farm-business-planning-course/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=44562 In this course, you will learn how to:

  • Create a mission and vision for your business
  • Develop a budget and a plan to fund your business
  • Create a marketing plan for your business
  • Set goals and create a timeline for your farm business to grow
  • Weave those elements together into a cohesive business plan

Course Details:

The courses meet online on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm Eastern Standard Time for 8 consecutive weeks. Each evening session is filled with information and activities that will help you write your farm business plan. The Farm Business Planning course is designed to help you create a written plan to start or expand your farm business.

Graduates of the course can apply to join our Incubator Farm Program.

The course is recognized by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) as fulfilling one of their financial management training requirements.

  • DATE: Tuesday, October 3, 2023
  • TIME: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
  • LOCATION: Online  Link to be given to registrants upon enrollment
  • COST: $400 – Half-off scholarship available

More information here!

]]> Exploring the Small Farm Dream (Fall Session) https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-fall-session/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=44569 5-session course, typically offered on weekday evenings, using curriculum and workbook developed by the New England Small Farm Institute.  For those who are thinking about or in the planning stages of a starting their own farm, including those who are expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale.  This course offers guidance and resources to help make informed decisions about what’s involved with owning your own farm so you can decide whether or not to take the plunge – and how to proceed in the first stages.  Cost per enterprise – $100

In this course you will:

  • Test the feasibility of your idea before you invest
  • Evaluate self employment and the suitability of an agricultural lifestyle
  • Investigate markets for your proposed product or service
  • Identify regulations that will impact your planned enterprises
  • Understand the unique risks associated with agriculture
  • Determine your financial break even date
  • Evaluate the realistic contribution you can expect from this piece of your livelihood
  • Test whether others share your vision and want to join/support you in this pursuit
  • Anticipate threats to your success
  • Decide what’s next in order to a) get going now, b) do more preparation, or c) avoid a big mistake!

Exploring the Small Farm Dream (application)

Fall Session: November 1 – December 6, 2023 (no session November 22), Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm  – tentative Western Mass location

To be considered for an upcoming session, please complete an application (found at link above) and email it to Jessica.Camp@mass.gov. Or mail it to:

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Attn: Jessica Camp
138 Memorial Ave, Suite 42
West Springfield, MA 01089

]]> Selling CSA Shares in NYC https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/selling-csa-shares-in-nyc/ Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45024 You’re invited! Join Farm Generations Cooperative, GrowNYC, and Just Food at one of four CSA workshops about CSAs in New York City.

Hear from an experienced farmer and supporting organizations about how to find a community partner, design a share, select a distribution location, make your shares financially accessible, collaborate with other growers, sell to and communicate with members, and more!

Options for the workshop include:

This workshop is open to current farmers and potential farmers, especially those in the NYC area. Please reach out if you have any questions!

]]> Risk Management Workshops with UConn Extension https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/risk-management-workshops-with-uconn-extension/ Wed, 06 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45080 Risk management is a critical aspect of managing a farm business. This winter, The Carrot Project is partnering with the University of Connecticut Extension and other Connecticut collaborators to bring you three workshops and additional individual coaching sessions on managing production risks for your farm.

Workshops:

  • Wednesday, December 6, 9am-3pm, at the Middlesex Extension office in Haddam, Connecticut.
  • Tuesday, January 16, 9am-12pm noon at CLiCK in Windham, Connecticut
  • Tuesday, January 23, 9am-2pm at the Tolland Extension Center, Vernon, Connecticut
  • Dates for another workshop and coaching sessions are being finalized at this time.

Look out for more information and links to register in newsletters to come and in our event calendar!

]]> Farmers Circle with The Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/farmers-circle-with-the-southern-new-england-farmers-of-color-collaborative/ Sun, 31 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=42216 Farmer Circles are peer learning communities for farmers interested in discussing a certain topic in an informal, supportive environment. Each circle meets for at least 12 hours over the course of about one year and is facilitated by another farmer with interest in the subject. There are no teachers or students  in the circles, just a community of farmers coming together to learn from each other!

SNEFCC Farmer Circles bring together farmers of color & aspiring farmers of color who come to share experiences and support each other as we pursue careers in farming. There may not be a set agenda and discussion is driven by participants and facilitated by another farmer in the group. Group meetings can take place online or in person with a schedule set by the participants.

Farmers of Color are invited to sign up for a Farmer Circe in CT, MA, RI, and NH. Participants will receive a stipend at the end of the year (approx $15/hr of participation).

Register here! 

]]> MDAR Growing Your Farm Business Planning Course https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/mdar-growing-your-farm-business-planning-course-2/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=44567 Course Details:

  • When: Tuesdays, January 9 – March 5, 2024, 6-8:30pm
  • Where: MDAR office in West Springfield, or alternate western MA location dependent upon interest
  • Registration: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. $150 per farm. If interested, please complete the brief Growing Your Farm application and email it to Diego.Irizarry-Gerould@mass.gov, or mail a hard copy to: MDAR, Attn: Diego Irizarry-Gerould, 138 Memorial Ave, Suite 42, West Springfield, MA 01089.

A hands-on course to help established farmers develop a business plan and financial projections for their farm business. This course covers topics including resource assessment, marketing strategy, financial management, risk management, quality of life, and goal setting. The course is taught by a professional business planner with years of experience working with Massachusetts farms and guest speakers on topics such as succession planning and online marketing. Enrollment is open to farmers who have been operating a farm business in Massachusetts for at least the
three prior years, but participating farmers could also have 20-30 years of experience and utilize the course to plan for growth or adding a new enterprise. Eight weekly classes will be held in person in West Springfield on Tuesday evenings from January 9th through March 5th, (no class February 20th). The Growing Your Farm course has been approved as a certified USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) borrower training for financial management.

For more information, see ABTP program webpage or contact Diego at 857-248-1671. It is important to us that course fees do not create a barrier to participation. If the fee would prevent you from participating, please contact Diego at the number or email above and we can discuss waiving the fee.

]]> Financial Literacy 101 https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/financial-literacy-101/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45136

Are you thinking of starting a small farm?
Do you already run a farm and are hoping to expand?

Invest in yourself and watch your returns grow through this 7-week course. Click here for more information.

This course is right for you if you’ve never taken a day of financial planning in your life! It is also an excellent next step for any farmer who has gone through New Entry’s Farm Business Planning Course or similar introductory program.

We create a friendly, informal environment to let you feel welcome and at ease with math-oriented topics. Course content will be integrated through collaborative work with a focus on project-based learning. Each project will be tailored toward the specific goals of farm management by providing relevant information and practical examples for you to build on their previous business experience. Course discussions will allow every participant to share experiences and learn from each other. Students will leave with a firm grasp on how to create and analyze a farm’s financial statements and build a budget and strategic plan based on their farm’s financial goals.

  • WHEN: Jan 9th – Feb 20th, 2024, Tuesdays from 8am – 10am
  • WHERE: Nichols College in Dudley, MA with an option to attend via Zoom.
  • COST: Free to all beginning (<10 years) and BIPOC farmers *Interpretación en español disponible
]]> ¡IMPUESTO 101 2023! TAX 101 2023! https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/impuesto-101-2023-prepare-el-anexo-f-para-los-impuestos-de-2023-tax-101-2023-get-your-schedule-f-ready-for-2023-taxes/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 22:30:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45324

¡Prepare el Anexo F para los impuestos de 2023!

¡Registrar aquí!

Este taller tiene como objetivo enseñar a los agricultores los fundamentos de la elaboración de presupuestos y el mantenimiento de registros con el objetivo de poder ser agricultores de acuerdo con la ley de Massachusetts. Le daremos conceptos para crear y mantener registros agrícolas para que coincidan con las categorías a efectos de impuestos. Esto abrirá oportunidades para solicitar subvenciones que beneficiarán directamente a las empresas de los agricultores.

El conocimiento financiero es la puerta de entrada para que los agricultores puedan tomar decisiones financieras informadas sobre sus negocios, prepararse adecuadamente para la próxima temporada, fijar precios apropiados y evaluar qué actividades/cultivos “valen” su tiempo.

Presentadores: Zoraia Barros y Yamaira Rivera, MBA. Servicios de Contabilidad y Impuestos de YR

  • Cuándo: Martes, 9 de enero, 5:30-7pm
  • Dónde: 329 Main St, Holyoke MA, 01040
  • Coorganizador: Nuestras Raíces
  • Tarifa: $10.00*

*Tarifa: CISA ofrece precios de escala móvil para garantizar que las finanzas no sean una barrera para la asistencia. Póngase en contacto con Zoraia (Zoraia@buylocalfood.org) para solicitar un registro gratuito o con descuento.

Póngase en contacto con Zoraia en zoraia@buylocalfood.org o 413-665-7100 ext. 15 o Jason Comcowich en jcomcowich@nuestras-raices.org si tiene alguna pregunta.

Get your Schedule F ready for 2023 taxes!

Register here!

This workshop will teach farmers the foundations of budgeting and record-keeping to help them comply with Massachusetts law. We will share strategies for creating and keeping records that correspond with the information needed for farm tax filings.

Improved recordkeeping will open opportunities to apply for grants that will benefit farmers’ businesses directly. Financial knowledge is the doorway to farmers being able to make informed financial decisions about their businesses, to be able to adequately prepare for next season, to set appropriate prices, and to evaluate what activities/crops are “worth” their time.

Presenters: Zoraia Barros and Yamaira Rivera, MBA. YR Accounting and Tax Services

  • When: Tuesday, January 9th, 5:30-7pm
  • Where: 329 Main St, Holyoke MA, 01040
  • Co-Sponsor: Nuestras Raices
  • Fee: $10.00*

*Fee: The standard cost for this course is $10. CISA offers sliding scale pricing to ensure finances are not a barrier to attendance. Please reach out to Zoraia (Zoraia@buylocalfood.org) to request discounted or free registration.

Contact Zoraia at zoraia@buylocalfood.org or 413-665-7100 ext. 15 or Jason Comcowich at jcomcowich@nuestras-raices.org with any questions.

]]> Wholesale Readiness Program for Food Entrepreneurs https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/wholesale-readiness-program-for-food-entrepreneurs-2/ Fri, 12 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45274

Apply Here!

Are you an early-stage, but established food entrepreneur selling a consumer packaged good or value-added product in the northeast? Are you primarily selling direct to consumer and ready to begin selling to stores (or more stores!) in your region? Join us between January and May 2024 to learn from industry experts and entrepreneurs like yourself who have grown their CPG brands in the Northeast. Click here for more information.

This program will be hosted primarily online via live sessions on Zoom between January and May of 2023 with an optional (in-person) final event:

  • Ten 1.5 hour virtual workshop sessions (required)
  • Eight 1 hour virtual office hour sessions (suggested)
  • One in-person gathering/wrap up session (optional)
  • Virtual Speed Trading Matchmaking Event (optional)
  • In-person SBN Local Food Trade Show (optional)

Sessions include a mix of:

  • Presentations by industry experts
  • Panel discussions with industry experts and buyers
  • Group discussion
  • Pre-work assessments and suggested homework

Eligibility & Cost

This program is open to established CPG companies who:

  • Utilize at least one locally grown ingredient in their food products.
  • Can demonstrate at least one year of direct to consumer sales.
  • Have a baseline understanding of their production and operational costs.
  • Can commit to at least eight program sessions.
  • Is located in the Northeast (New England & New York)

This is a hands-on program that requires a commitment to be successful. You are a perfect candidate to join our program if you are willing to put in the work to scale your business.

This program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Local Food Promotion Program; there will be no cost to participants.

What you will learn

This program will cover the following topics:

  • Cost Analysis, Pricing & Profit Margins
  • Market Analysis, Marketing & Branding
  • Sales Strategy & Developing Relationships with Store Buyers
  • Working with Food Distributors
  • Production scale up, including working with co-packers

Bonus

Participants who attend all sessions will qualify for:

  • Specialized marketing & waived fees at the Local Food Trade Show (March) hosted by the Sustainable Business Network of MA (SBN).
  • Subsidized prototype trial at the Western MA Food Processing Center
  • Free counseling sessions throughout program with program facilitators
  • Free technical assistance offered by a menu of industry experts (link) including experts in branding, marketing, sales, fundraising, product development, food safety, & more.

Program Schedule

*Please note that office hours will be offered on alternate Fridays throughout the course of the program!

  • Friday January 12, 9:00-10:30am – Course Introduction
  • Friday January 26 – 9:00-10:30am – Market & Analysis & Creating a Marketing Plan
  • Tuesday February 9, 9-10:30 – Branding & Messaging
  • Friday February 23, 9:00-10:30 – Perfecting Your Pitch (Prep for Local Food Trade Show)
  • Early March – Local Food Trade Show hosted by Sustainable Business Network of MA
  • Late March – Speed Trading Event hosted by Sustainable Business Network of MA
  • Friday March 8, 9:00-10:30am – Selling Your Product to Retailers
  • Friday March 22, 9:00-10:30-am – Working with Food Distributors
  • April 5 – 9:00-10:30 – Analyzing Your Cost of Goods & Setting Appropriate Pricing
  • April 19, 9:00-10:30am – Scaling Your Production
  • May 3, 9:00-10:30 – Cash Flow Management
  • May 17, 9:00-10:30am – Final Presentations
  • June – In-person networking event 
Apply Now
Questions? Contact Kate Minifie at katem@fccdc.org or 413-774-7204 ext. 104
]]> Crop Insurance 101: An Introduction https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/crop-insurance-101-an-introduction/ Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45142 An overview of insurance programs relevant to vegetable and small fruit producers in New England. This workshop is intended for those with little to no prior experience with insurance and wondering what the options are and if they are right for your farm. Or for those looking for a refresher or updates. We will hear about Farm Service Agency’s Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and Risk Management Agency’s Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro-Farm Revenue Protection Programs.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2024, 10am-11am
Where: Online. Register here!

Speakers: Bailey Albert, MA-FSA Outreach Coordinator and Alex Sereno, Northeast Regional RMA Director

]]> Exploring the Small Farm Dream (Winter Session) https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/exploring-the-small-farm-dream-winter-session/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=44573 5-session course, typically offered on weekday evenings, using curriculum and workbook developed by the New England Small Farm Institute.  For those who are thinking about or in the planning stages of a starting their own farm, including those who are expanding a hobby to an income-generating scale.  This course offers guidance and resources to help make informed decisions about what’s involved with owning your own farm so you can decide whether or not to take the plunge – and how to proceed in the first stages.  Cost per enterprise – $100

In this course you will:

  • Test the feasibility of your idea before you invest
  • Evaluate self employment and the suitability of an agricultural lifestyle
  • Investigate markets for your proposed product or service
  • Identify regulations that will impact your planned enterprises
  • Understand the unique risks associated with agriculture
  • Determine your financial break even date
  • Evaluate the realistic contribution you can expect from this piece of your livelihood
  • Test whether others share your vision and want to join/support you in this pursuit
  • Anticipate threats to your success
  • Decide what’s next in order to a) get going now, b) do more preparation, or c) avoid a big mistake!

Exploring the Small Farm Dream (application)

Winter Session: January 17 – February 14, 2024, Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm, location tbd based on interest.

To be considered for an upcoming session, please complete an application (found at link above) and email it to Jessica.Camp@mass.gov. Or mail it to:

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
Attn: Jessica Camp
138 Memorial Ave, Suite 42
West Springfield, MA 01089

]]> Crop Insurance 301: Demystifying The How and Why Behind Each Program https://www.buylocalfood.org/event/crop-insurance-301-demystifying-the-how-and-why-behind-each-program/ Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.buylocalfood.org/?post_type=tribe_events&p=45144 A deeper dive into each individual program, one at a time, to help you decide which program is right for your farm. Regional experts from FSA and RMA will provide tips and tricks on how to be successful applying for coverage and getting a claim, including what records you need to keep and why. We will do our best to answer questions during a facilitated Q&A.

When: Thursday, January 18, 2024, 10am-noon
Where: Online. Register here!

Speakers: Julie Jacque, VT-FSA Agricultural Program Specialist and Alex Sereno, Northeast Regional RMA Director

These webinars will be recorded.

]]>