Farmer Newsletter
Hi there!

We are getting this newsletter out to you a bit early this month with the holidays coming up.

Our winter programming is in full swing here at Berkshire Grown. We had our first Winter Farmers Market of the season, and it was so nice to see everyone again. We have our upcoming markets on December 19th in Great Barrington and December 20th in North Adams - we hope to see you there!

Our winter workshops registrations are open. You can find more info on that below or by clicking here!

Read on for more farmer programs and grant opportunities!

Best,
Jordan Archey
Program Manager, Business Members
Berkshire Grown 2023 Winter Workshop Registration Are Now Open!

Effectively Managing Diseases of Vegetables
Best Practices for Plant Disease Management Strategy
Presented by Meg McGrath
Wednesday, January 18th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

General tips will be presented that form the foundation of both organic and conventional disease management. Recommendations based on research results will be covered for cucurbit diseases (powdery and downy mildews, Phytophthora blight) and basil downy mildew. Additional diseases will be discussed based on grower input.

Meg McGrath is an Associate Professor with Cornell University. She conducts research and extension activities on optimizing management of diseases affecting vegetable crops and herbs within organic as well as conventional production systems. Research topics include investigating fungicide resistance in the cucurbit powdery and downy mildew pathogens, monitoring occurrence of diseases, and evaluating management practices.


Making Spreadsheets Work For Your Farm
Crop Planning & Record Keeping For Direct Sale Vegetable Farmers
Presented by Dan Kaplan
Tuesday, February 7th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

How do you grow over 50 different crops for 500 shareholders who are coming to coming to your farm to pick up 13lb of vegetables for 24 weeks? Explore the answer to this puzzle in this workshop, where Dan will present and review the spreadsheets that has kept his farm running over the years.

After seven years of working on farms in New England, California, and Europe, Dan Kaplan became the farm manager at Brookfield Farm in 1994 and stayed there until retiring at the end of the 2020 season. By 2006, Brookfield Farm annually grew 30 acres of vegetables which supplied a 500-share CSA for 10 months of distribution.
 
Profitable Meat Marketing
Pricing for Increased Profit & Sales
Presented by Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate, Cornell University
Tuesday, March 7th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

You are raising and selling local meat, but are you making a profit? 
Learn marketing techniques and how to use the NEW Cornell Meat Pricing Tool to develop prices that deliver a profit in every channel.

Matt has over 20 years of experience serving farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, non-profits, and consulting. Specializing in market strategy, Matt works with a diverse mix of produce and livestock farmers and food businesses. Career highlights include developing the Marketing Channel Assessment Tool for produce growers and the Cornell Meat Price Calculator.

Grazing School at Gould Farm
Best Practices for Pasture Management
Presented by Sarah Flack
Thursday, April 13th 9:00am-4:00pm
$40 Members/$50 Non-members
Presented in partnership with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

In this all-day on-farm workshop we will discuss the basics of how to set up a new grazing system, and how to troubleshoot and improve an existing one. We start the day from the perspective of pasture plants, and then shift to look at grazing from the perspective of the livestock. This will provide a solid understanding of how to meet the needs of the plants and livestock from the soil up. Topics will include how to use the “Graziers Toolbox” including varied stock densities, trampling and different regrowth periods, pre & post grazing heights to use livestock to improve the pastures as well as fertility inputs, soil testing and reseeding strategies. We will cover “Pasture Pitfalls” as we look at common problems and how to identify the cause and come up with low cost solutions. We will do the “Pasture Math” to calculate paddock sizes, acreage needs and stocking rates. We will look at how to maximize pasture intake for the livestock to lower feed costs and improve livestock wellbeing and productivity. We will also discuss how to observe and monitor the soils, plants and livestock to understand if our grazing systems are working the way we want them to, and what we can do to make them better.

Sarah is an author, consultant, and speaker who specializes in grass-based livestock farming systems. She takes a practical approach in applying the science of agronomy and grazing, with the goal of helping to create more farms with successful grass-based management systems, empowering farmers to create positive change for pastures, soils, livestock, and farmers quality of life. Sarah is author of The Art and Science of Grazing, among many other books about organic dairy production and grass-fed beef profitability.
Fund a Farmer Grant Applications Open!

FACT (Food Animal Concern Trust) awards competitive grants of up to $3,000 to working, independent farmers located in the 50 United States and five major U.S. territories who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys. Before submitting your online application, please read the complete set of eligibility guidelines below. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59pm CT on January 10, 2023 to be considered for this round of funding. Grants will be awarded in March 2023.

Berkshire Grown will be holding one hour grant grant editing assistance sessions on:
  • Wednesday, December 7th
  • Monday, December 12th
  • Wednesday, December 14th

If you would like us to assist you with editing your applications, please have a rough draft prepared in advance of your meeting. Email Jordan at jordan@berkshiregrown.org to inquire about meeting times.
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All applications will be submitted online through one main Fund-a-Farmer Grant application, no matter the type of project. To begin, applicants will be required to log-in or set-up an account in the Good Grants system. As in past years, FACT will fund the following:

Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals: FACT will fund projects that would help farms transition to pasture-based systems, expand animals’ access to well-managed pasture, and improve the quality of pasture for animals. Farmers do not need to hold or be seeking certification.

Grants for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification: These grants support farms that are pursuing one of three animal welfare certifications: Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and affiliated certifications by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Humane® Raised and Handled (HFAC), or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4 to 5+). Proposed projects do not necessarily have to address a particular standard required for certification. These grants will be made for on-farm projects that help improve animal welfare.

Grants for welfare-certified farmers: These grants are for projects that would help farms that already hold one of the certifications above to build capacity or maintain certification. These grants can be for on-farm production-related projects, or for other projects related to the marketing, sales, and distribution of welfare-certified products.

Farms and projects that fit into more than one category may indicate multiple types on the application form. Funding for grants made to farmers who are seeking certification or who already hold certification has been underwritten by generous support from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Additional funding for farms located within 200 miles of Chicago is available this year due to a grant from the Food:Land:Opportunity initiative.
Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 4:00 PM  8:00 PM
at Random Harvest (map)

This is a day centering care for BIPOC beings who farm, organize, teach, hold space and tend in so many ways. This event is open to all with the understanding that we are centering care for our beloved ones listed above.
Here is the flow for the day:
Opening Circle | 4 pm
Healing Sessions | 5 - 7 pm
Yoga | 7 pm

~ Free childcare provided ~
Calendly: Prebook your healing session here

This event will take place at
Random Harvest, 1785 State Route 23
Craryville, NY 12521
Workshop
& Assistance Opportunities from the Carrot Project

Will USDA Micro Farm Insurance work for you?
 
USDA Micro Farm Insurance is a NEW insurance policy with a new approach, covering more farm processes and products than other crop insurance programs have in the past. Explore if this program will work for your farm by participating in The Carrot Project’s workshops and other support services.
If you’re thinking about securing insurance coverage for the 2023 growing season, we encourage you to join us for one of the following workshops:
  • Thursday, December 1 in Vernon, CT
  • Tuesday, December 6 in Beverly, MA
  • Wednesday, December 7 and Friday, Dec 9, online
Applications for this season’s Micro Farm Insurance closes in March 2023, and it is highly encouraged to apply by the end of January to allow enough time for your application to be processed.


Take steps to improve your net income
Whether you’re looking for assistance outlining potential operational changes tailored to your farm, choosing products, or implementing value-added production in your farm operations and income stream, The Carrot Project is here to help you take the next step.
 
Your best plans start with good numbers. Here’s a few ways we can help:
  • Quick Books Office Hours: Sign up for help with your financial records. Register for the first group of sessions from November 29 to December 19 now!
  • Online Workshop: “When and How to Work with a Dedicated Bookkeeper,” January 4, 2023
  • Online Training Series: “Building Farm & Food Business Resilience: Adding Profitable Enterprises,” January 2023
 
If you are you considering value added production to improve your net income, here’s some more things we’ll help you consider:
 
  • Do I understand the regulations and licensing required to sell food, either for human or animal consumption?
  • Are non-food value-added products (with typically have fewer regulatory requirements than food) a better fit for my business and scale?
  • Am I ready to collect and send sales taxes to the government?
  • If not, is wholesale of my products a good option?
  • Have I assessed the opportunity costs? For example, with a limited labor pool for farm work, will my move into value-added take labor away from crop/animal production?
  • What might the added benefits be?
  • Could I use value-added production to operate year-round and provide a steady income to my employees, keep valued team members for years, and reduce time spent on seasonal hiring and training?

If you have further questions regarding these programs, please reach out to Jeff Cole (jcole@thecarrotproject.org) or Amanada Chang (achang@thecarrotprogect.org).
Nationwide Farmer, Rancher and Forest Manager Prospective Customer Survey






Who Should Take the Survey?
All farmers, ranchers and forest managers are encouraged to take the survey. Existing customers and prospective customers both provide unique perspectives we’d like to hear. We’d especially like to hear from a new audience this year of prospective customers, those who don’t know about us or have yet to work with us, and those who were unable to participate in the past.

Background
FSA, NRCS and RMA support agriculture by helping farmers, ranchers and forest managers leverage natural resources and mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance, conservation programs, farm safety net programs, lending and disaster programs. From helping farmers recover after natural disasters and market fluctuations, to providing financial and technical assistance to improve operations through voluntary conservation, these agencies work together in partnership with private landowners to protect and enhance the natural resources vital to our Nation.

Feedback Benefits
USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center works to improve services, making government agricultural programs more accessible, equitable and easier to use. Your survey feedback will assist FPAC agencies in learning about ways to enhance support and improve programs and services, increase access and advance equity for new and existing customers.

Thank You!
By taking the time to share your feedback, you are aiding government in helping all farmers, ranchers and forest managers secure the future of agriculture in the United States. Thank you for your partnership!

The Boston Local Food Program has announced the 12th Annual Local Food Trade Show of New England, taking place on March 1st, in-person at Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, MA. With an expected 130 food businesses, this B2B networking event is a great opportunity for food entrepreneurs and wholesale buyers to connect, explore new sales arrangements, and strengthen the New England food system. Our new venue, Russell's, is home to the largest winter farmers market in greater Boston and provides a unique, green, and accessible location to showcase some of the best New England food products.
 
Attendee Registration - $25 off Early-bird special until December 18th.
Attendee tickets ($60 before discount) include admission for up to two staff members, free parking, and lunch for purchase.

Exhibitor Registration - $25 off Early-bird special until December 18th.
Exhibitor Booths ($140 before discount) include a 6-foot table booth with chairs, parking, and lunch for purchase.
 
For a glimpse of what to expect from last year's program see here.
 
Reach out to Greg Nicaise (greg@sbnmass.org) if you have any questions.

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.