SOUTH DEERFIELD — As spring approaches, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has opened enrollment for its 2021 “Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown” campaign. Businesses have until March 31 to sign up to become a member.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses of all types to re-examine and adapt their practices, and that includes CISA, which is offering members sliding scale payment for 2021, according to Local Hero Program Manager Devon Whitney-Deal. As the pandemic continues to impact farms and businesses financially, CISA hopes offering sliding scale membership fees will encourage food businesses to enroll so it can continue to provide them with the resources and support that Local Hero members have come to expect.
Whitney-Deal said CISA currently has 367 members throughout the Pioneer Valley. Members typically renew their $150 membership each year — the year runs from April 1 through March 31.
“There has always been a cost related to membership,” Whitney-Deal said. “Members include farms, businesses and restaurants. With membership fees we are able to keep our online guide accurate and updated. It’s very informative.”
She said CISA decided to offer the sliding scale membership fee this year because after working very closely and having many conversations with its members since the pandemic began, it realized COVID-19 has caused hardship on many of them.
“We had a good picture of what our members were dealing with on a financial level, management level, and the (personal protective equipment) and other equipment and sanitizers they had to buy, along with other pandemic-related expenses,” Whitney-Deal explained. “It was pretty clear that this kind of offering was needed.”
Whitney-Deal said CISA looked at its own budget this year and decided it could afford to offer sliding scale membership fees so that farmers and businesses can put the money they save on membership, however much that is, into paying their staff, rent or whatever else they need.
CISA has supported and promoted local food in the Pioneer Valley through its Local Hero program for more than 22 years, and members can use its Be a Local Hero logo to promote their products. Members also benefit from advertising and public relations campaigns that build awareness and increase support for local farms and businesses.
Whitney-Deal said members can also participate in remote workshops on topics that include marketing, farm financials and decision-making. There are also opportunities for one-on-one consultations that help members address business needs, and CISA serves to connect farmers and buyers in the region through its networking drives.
Additionally, Local Hero members receive a listing in CISA’s online “find it locally” guide, which is updated frequently to connect consumers to food, nursery flowers, and fiber and timber products throughout the Pioneer Valley.
“I’m not sure we would have been able to navigate our 2020 pivots without CISA staff,” said Julia Coffey of Mycoterra Farm in South Deerfield. “CISA provided amazing support in establishing our Mass Food Delivery service, essentially saving the farm.”
The pandemic has highlighted how essential local food producers, distributors and retailers are, and the Pioneer Valley is fortunate to have a strong agricultural community, Whitney-Deal said.
“Now more than ever, CISA is committed to its mission to grow the local food economy in the Pioneer Valley and beyond,” she said.
To find out more about the benefits and services of the program, or to join and be a Local Hero, visit bit.ly/3bCjZjb or call 413-665-7100, ext. 22.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.