Building the
Future of Food in
Our Community
Dear Friend,

Throughout this year, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) has worked with our partners to build a more equitable, more resilient food system for the region we love.

Through BAV's efforts we're creating a stronger local economy; improving access to local, healthy food for everyone; preserving open spaces; and addressing climate change by supporting climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
Photo Credit: Don Purdue
Year In Review
  • BAV hit a major milestone in surpassing $1 million in grants, low-interest loans, and technical assistance provided to farmers and food businesses in the Berkshire-Taconic region


  • BAV provided $20,000 to support Market Match programs at four Berkshire County farmers markets, helping farmers and food producers increase their sales while improving access to fresh local food for the community

  • BAV applied for and received three USDA grants (total: $1.5 million) these grants include:

  • The Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) grant allows BAV to serve as a Microenterprise Development Organization to provide support to small agribusinesses with loans and technical assistance;

  • The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) grant will support BAV’s work with a local food hub to increase sales for vendors while promoting local food to more than 16,000 people;

  • The Regional Food System Partnerships Program (RFSP) grant will help BAV work with farmers and other partners to build capacity in regional meat processing.
Photo Credit: Smoke & Honey Co. (L), Paige Storti (R)
With our support, BAV clients took on some exciting projects too, including:
  • The Greenagers’ Helping Hands project, which gives apprentices the chance to re-engage and diversify the agricultural land on farms across Berkshire County

  • Smoke & Honey, who purchased hives and beekeeping equipment that was shared (free of charge) with BIPOC farmers interested in beekeeping

  • The new Aquaponics Lab at the Berkshire County House of Corrections, which produces up to 1,200 heads of lettuce every week

  • New refrigeration equipment and a Market Match program at the New Lebanon Farmers Market, which is improving food access in Columbia County

  • A $100k investment in Farm Ferments, a “mission-based fermentation facility”

Photo Credit: New Lebanon Farmers Market (L), Abode Farm (R)
We're proud of the staff, Board and entire BAV community for making these accomplishments possible, and for making 2021 truly a year to remember. This is just the beginning of our work to create a more just, more equitable, more climate-ready, more food-forward Berkshire-Taconic Region!

We have ambitious plans to build on this work in 2022, and we hope you’ll consider joining our staff and Board by making your year-end, tax-deductible* gift to BAV. And contact us any time with questions, thoughts or ideas at 413.645.3594.