Greenfield church, CISA to host panel discussion on farming challenges

Natural Roots owner David Fisher speaks to Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Ashley Randle as state officials assessed damage at the farm in July. Fisher is one of the speakers on a panel at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield on Sunday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/JOSH QUALLS, GOVERNOR'S PHOTOGRAPHER

Staff Report

Published: 09-15-2023 3:35 PM

GREENFIELD — The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew is teaming up with South Deerfield-based Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) on Sunday to host a panel discussion on the challenges of farming amid the climate crisis, the state government’s response and visions for the future.

The noontime panel will bring together David Fisher of Natural Roots Farm in Conway; Sarah Voiland of Red Fire Farm in Montague and Granby; and state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, who serves on the Joint Committee on Agriculture.

Following the panel, there is expected to be an action planning session to share ideas of what can be done, next steps to take and how everyone can contribute.

This year has been challenging for farmers, as intense February cold ended most of the Northeast peach crop; hard frosts damaged apples, blueberries and more in May; and July rainstorms flooded farms across the region. In response, the state established the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund to provide an initial $20 million in mitigation funds for natural disasters, including flooding in western Massachusetts.