Keep Farmers Farming!
Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local farms, creates community partnerships that connect people to local food, and builds an equitable and resilient food system that strengthens local food security.
A strong farm economy and a resilient food system where everyone in the community has access to fresh locally grown food.
“An organization like Berkshire Grown that can represent farmers and provide an interface between customers and farms is really important”
Topher Sabot, Cricket Creek Farm
Staff & Board
Sarah Gardner, President
Peter Platt, Vice President
Katherine Hand, Treasurer
Lee Venolia, Secretary
Kate Bailey
Allison Rachele Bayles
Ariel Bock
Tu Le
Nick Martinelli
Dawn Masiero
Laura Tupper
Sharon Wyrrick
Molly Comstock
Tom Curtin
Amy Rudnick
Barbara Zheutlin
Growing Strong Since 1985
Berkshire Grown’s roots reach back to 1985 when a group of community members grew concerned with the loss of farms in Berkshire County. They started Berkshire Regional Food & Land Council to raise awareness about Berkshire farms and develop local food networks. This group evolved into Berkshire Grown, which continues connecting community members with farms to build a strong local agricultural economy and keep farmers farming.
Racial Equity & Land Acknowledgement
At Berkshire Grown, we stand with those fighting for racial equity and justice. We recognize that local agriculture’s rich history in the Berkshires includes the contributions and sacrifices of Black people who transformed these soils into farmland centuries ago. However, their descendants still face significant inequity in farmland ownership in the Northeast. Acknowledging this, we commit to addressing these disparities and building a just food system locally and nationally. We invite you to explore resources on food justice, support BIPOC farmers, and learn about the land and its original stewards, the Muh-he-con-ne-ok (Mohican) people.