Hello, I hope this finds you well as we are steadily climing into the busy season.
I will keep this month's newsletter brief, as I am sure you are deeply engrossed in all things field prepping, planting, caring for young livestock, etc. - and the first weeks of the summer farmers market season are here!
Please don't hesiate to reach out if there is any way that I, or Berkshire Grown, can be of support!
In this month's farmer newsletter:
- Updates from the Berkshire Grown Office
- General Announcements
- Upcoming Events
Take good care,
Alyssa VanDurme
Program Manager, Business Members
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2023 - A Year of Tremendous Growth for Berkshire Grown! |
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We are thrilled to share Berkshire Grown's very first Impact Report with you.
This report is a snapshot of the incredible progress and positive changes we have made together over the past year.
Inside you'll find stories and numbers that showcase the impact of our collective efforts, the challenges we've overcome, and our goals for the future.
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FARMER & FOOD EVENTS CALENDAR
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Are you looking for guidance or technical assistance in a particular area of your business?
Our Technical Assistance program facilitates farmer-to-farmer consultation in areas such as marketing, business planning, financial analysis, food safety requirements, sustainable practices, diversification, and/or value-added production.
We’re here to help facilitate a relationship between you and other farmers who may have navigated similar situations and can offer assistance. Funding for this program is available through 2024.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAROLD GRINSPOON FARMER AWARD RECIPIENTS!
This award has helped fund 100 projects throughout the state this year, with 17 in Berkshire County!
Congratulations to: Ayrhill Farms, Bigfoot Farm, Bittersweet Farm, Caretaker Farm, Dancing Greens Farm, Reusable Harvest Bins & Cart, Forthill Farm, Hidden Mountain Farm, Holiday Brook Farm, Joshua’s Farm, Lion’s Tooth Farm, Musante Farm, Olsen Farm, Red Shirt Farm, Stanton Home, Taft Farms, The Farm New Marlborough, and Woodlife Ranch.
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UPDATE FROM NRCS
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program:
Wetlands Reserve Easements
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If you are a landowner interested in taking farmed or converted wetlands on your land out of production and restoring them, consider applying to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for their Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetlands Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE).
The ACEP-WRE program is designed to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands previously degraded by agricultural use. Eligible lands include converted wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored. Landowners, including American Indian tribes, who have owned their land for at least two years are encouraged to apply.
As part of this program, NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners for wetland restoration and protection.
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Preserve the Valley Program
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Interested in selling value-added products at your farm stand, through your CSA, or at wholesale?
Farmers deliver the key ingredients to Greenfield and our team will process, bottle, label and pack, providing the additional ingredients, jar, lid, label and case—all for a flat fee.
Summer 2024 processing slots are filling up fast—learn more at WMFPC.org. And don’t forget to check out the MA Ag Innovation Center for value-added enterprise planning support. We can also help you develop your own products!
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“A Local Food Business Guide to Online SNAP”
You can check it out HERE.
About the Guide:
With the help of Forage and Activate Food Arizona, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to aid businesses in understanding their eligibility and navigating the implementation process seamlessly. Check out the Guide if you'd like to learn more about:
✔️ Online SNAP eligibility
✔️ Next steps for implementing SNAP Online
✔️ SNAP Match through LFM
✔️ Email templates to utilize when contacting FNS
... and much more!
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Livestock Farmers’ Resource Guide
Attention Livestock farmers!
Inside the guide, you can find details for processors, regional transportation, cold storage, and sales options.
This resource will continue to expand, so check back again if you find it useful - and let us know, at localmeatprocessingsp@gmail.com if there are other tabs or entries you'd like to see in this guide!
If you offer relevant services, or know of someone that does, and would like to be included in our resource lists, please fill out this entry form.
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C.R.A.F.T. Farm Tours
The Collabortative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (C.R.A.F.T) has opened their farm tours to all farmers. The tours occur on Monday evenings throughout the season and the region. Each visit includes an overview of the farm as well as a hands-on demonstration of one or two specific topics. Use the link below to view the schedule.
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NOFA Mass has a variety of events scheduled this spring - learn about tranisitoning to organic, soil health, compost tea, no-till practices, and much more.
View their calendar of events to learn what's happening this spring at NOFA Mass!
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TRISTATE SARE PROJECT PRESENTS:
Pasture Based Systems for Sustainable Livestock Production
Wednesday, June 26th from 9 am - 12 pm
Oak Hollow Livestock - Shelburne Falls, MA
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Berkshire Grown's mission is to Keep Farmers Farming!
We support and promote local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community by networking farmers and food buyers, promoting locally-grown food, and increasing community access to local food.
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