The approaching Fall Equinox means apple harvest. Photo by Angela Cardinali.

A Letter From BAV Program Manager Ben Crockett

Dear Friends,

Now that it’s September, I hope you are out enjoying the literal bounty from our Berkshire-Taconic farmers. I’ve come across amazing tomatoes, nectarines, chicken, chiles, and sweet corn in my recent travels, and know that there is even more to come as we approach the Fall Equinox (looking at you, apples and nut crops!). While harvests have varied across the Northeast, many farmers in our region have had a relatively good growing season, with conditions for everything from grass to gourds being more manageable than in 2022 and 2023.

As BAV’s Program Manager for Climate Smart Agriculture, I’ve discovered that climate change affects every farm differently, and that the challenges each farmer faces vary wildly based on topography, farm enterprises, and other factors. I’ve learned about a range of climate adaptation projects while providing climate risk assessments this year. Farmers are working on implementing everything from soil health improvements, managed grazing, and energy efficiency updates to agroforestry and precision irrigation projects, all designed to help them keep farming in the face of climate change.

Farmers’ experiences and challenges are the focus of BAV’s second annual climate change event, Farming in a Changing Climate, upcoming on Wednesday, September 18, from 5pm to 7pm (more details below). Also below is our September spotlight on Full Well Farm in Adams, MA. We’re grateful to Meg Bantle and Laura Tupper-Palches for sharing the story of their farm and climate-related projects.

I’m hopeful that farmers make it through the rest of the season without any big surprises, and that the efforts of everyone involved with growing food in our region come to (again, literal) fruition. As world leaders convene this Fall to address global climate change, BAV is proud to play a regional role in helping local farmers on the frontlines of extreme weather adapt to the challenges ahead, and here now.

Best,

Ben Crockett

Program Manager for Climate Smart Agriculture

UPCOMING EVENT: "FARMING IN A CHANGING CLIMATE"

Join BAV for Farming in a Changing Climate, Sept. 18, 5-7pm!

Are you concerned about climate change and the viability of local agriculture? Join BAV for Farming in a Changing Climate, our second annual climate event ahead of Climate Week NYC to raise awareness of climate-related challenges facing farmers in our region. This community gathering takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5pm to 7pm at the Greenagers Barn on April Hill Farm in South Egremont, MA. There will be an opportunity to tour the farm beginning at 4pm.

Presenters include climate and agriculture specialist Sara Kelemen, BAV Program Manager Ben Crockett, and farmers Sarah Chase of Chaseholm Farm, Sarah Monteiro of Greenagers, and Lauren Piotrowski of Roots Rising.

Event details follow below. We encourage all who are interested to register today! Tickets are Choose What You Pay, with all proceeds supporting BAV’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program. Please RSVP by Sunday, Sept. 16.

Food, land, community, and climate-focused growing practices all come together on a beautiful no-till farm in Adams, MA. A sixth-generation farmer in the northern Berkshires, Meg Bantle and her business partner Laura Tupper-Palches founded Full Well Farm in 2018. They grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers on three-quarters of an acre of permanent, no-till beds. 

“Meg and Laura are intrepid leaders in the northern Berkshires farming community,” said Ben Crockett, BAV Program Manager for Climate Smart Agriculture. “Full Well Farm creates material economic and social impact through their CSA community and direct wholesale relationships.” 

The farm is located on a converted hayfield on the Burnett Farm property, where Meg’s grandparents ran their dairy business for forty years. “I grew up here. It feels really good to provide a service that wouldn’t be here if we didn’t exist,” Meg said. The farm puts a special emphasis on food justice and food access to ensure that its communities get fed.

BAV has been a valued partner in Full Well’s journey since its inception, providing technical assistance regarding hand-scale no-till techniques and strategies to design and fund greenhouse capacity. “BAV is a unicorn of an organization,” Meg reflected, with a laugh. “They fill this really unique role and we are so grateful they exist.” ...

Photo: Meg Bantle (left) and Laura Tupper-Palches of Full Well Farm.

BTW Berkshires Highlights Two Connecticut Farms

Our thanks to Kate Abbott of BTW Berkshires for her evocative articles on Adamah Farm and Howling Flats Farm in Falls Village and Canaan, CT, respectively. Kate joined BAV for last month’s “Summer in the Field” farm tour for BAV supporters and friends, listening closely and taking notes as the amazing farmers at each farm shared their stories and described how BAV has helped support their growth. BAV is honored to work with both farms!

Janna Siller, farm director and advocacy coordinator of Adamah Farm. Photo by Kate Abbott.

BCD and BAV Support On-Farm Pollinator Habitats

The Berkshire Conservation District (BCD), with matching funding from BAV, has provided grant funding to Berkshire County farmers to encourage the addition of plants that benefit pollinators on their farmland. Through a Pollinator and Native Plant Initiative, the goal is to promote on-farm pollinator habitats and support healthy soil practices. Farms that benefited from this program so far include Musante Farm in Dalton and Gould Farm in Monterey. There is limited funding available at this point for additional farmers.

New pollinator gardens installed at Gould Farm. Photo courtesy of Gould Farm.

FARMER EVENTS & RESOURCES

Thursday, Sept. 5, 6-8pm

Planning for the Future of Your Farmland: A workshop for farmers organized by American Farmland Trust and Land for Good. Held at the Guthrie Center in Great Barrington, MA.

Saturday, Sept. 7, 10am-1pm

Wild Mushroom Foray at Siuslaw Model Forest: A fun scavenger hunt organized by the Agroforestry Resource Center in Acra, NY. 

Sunday, Sept. 8, 3-6:30pm

How to Love a Forest: Join Columbia Land Conservancy and author and forester Ethan Tapper to explore this question and discuss actions individuals can take to protect important forest ecosystems. Schor Conservation Area, East Chatham, NY.

Monday, Sept. 9, 4-7pm

The Benefits and Pitfalls of Borrowed Land: Organized by C.R.A.F.T., a tour and talk led by Molly Comstock at Many Forks Farm in Clarksburg, MA.

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5-7pm

Farming in a Changing Climate: Organized by BAV, this second annual community climate event includes presentations by area farmers and climate experts. Held at Greenagers’ Barn on the April Hill Farm in South Egremont, MA. Optional farm tour begins at 4pm.

Saturday, Sept. 21

Farm Aid Festival 2024: All-day music festival raising money to promote and support a family farm system of agriculture. Held in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29

2024 Draft Animal Power Field Days: Held at Orange County Farmer Museum in Montgomery, NY.

September-October

Cornell Small Farms Program offers a range of September-October courses on topics including farm start-up for new and aspiring farmers, biological monitoring, QuickBooks for farmers, and more. Courses combine reading, discussion, and webinars. Pricing is tiered based on income. Click on Sep-Oct tab to view upcoming course selections.

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BAV is helping our farms and food systems adapt to the challenges of climate change. This work is made possible by the generosity of our donor community. Join us in strengthening our communities by making a gift today.