Hello,
Here's your mothly collection of updates, events and opportunities in the region!
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
- Grant Opportunity (Correction)-BCD Seed Reimbursement Mini-Grant
- Upcoming Events
Warmly,
Alyssa VanDurme
Program Manager, Business Members
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Updates from the Berkshire Grown Office |
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Berkshire Grown's 2024 Guide to Local Food & Farms is here!
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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 September 2024.
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BCD Seed Mini-Grant Program
The Berkshire Conservation District, with a goal of increasing adoption of soil health best management practices in conjunction with the District’s goal of offering equitable and inclusive equipment lending opportunities to farmers, will reimburse participating producers for seed inputs that increase soil health.
As such, farm seed increases soil health by feeding biological activity in agricultural soils, while sequestering carbon and reducing vulnerability to erosion, soil physical structure loss, soil aggregate stability and
water infiltration.
This opportunity is made possible by grant funding from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through the FY23 Berkshire Conservation District ‘Regenerative Farming Best Practices Initiative’.
Grant awards are first-come first-served basis. Applicants who are already using or interested in Best Management Practices are preferred (as identified in the Massachusetts Massachusetts Healthy Soil Action Plan).
What to expect: Applicants will receive a 75% grant or up to $800 of the cost of purchased seed, or 100% grant if spending is less than $200. Unused funds dispersed to farmers and not spent by September 30th, 2024 will be returned to the District.
Timeline: Applications close June 25th, 2024. Checks will be sent out as applications are received. Grant reporting will be conducted by the Program Manager within 3 months of award payment in the form of a phone call or site visit.
Who qualifies: Berkshire County farmers are prioritized, with funding available to those outside Berkshire County as program funds become available. One payment per farm operation. Cannabis and hemp producers are excluded at this time.
How to apply: Proof of material purchase dated after October 2023 required to apply, along with a completed W9 Form.
Call or Text questions to Ambrose, Program Manager at 413-347-9503
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BERKSHIRE-TACONIC GRAZING WORKSHOP - JULY 15TH & 16TH
Berkshire Grown with Berkshire Ag Ventures is hosting a 2-day workshop with Sarah Flack, taking place on farms throughout the Berkshire-Taconic region.
This grazing workshop aims to educate grazing land managers and new graziers about sustainable grazing techniques, demonstrate different approaches to climate-smart grazing, and identify opportunities to improve grazing practices. |
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We also hope that this workshop is a place for graziers to connect with each other and with conservation technicians to create ongoing grazing education support networks .
Monday, July 15th will feature grass-based and organic livestock production consultant Sarah Flack, providing a Sustainable Grazing Management workshop at Gould Farm in Monterey, MA, followed by guided pasture walks at Gould Farm and at The Farm in New Marlborough, MA. As the workshop concludes for the day, we invite you to stay and join us for a networking dinner BBQ at The Farm in New Marlborough, MA, featuring their meats, local side dishes and beverages.
On Tuesday, July 16th Sarah Flack will guide a tour to 3 grass-fed livestock farms across the Taconic region of NY:
Lunch, coffee & snacks will be provided on both days, along with the post-workshop networking dinner on July 15th. Registration is $35, or $15 for limited resource and BIPOC farmers. Read more and register here. |
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BERKSHIRE CONSERVATION & NRCS SOIL HEALTH EVENT - July 16th
Berkshire Conservation District will host an afternoon of soil health in-field test demonstrations, no-till equipment demonstration, a Sorghum Sudangrass planting tour at High Lawn Farm and FREE ICE CREAM for participants. We will answer questions like, "What do soil microbes have to do with ice cream flavor?"
The NRCS Soil Health Trailer will be on site to demonstrate rainfall effects on various soil types and conditions, as well as offering free pXRF soil screenings for lead, arsenic or other heavy metals using XRF equipment.
Contact Ambrose Clausen (he/they), Program Manager at
(413) 347-9503,
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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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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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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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