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Growing the Future
of Food in our Community
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Happy Summer!
It’s been a busy few months at Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and we have some announcements we’d like to share with you.
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You may have noticed that over the past year local meat processing has gotten more attention in the news. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing issues within the national livestock supply chain. Responding to the stories and struggles of our region's livestock farmers, in 2020 Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) started working with Kitchen Table Consultants (KTC) to research viable solutions for the processing and supply chain bottlenecks in the Berkshire-Taconic region.
We are eager to share the recommendations identified in the final report by BAV and KTC, but before unveiling our plans we would like to bring you up to speed on Local Meat Processing.
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Below are BAV Staff's top selection of related news stories -
Click the links to read more:
We will be sharing the full report and BAV’s plans to assist our livestocks farmers for the short and long term. Stay tuned for more updates!
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Cattle grazing at Square Roots Farm, Lanesborough MA |
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BAV receives our first USDA assistance! |
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What does this mean for BAV?
By accepting this award of $500,000 (!!!) BAV will have an additional loan and technical assistance fund geared toward small farms in our service area of the Berkshire-Taconic region. Through this USDA program BAV will operate a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund - in addition to maintaining our Revolving Loan Fund, grant and assistance services. We expect to obtain formal approval for this award within the near future (early October 2021) and then be able to begin supporting our region’s farm and food businesses through this program. We are excited to get this off the ground!
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This summer BAV has awarded a number of grants to very cool projects taking place in the Berkshire-Taconic region. We are always grateful to work with thoughtful organizations and businesses who value and prioritize the health of our community and ecosystems. |
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Dan Carr (right) BAV's Outreach & Technical Assistance Coordinator handing grant check to Fort Hill Farm owners Paul Bucciaglia (far left) and Rebecca Batchie (middle). |
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Fort Hill Farm in New Milford, CT received a $5,000 grant from BAV for no-till equipment. With the purchase of the equipment, a no-till system at Fort Hill Farm will increase soil health, increase marketable yield of crops, reduce soil compaction and erosion, and decrease irrigation, compost, and labor costs. Fort Hill Farm is a family-run, certified organic farm growing in the heart of New Milford, CT. Since 2002, they’ve used farming practices that promote healthy soils, reduce pests, and protect our environment. Check out their website to see where you can find their produce!
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The Northwest Conservation District (NWCD) was awarded a $5,000 grant for their “Cover Crop Challenge” project and workshop geared to educate farmers on cover crop management and benefits. BAV’s grant provided free cover crop seed to participating farmers in Litchfield County, CT. This support also covered the cost of pre-project soil testing and soil health assessment which is often too expensive for farmers to underwrite on their own. The information gained by comprehensive soil testing will give farmers a deep understanding of the status of their soils, and help participants realize the full potential for soil health, nutrient capture and cycling, and soil erosion prevention. Learn more about NWCD’s work on their website!
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BAV committed $3,500 to the Berkshire Conservation District's Energy and Environmental Grant which, if awarded, will promote on-farm pollinator habitats and support healthy soil practices in collaboration with the agricultural community. The results of this grant proposal are currently pending but BAV hopes to share good news in the near future! The Berkshire Conservation District plays a vital role in supporting land, soil, forest, and water conservation in the Commonwealth and BAV is pleased to partner on the proposed project.
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The West Stockbridge Farmers Market received $3,000 from BAV for their Market Match program, which matches SNAP benefits dollar-for-dollar. When farmers markets run a Market Match program for shoppers, it not only alleviates the individual farms in attendance from applying to the USDA and purchasing EBT processing equipment, it also provides farmers access to an additional revenue stream. AND SNAP users are able to purchase affordable, nutrient dense, local foods. It’s a win-win BAV is happy to support!
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P.S.
Moving forward BAV will be sending our newsletters on a quarterly basis to highlight all of our significant accomplishments for the previous months.
For the most up-to-date coverage of Berkshire Agricultural Ventures work, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Want to learn more about how BAV can assist your local food producers? Want to get involved in our ongoing projects? Reach out to us at info@berkshireagventures.org.
We love to hear from our community!
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We love what we do. But we can’t do this alone. We need you.
Your help directly supports our local food producers and the greater Berkshire-Taconic community.
Your investment in our Revolving Loan Fund is 100% used to distribute low-interest loans (0-2%) to local farmers and food producers. That capital continues to grow and is recycled back, creating a viable and reliable stream of support for agricultural entrepreneurs.
Join us and invest in your local food community today.
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Special Thanks to Our Supporters
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