Dear Friends,

Welcome to winter! While it’s a season of (relative) rest for farmers, it’s a busy time for all of us at BAV as we help farmers plan for a healthy and successful 2025. Our loan program ramps up, our technical assistance inquiries build.... Exciting work lies ahead!

But we’re not only in planning mode. We are also taking time to reflect on the past year. Supporting farmers day in and day out, we know that their work is challenging, stressful, and full of uncertainty. We also know that for many farmers, growing and raising food for their communities is a deep source of purpose and meaning. 

Supporting farmers in their work offers purpose and meaning to us at BAV. Many of our supporters have expressed this as well. Amid profound political and global upheaval, so much positive change is possible in our local communities. We believe food and farms are the roots: the place to begin.

If you are moved to support BAV’s work with farmers, please consider a gift in these final weeks of the year. We thrive, and our farmers thrive, because of our donors' commitment and care. Thank you for your generosity and for being part of our community.

With gratitude and warm holiday wishes,

Rebecca Busansky

Executive Director

AN EXCITING AND VIBRANT YEAR!

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR STAFF

It's been such an honor and a joy to get to know the folks stewarding the farms and food businesses in our area. The journey across Columbia and Berkshire counties gets sweeter every time I can say I know the folks I pass along the way. I am especially thankful to work with such a talented, caring, and committed team at BAV. 

—Shannon Smith, Director of Lending & Finance

A highlight of this year has been launching the Berkshire-Taconic Dairy Cohort with support from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. Bringing together farmers of different scales, ages, and approaches from four neighboring counties in three states has been incredibly rewarding. Watching them connect, share, and learn about each other’s operations has already been a joy, and I’m excited to see how these relationships and insights grow over the next year-and-a-half.

—Dan Carr, Outreach & Technical Assistance Manager

What feels most present for me are the people I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with: the farmers, farmers market managers, colleagues from partner organizations, our donor community, and my co-workers! I learn something new from these people every day, and their shared passion for improving the local food system, from the soil up, inspires me. I am always humbled that our love for the land, local agriculture, and food are the threads connecting us all.

—Ciana Barnaba, Community Relations & Resource Development Manager

The highlight for me this year was developing and launching the Livestock Farming Resource Directory. This online resource aims to connect livestock farmers with processors, regional transportation, cold storage, and sales options to support their businesses and our regional meat processing value chain.

—Jake Levin, Program Manager for Local Meat Processing Support

Over this past growing season, I prioritized spending more time in the field—visiting farms and farmers markets, walking the land, getting to know more of the farmers who do this work. This is what continuously rejuvenates me. I deepen my understanding and appreciation of farmers and farming every single time.

—Rebecca Busansky, Executive Director

Learning more about local farmers and sharing their stories through words and photos has been a privilege for me over the past year. Not to mention joining the BAV team, beginning as a remote (from Ohio) consultant in January and transitioning into a full-time, in-person role in the Berkshires this fall. It has been a year of growth and surprises!

—Audrey Hackett, Communications & Development Associate

I've had the privilege to connect with more than 15 farms in Litchfield County this year in an effort to help them address their risks related to climate change. I've learned that farms are not a monolith, and the challenges they face to keep farming through the 21st century will be just as diverse. I've also learned that despite the romanticized notion of a "self-sufficient" farm, farming is in many respects a "team sport." The farms of the future will be the ones that lean into their relationships, and I am grateful to be part of the network that supports stronger and more resilient farms.

—Ben Crockett, Program Manager for Climate Smart Agriculture

A highlight of 2024 for me was joining the team at BAV. The work, people, and culture feel like home and seamlessly weave together the different skills and interests I bring to the table. BAV has been so welcoming to me, I am thrilled to have found my way onto this team!

—Kallie Robertson, Finance Manager

The highlight of my work at BAV this year has been meeting so many incredible supporters and community members at our events and gatherings. It’s inspiring to connect with people who are passionate about supporting local farmers, preserving agriculture, ensuring access to local food, and caring deeply about our community.

—Bonnie Stevens, Development Director

BAV is excited to announce the launch of our Winter-Spring 2025 Meat Workshop Series! BAV's Local Meat Processing Support Program is offering FOUR workshop series between January and May that bring together industry experts to address meat marketing, meat costing and pricing, meat literacy, and live animal carcass evaluation.

There is no cost to participate.

The first workshop, scheduled for January 13, 14, & 15, is geared to livestock producers who want to learn more about consumer-friendly marketing online and in person. See the poster below for more details and email Jake Levin at jake@berkshireagventures.org to register.

And stay tuned for more news and workshop announcements from BAV's Local Meat Processing Support Program in the new year!

FARMER EVENTS & RESOURCES

Survey opportunity: Attention MA farmers, homesteaders, and gardeners! DAA Fellows Meghan C. Riley (Plymouth County Extension and sheep farmer) and Breeka Li Goodlander (scientist and homesteader/permaculturist) are conducting a survey to gather your knowledge about climate variability and its effects on crops and animals, land conditions and land use, soil and plant health, and other topics. The survey takes 10-12 minutes and is available until January 1. Survey link is here.

Board Supervisor opportunity: Do you live in Berkshire County and are involved with agriculture, conservation, or environmental work? Berkshire County Conservation District has openings for new Board Supervisors, where you can bring your expertise and insights to guide the actions and efforts of the BCD and work closely with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as well as landowners, concerned citizens, local governments, community organizations, and state and federal agencies to address the conservation of natural resources. If you're interested in being a Board Supervisor, please follow up with Cynthia Grippaldi at 413-443-1776x102 or email admin@berkshireconservation.org.

Upcoming in January

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has a range of January workshops for farm businesses covering websites, social media marketing, and how to talk about climate change with customers. Click here for details.

UConn Extension’s “The Business of Farming” Course is a hybrid course designed to develop and strengthen the business and technical skills for beginning farmers with up to 3 years of experience. The course is virtual (through Blackboard) and in-person, and the cost is $50. 



• Cohort 1 (starting in Jan.): sign up here.
• Cohort 2 (starting in Feb.): sign up here.

January 25: Farmer 2 Farmer Conference organized by New CT Farmer Alliance (NCTFA). 9+ interactive sessions tailored for farmers in their first 10 years of farming. Geared to help new farmers connect with peers, share knowledge, problem-solve collectively, and learn to advocate. Held in Meriden, CT. Free, with food provided. Registration and details coming soon!

January 29: UConn Solid Ground Farm Manager Summit

This summit helps farmer managers strengthen their management skills and gain fresh ideas for the growing season. Held in Hartford, CT. Cost: $40. Registration and details coming soon!

SUPPORT BAV!

We all have a stake in local agriculture. Please consider supporting BAV's work with local farmers, food producers, and our community. Thank you!