Berkshire Grown seeks an experienced fundraiser to join the team as Development Director. The Development Director will be a thought partner with the Executive Director and Board to envision immediate and long-term development strategies for the growing nonprofit organization. The ideal candidate will be a curious and creative thinker responsible for developing, implementing and measuring a successful and comprehensive fundraising program to support the local food system in the Berkshires. They will be a team player with strong communication skills and an organized work style, with experience in managing several projects at once.  READ MORE HERE.

To Apply:

Email a current resume and a cover letter describing your interest in joining the Berkshire Grown team, and specifically talk about how your experience as a Development professional makes you a strong candidate for this job.

Send email to: jobs@berkshiregrown.org

No phone calls, please.

Registration for the 2023 Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops is open! Featuring four different and informative topics. All virtual workshops will be presented on the Zoom platform. Grazing School, held in April and an all day workshop, led by Sarah Flack will be in person.

Advance registration required.  Zoom links to the workshops will be emailed the day before for each workshop. For more information, contact Jordan Archey, Program Manager for Business Members, at jordan@berkshiregrown.org

Not a Member? Join Berkshire Grown Business Membership and receive discounts on these workshops, as well as receiving other great benefits aimed to help your farm or food business grow. Click here for more information.

Effectively Managing Diseases of Vegetables
Best Practices for Plant Disease Management Strategy
Wednesday, January 18th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

General tips will be presented that form the foundation of both organic and conventional disease management. Recommendations based on research results will be covered for cucurbit diseases (powdery and downy mildews, Phytophthora blight) and basil downy mildew. Additional diseases will be discussed based on grower input.
Presented by: Meg McGrath
Meg McGrath is an Associate Professor with Cornell University located at the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center since 1988.  She conducts research and extension activities on optimizing management of diseases affecting vegetable crops and herbs within organic as well as conventional production systems.  Research topics include investigating fungicide resistance in the cucurbit powdery and downy mildew pathogens, monitoring occurrence of diseases, and evaluating management practices: fungicides, biopesticides and other organic fungicides, resistant varieties, cultural practices including reduced tillage and mustard biofumigation.

Making Spreadsheets Work For Your Farm
Crop Planning & Record Keeping For Direct Sale Vegetable Farmers
Tuesday, February 7^th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

How do you grow over 50 different crops for 500 shareholders who are coming to coming to your farm to pick up 13lb of vegetables for 24 weeks? Explore the answer to this puzzle in this workshop, where Dan will present and review the spreadsheets that has kept his farm running over the years.

Presented by: Dan Kaplan
After seven years of working on farms in New England, California, and Europe, Dan Kaplan became the farm manager at Brookfield Farm in 1994 and stayed there until retiring at the end of the 2020 season. By 2006, Brookfield Farm annually grew 30 acres of vegetables which supplied a 500-share CSA for 10 months of distribution.

Profitable Meat Marketing
Pricing for Increased Profit & Sales
Tuesday, March 7^th 6:00-8:00pm
$10 Members/$15 Non-members

You are raising and selling local meat, but are you making a profit? 
Learn marketing techniques and how to use the NEW Cornell Meat Pricing Tool to develop prices that deliver a profit in every channel.

Presented by: Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate, Cornell University
Matt has over 20 years of experience serving farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, non-profits, and consulting. Specializing in market strategy, Matt works with a diverse mix of produce and livestock farmers and food businesses. Career highlights include developing the Marketing Channel Assessment Tool for produce growers and the Cornell Meat Price Calculator.

Grazing School at Gould Farm
Best Practices for Pasture Management
Thursday, April 13^th 9:00am-4:00pm
$40 Members/$50 Non-members
Presented in partnership with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures

In this all-day workshop we will discuss the basics of how set up a new grazing system, and how to troubleshoot and improve an existing one. We start the day from the perspective of pasture plants, and then shift to look at grazing from the perspective of the livestock. This will provide a solid understanding of how to meet the needs of the plants and livestock from the soil up. Topics will include how to use the “Graziers Toolbox” including varied stock densities, trampling and different regrowth periods, pre & post grazing heights to use livestock to improve the pastures as well as fertility inputs, soil testing and reseeding strategies. We will cover “Pasture Pitfalls” as we look at common problems and how to identify the cause and come up with low cost solutions. We will do the “Pasture Math” to calculate paddock sizes, acreage needs and stocking rates. We will look at how to maximize pasture intake for the livestock to lower feed costs and improve livestock wellbeing and productivity. We will also discuss how to observe and monitor the soils, plants and livestock so that we can better understand if our grazing systems are working the way we want them to, and what we can do to make them better.

Presented by: Sarah Flack
Sarah is an author, consultant, and speaker who specializing in grass-based livestock farming systems.  She takes a practical approach in applying the science of agronomy and grazing, combined with farm business planning, to allow farmers to make well informed decisions.  Her goal is to help create more farms with successful grass-based management systems, empowering farmers to create positive change for pastures, soils, livestock, and farmers quality of life.  Sarah is author of The Art and Science of Grazing,  Organic Dairy Production and co author of The Organic Dairy Handbook, Vermont Grass-Based Beef Profitability: Lessons and Budgets, and Transitioning to Organic Dairy as well as many articles.

Register here or use the form below.

Funding Available for Livestock Producers in Western Massachusetts

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, in partnership with American Farmland Trust, will be accepting applications for financial assistance for Land Management activities through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Livestock producers in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties are eligible for this program. Applications are accepted year-round, but the deadlines for fiscal year 2023 will be February 17, 2023 and May 19, 2023.

This funding is part of the Western New England Regenerative Agriculture RCPP project, focused on increasing the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in Western New England livestock farms through technical and financial assistance opportunities. These funds will assist livestock producers in implementing conservation practices to improve soil health or protect water quality. Examples of eligible projects include prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting, cover crop planting, pollinator habitats, and more.

To learn more, visit the project website, or reach out to Sarah Heller, project manager, at sheller@farmland.org.

Food Security Infrastructure FY2024 Grant (FSIG) Program RFR on COMMBUYS 

COMMBUYS direct link here. Deadline March 2, 2023

Program seeks to ensure that farmers, fisherman and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption, as well as ensuring that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to food, with a special focus on food that is produced locally and food that is equitably accessible.

FSIG Program details here.

Massachusetts Farm Energy Program Grants & Deadlines

Rural Energy For America Program (REAP)

The next REAP deadline for renewable energy and energy efficiency grants and loan guarantees is March 31, 2023. For more information on applying, click here, and please note that the percentage of project costs applicants can request has recently increased from 25% to 40%. MFEP will be hosting a webinar about applying to this grant in February, so be on the lookout for more information, coming soon. If you have questions about the REAP grant in the meantime, email the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program or call 413-727-3090.

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources CSAP Grant

MDAR’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) grant will reopen in the spring of 2023. If you have questions about the CSAP grant, email MFEP or call 413-727-3090.

Grant Application Assistance

Need help with your MDAR or REAP grant application? The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program helps farms prepare these applications at no cost. REAP applications can be submitted any time, so contact us now

USDA Announces Additional Assistance for Dairy Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the details of additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The update to PMVAP and the new ODMAP will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations who weathered the pandemic and now face other challenges.

“The Biden-Harris administration continues to fulfill its commitments to fill gaps in pandemic assistance for producers. USDA is announcing a second set of payments of nearly $100 million to close-out the $350 million commitment under PMVAP through partnerships with dairy handlers and cooperatives to deliver the payments,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is also announcing new assistance targeted to small to medium size organic dairy farmers to help with anticipated marketing costs as they face a variety of challenges from weather to supply-chain challenges.”

Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program

PMVAP assists producers who received a lower value due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic and ensuing Federal policies. As a result of the production cap increase, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will make PMVAP payments to eligible dairy farmers for fluid milk sales between 5 million and 9 million pounds from July through December 2020. This level of production was not eligible for payment under the first round of the PMVAP. Payment rates will be identical to the first round of payments, 80 percent of the revenue difference per month, on fluid milk sales from 5 million to 9 million pounds from July through December 2020. USDA will again distribute monies through agreements with independent handlers and cooperatives, with reimbursement to handlers for allowed administrative costs. USDA will contact handlers with eligible producers to notify them of the opportunity to participate.

As part of the first round, PMVAP paid eligible dairy farmers on up to 5 million pounds of fluid milk sales from July through December 2020. The first round of payments distributed over $250 million in payments to over 25,000 eligible dairy farmers. These dairy farmers received the full allowable reimbursement on fluid milk sales up to 5 million pounds.

More information about the PMVAP production cap increase is available at www.ams.usda.gov/pmvap.

Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program

The new ODMAP, to be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is intended to help smaller organic dairy farms that have faced a unique set of challenges and higher costs over the past several years that have been compounded by the ongoing pandemic and drought conditions across the country. Many small organic dairy operations are now struggling to stay in business and FSA plans to provide payments to cover a portion of their estimated marketing costs for 2023. Final spending will depend on enrollment and each producers projected production, but ODMAP has been allocated up to $100 million.

The assistance provided by ODMAP will be provided through unused Commodity Credit Corporation funds remaining from earlier pandemic assistance programs. The assistance will help eligible organic dairy producers with up to 75 percent of their future projected marketing costs in 2023, based on national estimates of marketing costs. This assistance will be provided through a streamlined application process based on a national per hundredweight payment. The payments will be capped at the first five million pounds of anticipated production, in alignment with preexisting dairy programs that target assistance to those smaller dairies that are most vulnerable to marketing challenges. This program is still in development.

Details about the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program will be available and updated at www.farmers.gov as more details are released in a Notice of Funds Availability later this year.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

Two Dairy Producer Grant Opportunities

The new Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant is now open! Projects funded through this program will support dairy processors in gaining knowledge that will allow them to make informed, long-term business investments with positive environmental and/or economic impacts.

Licensed dairy processors and producer associations from the Northeast are invited to apply. Educational or research institutions may apply but are required to partner with a minimum of two Northeast-based dairy processors.

Grants will range from $75,000 to $250,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Total funds available: $1,000,000.

The Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant offers $12 million in funding to help processing facilities located in the Northeast expand utilization of regionally sourced milk. The grant focuses on acquiring specialized equipment needed to increase processing capacity through volume expansion and existing product line expansion.  The Request For Applications for this multi-tier grant was released on January 31, and the first round of applications opens March 16. Click here for more information.

These two dairy processing grants are open to applicants in the 11 Northeast state region: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

As in the past, the indoor winter markets will feature the abundance of local grown and produced foods found in the Berkshires. We invite you to come meet your local farmers, shop their products and support the local food economy.

All markets are from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. and are free and open to the  public. Although masks are not mandatory, wearing one is encouraged.

Admission is always free. SNAP/HIP and benefits are accepted at all markets. Market Match helps boost food budgets by matching the balance on SNAP shoppers’ EBT cards. At the Berkshire Grown Winter Farmers Markets, we accept SNAP and HIP and provide a 100% for match the SNAP balance on your card, up to $25. Visit the Market Managers for EBT, tokens and maps. 

See you at the Market!

Applications for our annual Winter Farmers Markets are now available. Market space is limited: farmers, returning vendors, and food producers using local ingredients are prioritized. However, we encourage all interested vendors to contact Martha Suquet, market manager, to discuss the application process.

The Winter Farmers Markets will be held at the Housy Dome in Housatonic/Great Barrington, and at Greylock WORKS in North Adams/Williamstown. Market dates are:

Please review our current market vendor regulations here. Please note that Covid-19 regulations are subject to change.

Thank you for your interest; we are looking forward to a great market season!

Martha Jackson Suquet

Winter Market Manager

Berkshire Grown’s Guide to Local Food and Farms is the region’s most comprehensive guide to farms, farmers markets, and restaurants offering local foods — use it to find farm stands, CSA farms, pick-your-own farms and orchards, as well as locally sourced value-added products like charcuterie, preserves, and fermented foods. Learn where SNAP, HIP, Market Match and other benefits are offered at farm stands and grocers in the Berkshire region as well as a reference section for the food pantries spread across the county. Keep the 2022 Guide to Local Farms & Foods handy and use it frequently!

Did you know you can plan a trip and ride the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Bus to some of the Farmers Markets? Click here for the current bus routes.