The Market Match Fund is BAV’s latest economic development and food access initiative, designed to provide a consistent, annual funding stream to match customer SNAP benefits at Berkshire County farmers markets. Until now, Berkshire County farmers markets that offer matching programs have fundraised independently of each other, which can be fraught with challenges for small markets. By establishing this centralized fund, BAV is eliminating the capacity and fundraising barriers markets have traditionally faced. Currently, the Market Match Fund is able to support markets in offering a 1:1 SNAP match up to $30, with the hope of either removing the $30 limit or raising the SNAP match to 2:1. The fund will provide significant business growth opportunities for farmers and food producers who will benefit from the bolstered SNAP matching revenue stream. Additionally, supporting matching programs increases low-income households’ purchasing power and autonomy at local markets. BAV believes this fund will provide critical support to Berkshire County farmers markets, leveling the playing field of who can afford local foods, ultimately leading to healthier communities and thriving local agribusinesses well into the future. Please click here to find out how you or your business can support the Fund.

Climate-Smart Agriculture – Thanks to a $71,474 grant from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), BAV is happy to announce the start of a grant program (ENE22-177) to train service providers in our region with up-to-date information on planning and managing multifunctional riparian buffers (vegetated “buffer-strips” growing near streams). Riparian buffers have been used in conservation for years to provide pollinator and bird habitat, grow food crops, or produce seasonal livestock feed, and regional farmers have renewed interest in combining the water quality improvement that riparian buffers offer with strategic plantings that provide added value. The free program will run from Summer 2022 to Fall 2023, and includes site visits, a winter lecture series, and 1-on-1 consultations. Interested service providers can apply to the program here, and farmers or landowners can also recommend a service provider for the training through the same link. For more information, contact Ben Crockett: [email protected].

Julia Lemieux named her farm Windy Ridge, but she couldn’t have anticipated the incredible gusts that took down one of her two all-season greenhouses last month. BAV was pleased to help Julia publicize her GoFundMe campaign to rebuild Greenhouse #2, and especially happy to provide a challenge grant to the campaign. Today, the new greenhouse is operational, and Julia is preparing for another busy season of selling organic plants and seedlings online, through wholesalers and retailers, and through her own CSA.

"We focus on supporting small farms on the retail side, and that’s important – but simply selling local goods only goes so far. Working with BAV means those hard-working farmers have a more inclusive and comprehensive support system while getting their product into the hands (and mouths) of their customers. Operating with our ends in mind, we’re able to further the success and longevity of local growers and producers by also supporting the financial and technical resource that is BAV.”

Marketing Manager, Berkshire Food Co-op

As Program Manager, Ben Crockett will work with farms in the region to develop and implement BAV’s Climate-Smart Agriculture solutions, including agroforestry, cover cropping, no-till farming, and other practices that reduce carbon emissions while building resiliency for a changing climate. Previously, Ben was department chair for the Kennebec Valley Community College Sustainable Agriculture program, is a Master Food Preserver through UMaine Extension, and has mentored start-up farm businesses in the Hudson Valley. Ben earned his B.S. in Sustainable Landscape Horticulture at the University of Vermont, and recently completed the Climate Adaptation Fellowship for farmers and foresters. He lives in the Berkshires with his partner Kara and their dog Alice.

Congratulations to awardees of the Massachusetts Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program announced on April 14! More than $22 million in grant funding was awarded to 147 projects across the Commonwealth to ensure individuals and families have equitable access to healthy, local food. Recipients included farms, fisheries, schools, nonprofits, for-profits, food pantries, municipalities, distributors/suppliers, and other entities. BAV supported several Berkshire-area farms and agriculture businesses with their grant applications, and is also providing critical upfront funding to complete awarded projects prior to reimbursement from the state. If you're interested in learning more about these grant programs, visit the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. If you're interested in learning more about how BAV can help your business compete for public and private grants, please contact us!

The BAV team recently took part in Uprooting Racism in the Food System, presented by Soul Fire Farm. In the training, we learned more about the history of racism (and sexism, ageism, ableism, etc.) in our nation’s food system. This marks the start of BAV's efforts to advance equity and justice in everything we do, and we are deeply grateful to the folks at Soul Fire for situating us on this path.

After 25 years, The Berkshire Trade & Commerce Monthly has ceased publication. Thanks to Brad, John, and the entire BTAC team for your service to the community. (Click here to see a feature on BAV in the final issue.)

Every day is Earth Day at BAV!