Dear Friends,



As the leaves begin to change and autumn sets in around us, we here at Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) would like to reflect on the recent Climate Week, a time when the U.N. General Assembly meets to discuss the climate crisis. From events in NYC, to climate-focused events that occurred right here in our own communities, people across the world know that the time to act is now. 

BAV’s event, "Harvesting Hope: Building Climate Resilient Farms in the Berkshire-Taconic Region,” highlighted the importance of supporting sustainable agriculture in our region and the challenges brought upon our farmers by climate change. It also reinforced the fact that despite the difficult road ahead, we are not helpless. There are actions we can take to build a better future for our farms and our communities. 

As we are well aware, climate change is the result of the ongoing release of greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere. While we typically link these emissions to what we put into the air, it's essential to recognize the substantial impact of what we put into the ground. A 2021 United Nations backed study revealed that over one-third of global emissions stem from food systems – the methods used to produce, process, and package our food. Fortunately, some of the solution lies right in our local soil. Supporting local agriculture plays a critical role in combating climate change.

"Harvesting Hope" demonstrated the practical side of sustainable, local agriculture. The event showcased the innovative, environmentally friendly practices – from climate battery greenhouses, no-till farming, to incorporating agroforestry to restore ecosystem functions – adopted by some of our local farmers, including Jim Schultz from Red Shirt Farm, Meg Bantle of Full Well Farm, and BAV’s very own Dan Carr of Beavertides Farm. Our work is to help interested farmers adopt these practices.

The unpredictable weather patterns, erratic growing seasons, and increased pest pressures challenge our farms in ways we've never seen before. Climate change presents us all with an urgent call to action. We must continue to equip our farms to weather these changes, and that's where BAV, and you, play a vital role. 

Your involvement makes a significant difference in the lives and futures of our farmers. Join us in empowering our community of farmers, as it is in the practices we adopt and the ecosystems we nurture that we find the key to a resilient, climate-smart future for our farmers, our families, and our community.

BAV recently gathered together agricultural service providers from our region to learn about climate smart agricultural practices. Siuslaw Model Forest, Hawthorne Valley Farm, and French Park provided the background for hands-on learning about climate smart agricultural practices including agroforestry, multifunctional riparian buffering, and the inclusion of native species to attract pollinators and promote biodiversity.

At Hawthorne Valley Farm, the group learned how multifunctional riparian buffers are helping farmers safeguard water bodies while enhancing their land's potential for production. Riparian buffers are strips of trees and vegetation along waterways that provide shade to keep bodies of water cool and importantly, act as natural filters, reducing sediment and pollutants from entering streams, rivers, and lakes.

Introducing farmers to these sustainable practices, not only helps protect water quality, but also improves ecosystems for aquatic and terrestrial life. Riparian buffers are part of a growing interest in agroforestry practices.

BAV works to increase the capacity of our farm service providers in order to better support our farmers in implementing these innovative techniques that will prove vital for sustainable and thriving farming practices in the years to come. Thank you to the USDA for their Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant that generously supported this program. 

Located on the border of New Lebanon and Stephentown, New York, Shaker Creek Farm is a small family farm that values community and cultivating relationships with their neighbors and other local farmers. They are grateful to participate in the redevelopment of a healthier and more just food system. 

Currently, Shaker Creek Farm is establishing a regionally adapted, regenerative agroforestry system utilizing apples, chestnuts, hazelnuts, berries and pasture-raised animals as well as many other perennial crops. Their main goal is to provide delicious, nutrient dense food, while enhancing the fertility, diversity, and resiliency of the ecosystem.

Recently, BAV worked with Shaker Creek Farm to trial soil moisture sensors in their ginger and turmeric beds. This technology helps farmers better understand the water needs of their crops, and provides important data that improves the precision of irrigation. 

There is much to learn about how best to use these kinds of tools, but by creating this partnership with Shaker Creek to test these tools out, a network of knowledge can be developed around all the tools that farms will need as climate change upends what a ‘regular growing season’ looks like. 

BAV is also thankful farms like Shaker Creek are sharing their knowledge and experience from this project with other local farmers through on-farm workshops led by BAV. Given the complexities and nuances of climate change’s effects on our local agriculture, it will be a community effort to learn how best to adapt.

"BAV's important to small farms like us because they offer a variety of services – whether it be technical assistance, helping us remain financially viable into the future, building connections to some of their staff who have expertise in farming themselves, or connecting us with peer farmers – it’s all been really helpful in starting up different enterprises and refining some of our practices. It's super helpful to have the opportunity to work with BAV and we're grateful for it."

-Alison Basdekis

Shaker Creek Farm

We’ve created a number of new resources for livestock farmers and meat processors to make navigating the local and regional meat processing supply chain easier and more accessible for our food system stakeholders. We encourage you to take advantage of them!

Check out the USDA’s recent success story about 

BAV and Plymouth Meats!

Support BAV today, join us in supporting our farmers during unprecedented climate events, and help secure the future of local food in our community.