Dear Friends,

It's August! Zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, carrots, radishes, garlic, sweet onions, basil, dill, blueberries. Peaches!! The bounty is making me dizzy.

BAV has been hopping. We've been out in the field a lot - for workshops, farmer visits, local events. We are mindful of how stressful late summer is for farmers, and we're thrilled when we get to assist our clients in any way - with a needed loan, a perfect grant-writer match, and other forms of timely support. Work on the farm is at a fever pitch this time of year, but the business side of farming never goes away! That's why we're glad to be here. And glad that our community is here to make our work possible.

With some much going on, we're keeping this newsletter (relatively) short! Below you'll find a few key updates and recaps - as well as two upcoming events we hope you'll put on your calendar. Be on the lookout next month for our annual Impact Report - we are excited to share it with you!

Gratefully,

Audrey Hackett

Communications & Development Manager

Photo: Cows at Hawthorne Valley Farm on a recent afternoon.

INDIAN LINE FARM ON FAB 413

Check out the Fabulous 413's July interview with Elizabeth Keen of Indian Line Farm and BAV Outreach & Technical Assistance Manager Dan Carr. We loved learning more about Elizabeth's farming journey and the history and legacy of this beautiful and influential farm - a pioneer of CSAs in the United States! Pictured here are the show's truly fabulous co-hosts, Kaliis Smith and Monte Belmonte, enjoying a moment in the shade with Elizabeth and Dan.

GOOD NEWS ON HIP

Last month we shared the "pretty good" news that HIP was stabilized at $40 for the fiscal year. This month we're thrilled to share even better news - HIP benefits will be fully restored to $40/$60/$80 based on household size beginning September 1! Gratitude to the advocates and lawmakers who pushed for HIP restoration after drastic cuts last winter. HIP - short for Healthy Incentives Program - is a Massachusetts program that gives SNAP households more purchasing power for fresh produce from local farmers. That's a win for everyone!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, September 21

BAV is delighted to be co-organizing Fodder: Stories from the Field, a lively afternoon of farming stories - straight from the field! Join us at Greenagers/April Hill on Sunday, September 21, 4-6pm. Tickets are $15; farmers attend free! Space is limited and registration is required. See you there!

Wednesday, September 24

Join BAV and The Farmer's Table to hear how climate change is impacting farmers' work and livelihoods - and how local farms are adapting and helping to build resilience in our region. To be held Wednesday, September 24, 5-7:30pm, at De Hoek Farm in New Milford, CT, this event features a local farmer panel and other speakers. The event aligns with Climate Week NYC - bringing regional perspectives and on-the-ground expertise to this global issue. Free, but space is limited. Registration info will be available soon!

OUT & ABOUT

BAV staff was out in the field, literally, last month at Hawthorne Valley Farm - the last stop on this summer's New England Grazing Network's "Luminary Tour." We were excited to co-organize this opportunity for livestock farmers and other ag stakeholders to learn about regenerative approaches to grazing from distinguished agronomist and author Dale Strickler. As a NEGN member, BAV collaborates with other ag organizations across New England and Eastern NY to share grazing expertise with farmers and increase connectivity between grazing service providers.

BAV was pleased to present a two-part Linear Measurements Workshop for livestock farmers last month. Part one brought us to Mike Scannell and Joan Harris' Harrier Fields Farm, where workshop attendees evaluated a live beef animal using linear measurements related to selective breeding practices. Part two was hosted by The Meat Hook, where butcher Sam Turner guided attendees through the carcass breakdown - demonstrating how linear measurements translate into cuts of meat and deepening participants' overall meat literacy.

We had a great time tabling at West Stockbridge Farmers Market in early July! BAV is proud to support 100% of the SNAP matching at this vibrant and community-minded market. The Thursday afternoon we visited, the market was hopping - with kids playing tag and musician David Reed playing Americana groove. Vendors offered tallow soaps, maple syrup, string beans, garlic scapes, sugar snap peas, heritage breed pork BBQ, freshly made strawberry lemonade, and much more - we took some of it home!

We were happy to join a host of other Berkshire nonprofits at Tanglewood's Berkshire Stroll on a beautiful sunny Sunday last month. Concert-goers had some great questions - How does BAV help local farmers? How many farms are there in the Berkshires? Where can I find good heirloom tomatoes? - that we did our best to answer.

FARMER EVENTS & RESOURCES

Listening Session

August 19, 7-8:15pm on Zoom

Farm Bill: Farmer Listening Session: Farmers will have the chance to speak directly about the importance of USDA programs for their operations. NOFA/Mass will facilitate and compile anonymous feedback to share with legislators and both Ag Committees. Click here to learn more and register.

Upcoming Deadlines

August 10-September 10

Land & Legacy Scholarship: Provides financial support for farmers and ranchers interested in attending any of Noble Research Institute’s 2025 educational courses designed to promote land stewardship through regenerative management practices. Click here for learn more and apply.

August 31

FARMpreneurs Strategic Sprint: Now accepting applications for the Winter 2026 cohort. Program is a week-long, in-person "executive education boot camp" for community-based farmers. The one in our region is scheduled for Febraury 22-28 at Glynwood Center in Cold Springs, NY. Click here to learn more and apply.

Fall 2025 application; Preliminary Interest Form available now

Agroforestry Apprentice Program: Opportunity to learn the basics of agroforestry and gain on-the-job training in key agroforestry career paths. Pilot program organized by the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Tompkins County, NY, and partners. Click here for details and to fill out the Preliminary Interest Form.

Resources for Extreme Heat

Extreme Heat Resource Guide

This guide from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health includes best practices for farms as well as information to help different populations prepare for and keep themselves safe in exteme heat.

Extreme Heat Equipment Credit (NY)

New York's newly launched extreme heat equipment credit helps qualifying small businesses protect their workers through the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies. Learn more here and apply for the credit here.

SUPPORT BAV!

We ALL have a stake in local agriculture. Farmers need our support more than ever. Give today and be a part of BAV's vital work.

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