Farmer Newsletter
Hi there!

Hope this finds you well and in a good rhythm with spring and your farms.

As the coming weeks hum along I'm excited to get to know as many of the Berkshires farmers and food producers as I can. A big part of my job is to develop helpful programs for farmers, and I look forward to discussing how we can make them work for you. Over the summer I'll be listening as much as I can to learn what would be useful to you all, and plan our winter workshop season accordingly.

I am especially focused on our program that facilitates farmer-to-farmer consultations. If you're working through any given management areas, be it in specific crop production practices, livestock husbandry, or even marketing efforts, we have funding to facilitate a relationship with other farmers who may have navigated similar situations.

If there are short or long term goals that you're focused on developing for your farm, please reach out and we can discuss what opportunities might be out there to take advantage of, or other ways Berkshire Grown can work for you.

Some updates in this month's letter:
  • Grazing Workshop at Gould Farm
  • NOFA MASS Farmer to Farmer program for producers interested in, or in process of transitioning to Organic;
  • Year-end Survey Drawing Results - and the winners are...
  • Food Safety Improvement Program Grant application nearing deadline;
  • Freezer space for rent!
  • NE Food Vision Prize for Non-profit organizations in farming and food working with education institutions;

Thanks!
Ian Brunell
Program Manager, Business Members
In Mid-April, livestock farmers gathered at Gould Farm for Berkshire Grown’s final workshop of the 2022-2023 winter season, co-sponsored by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures. At the full-day Grazing School, pasture management expert Sarah Flack focused on optimizing grazing from both the plants’ and animals’ perspectives.
Attendees learned about pasture plant identification, rotational grazing plans, evaluating pasture quality, and more. Through this spring and summer, we'll be planning workshops for next Winter. If you find yourself thinking of something on your farm that would make for a good farmer learning event, feel free to contact me at ian@berkshiregrown.org
Please feel free to contact me at ian@berkshiregrown.org
for more details if you're interested.
Berkshire Grown's 2022 Year End Survey

The annual Farmer Year-End Survey enables us to understand the needs and priorities of our farmer members, to shape our programming effectively, and to secure funding to continue our work. A special thanks to all who participated!
 
All participants of the survey were entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to the Prairie Whale or the Break Room. Thanks to all those who participated! We are happy to announce the winners from this year's drawing of survey participants:

A Special Congratulations to
Jim and Kathleen of Elderberry Springs Farm
and
Skip Hobbs of Mountain Falls Farm

Thank you for your time in completing the 2022 year-end survey, and for all you do to feed our community and enrich life in the Berkshires.
Application Period Now Open for Climate Smart, Food Safety, Cranberry Bog Renovation, and Food Venture Programs
Open Application Period for MDAR’s Grant Programs

MDAR's grants are available to help agricultural operations with business planning and technical assistance, as well as to make farm improvements that enhance their economic viability, help prevent negative impacts to environmental resource, adapt and mitigate climate change, improve energy efficiency, and adopt renewable energy technologies. In addition, grants are available to help fund projects that support food ventures in low- or moderate-income communities, and urban agriculture projects. Applicants are encouraged to review the information and application on the individual program’s webpage. If interested in applying, applications must be submitted with any supporting documentation by the program’s deadline.

Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)
CSAP links MDAR's water, energy and climate grants together into one application. This includes the Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies (ACRE) Program, the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP), and the Agricultural Energy Grant Program (ENER). This program continues the goals of the three individual grants by implementing projects that help the agricultural sector adapt to climate change, mitigate climate change, reducing or preventing impacts to natural resources that may result from agricultural practices, and that improve energy efficiency and facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies.

The CSAP grant is broken into two sections:
  • Section I: Environment is for environmental projects such as soil health, water use efficiency, or other projects working towards reducing or limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Section II: Energy is Ag-Energy projects to improve energy efficiency or to facilitate clean energy adoption.
Applicants can apply to either or both sections.

Participants selected for funding under either section are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.
Applications due: 4:00PM on Friday, May 26, 2023

For more information contact:
Section I: Environment - Laura Maul at (857) 507-5972 or at Laura.Maul@mass.gov
Section II Energy - Gerry Palano at (617) 626-1706 or at Gerald.Palano@mass.gov

Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)
AFSIP is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.
Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.

Applications due: 4:00PM on Friday, May 26, 2023

For more information, contact Laura Maul at (857) 507-5972 or at Laura.Maul@mass.gov

Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (MFVP)
The goal of MFVP is to increase access to healthy, affordable food options and improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities. The MFVP will provide funding through grants to support food ventures, sited primarily in or near communities of low or moderate income, including Gateway Cities and rural communities. The MFVP will help implement goals of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan and contribute to the financing needs of local Massachusetts food enterprises. With expanded investment, completed projects will improve access to Massachusetts grown, harvested or caught food products through the development of collaborations with local agricultural enterprises and private/public entities. Key areas for investment include: food processing infrastructure to meet the needs of the expanding local food system; improved distribution systems to support opportunities for equitable access to fresh local food; and retail outlet strategies that enhance access to healthy food.
 
Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 50% of total project costs up to $250,000.

Applications due: 4:00PM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
For more information, contact Rose Arruda at Rose.Arruda@mass.gov
 
Attention Livestock Farmers -
Freezer Space Available for Rent!
Berkshire Grown currently has space to rent to local livestock farmers
for freezer storage at a Great Barrington farm location. Please spread the word and reach out to maeve@berkshiregrown.org to express interest.

Walk-in Freezer Details:
· 12' x 12' x 8' freezer
· Price: $40/month per pallet or any portion of a pallet – no deposit required.
· Availability: first come, first served basis.
· Access: Key code lock box or by appointment with a BG staff member.
· Shelving is available upon request (currently limited).
· Lease agreement required.
The 2023 New England Food Vision Prize will award up to $1 million in awards to projects that build resiliency, relationships, and capacity within New England’s educational institution food supply chain. Prize awards may range from $25,000 up to $200,000.
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.
Facebook ‌ Instagram ‌