Local Meat Processing Support Program

"Working with BAV has been a life changing experience. Through BAV and their partners I have become a more confident and strategic business owner, and leader. Without BAV I would've never been able to implement adding a smokehouse so soon in my business growth and with such confidence that it is the right strategic decision.”

Katie Adkins

Plymouth Meats | Terryville, CT

Lending and Grants Program

“BAV was a tremendous help with making our dream a reality. We could not have done our new project without their support and generosity. Even after the grant was given and the bridge loan was paid off, members of their team continued to reach out offering support.”



Katy and Brian Callahan

Uncle B’s Farm | Richmond, MA

Technical Business Assistance Program

“We are exceedingly grateful for BAV’s support in linking us up with a grant writer, a financial consultant, and for creating affordable pathways to project financing. Their support as an institution has been instrumental to the success of our grant application!”

Rory Chase

Chaseholm Farm Creamery | Pine Plains, NY

Climate Smart Agriculture Program

"BAV's important to small farms like us because they offer a variety of services that help us remain financially viable into the future. It’s all been really helpful in refining some of our climate mitigation and adaptation practices.”

Alison Basdekis

Shaker Creek Farm | East Nassau, NY

Market Match Fund

"The North Adams Farmers Market is incredibly grateful for the huge support BAV provides to our market match program, and how easy the process is. Their support has ensured this program thrives and keeps up with demand. We can’t thank you enough for all you do!"



Suzy Helme

North Adams Farmers Market

Raven & Boar Takes Next Step, Processes Animals for Sausages, Charcuterie

"Thanks to collaborative technical support grants from Hudson Valley Agribusiness, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures and Columbia Economic Development Corp., Duke was able to work with Julia Shanks, a trained chef and author with an MBA, on business planning and grant writing. With Shanks’s help, Duke received a Value-Added Producer Grant from the USDA."

Read the Times Union article

Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Market Season Begins

"Markets will run every third Saturday of the month through April 20, 2024. SNAP matching at the Winter Farmers Markets is funded by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures’ Market Match program."

Read the Greylock Glass article

Business Briefs: Spotlight on Tommy’s Compost Service

"As a parent and former teacher, Mary Stucklen saw composting as a way to help improve the future of the planet—and provide a value-add service to the community."

Read the Berkshire Edge article

Pitch Your Story for Field Notes: “In The Weeds”

Deadline for Submissions: Jan 10

March 10

Academy of Music Theatre| Northampton, MA

CISA’s Field Notes is a live storytelling event celebrating the many ways local food and farming leave their mark on our lives and in our communities. They're back for a 5th show on Sunday March 10th at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, and they're looking for storytellers!

Learn more and sign up

Winter Session: Exploring the Small Farm Dream

Wednesdays | Jan 17 – Feb 14

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Berkshire Athenaeum | Pittsfield, MA

This course offers guidance and resources to help make informed decisions about what’s involved with owning your own farm so you can decide whether or not to take the plunge and how to proceed in the first stages.

Learn more and sign up

Land For Good & MDAR's Farm Succession School

Wednesdays | Jan 31, Feb 28, March 27

9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Berkshire Athenaeum Library | Pittsfield, MA

This three-day winter course is an opportunity for senior generation farmers – with or without identified successors – to talk with peers, learn from advisors, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning.

Learn more and sign up

Wholesale Readiness Program for Food Entrepreneurs

Multiple dates | Jan 12 - May 17

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Virtual

Are you an early-stage, but established food entrepreneur selling a consumer packaged good or value-added product in the northeast? Are you primarily selling direct to consumer and ready to begin selling to stores (or more stores!) in your region? 

Learn more and sign up