Alert from MDAR!

The MDAR is advising backyard and commercial poultry owners to practice strong biosecurity measures to prevent domestic poultry from having contact with wild birds. Specifically for birds trying to attain or maintain “Organic” certification, this may mean temporarily confining the birds inside […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021

Throughout this Summer Podcast Series, Berkshire Grown hears from farmers and agricultural professionals from in and beyond the Berkshires to learn about the different ways farmers’ farm and get their products to market.  In these 30-45 minute interviews produced by […]

Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program and encourages eligible entities to apply now for funds. Applications must be submitted electronically through the grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by 11:59 p.m. Eastern […]

USDA Sets October 12 Deadline for CFAP 2

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021-Susan Sellew, Rawson Brook Farm

August 30, Episode 5: Susan Sellew, Rawson Brook Farm (Monterey, MA). In this episode Andrea revisits the topic of goats from the dairy side of things with none other than the incredible and legendary Monterey Chevre cheesemaker and Rawson Brook […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021-Ben Blaustein, Rock City Mushrooms

August 23, Episode 4: Ben Blaustein of Rock City Mushrooms (Columbia County, NY) Located at Dogwood Farm, Rock City Mushrooms cultivates three types of mushrooms indoors and sells both at market and to restaurants.  This fun conversation touches on mushrooms […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021-Evan Thayer-Null, Abode Farm

August 16, Episode 3: Evan Thayer-Null, Abode Farm (New Lebanon, NY) Evan Thayer-Null runs Abode Farm where they combine draft horse and tractor power to grow food for their CSA.  In this conversation, Andrea and Evan talk about their experiences […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021-Sara Davis, Oak Hollow Livestock

August, 9-Episode 2: Sara Davis, Oak Hollow Livestock (Shelburne Falls, MA) Sara Davis is a goat farmer in the hills of western Massachusetts where she raises Boer meat goats, Saanen dairy goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and more! She’s an extremely […]

Technical Assistance Opportunities for Farmers 

Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops 2023

Registration for the Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops is open! All virtual workshops will be presented on the Zoom platform. Grazing School, an all day workshop led by Sarah Flack, will be in person. Advance registration required.  Zoom links to […]

Farmer & Producer Workshops Winter 2022

All workshops are remote, presented on the Zoom platform. Advance registration required.  Zoom links to the workshops will be emailed the day before for each workshop. To register for one or more of the workshops, scroll to the bottom of […]

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2022-2023 Winter Farmers Market Vendor Application

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 […]

Summer Podcast Series 2021

Throughout this Summer Podcast Series, Berkshire Grown hears from farmers and agricultural professionals from in and beyond the Berkshires to learn about the different ways farmers’ farm and get their products to market.  In these 30-45 minute interviews with Berkshire […]

Farmer Mentorship Program

Our mentorships pair new and beginning farmers with more experienced farmers in the Berkshire Grown network. Farmers who have been in the field for 10 years or more share their knowledge, experience, skills, perspectives, and relationships with those in the process of launching and refining their farm businesses.

Find Food and Farms

Find Food and Farms is Berkshire Grown's fully searchable, online map featuring our professional members. Users can search for local food at farms, restaurants, retail outlets, pick-your-own operations and farmers' markets. All of Berkshire Grown's local foods at your fingertips!

Local Food and Farming Events Calendar

Technical Assistance Opportunities for Farmers 

Farmers Talk to Berkshire Grown-2020 Summer Podcast Series

Throughout this 2020 Summer Podcast Series, Berkshire Grown hears from farmers and agricultural professionals from both in and beyond the Berkshires to learn about the different ways farmers are farming and getting their products to market.  These 30 minute interviews […]

Bigfoot Farm Podcast

Farmers Talk to Berkshire Grown – Episode 3 Brian Cole – Bigfoot Farm – Williamstown, MA Bigfoot Farm is a small, diversified vegetable farm located in Northern Berkshire County with most of the labor done by hand and without herbicides […]

Foxtrot Farm Podcast

Farmers Talk to Berkshire Grown – Episode 2 Abby Ferla – Foxtrot Farm – Ashfield, MA. Foxtrot Farm is a certified organic 2 acre farm in the hilltowns of western Massachusetts with a focus on growing foods that walk the […]

Marketing Technical Assistance during COVID-19

Berkshire Grown is Here to Help  With an increase in demand for locally produced food, farmers are being asked to shift their sales approach in order to reach consumers.  Berkshire Grown has created technical assistance resources to help farmers with […]

Moxie Ridge Farm & Creamery Podcast

Farmers Talk to Berkshire Grown Podcast – Episode 1 Lee Hennessey – Moxie Ridge Farm & Creamery – Argyle, NY. Moxie Ridge Farm & Creamery is a small, diversified farm on 46 acres with a commitment to heritage and traditional […]

Farmer-to-Farmer Online Conversations

Setting up a web store? Guidelines for markets? Planning for the season in response to COVID-19? Farmer-to-Farmer Online Conversations Weekly on Thursdays from 6:00PM-6:45PM MAY 7th How are you preparing for the growing season in response to consumer demand? An […]

Local Food Incentive Programs

Application Period Open for MDAR’s MEGA Programs

Application Period Now Open for Climate Smart, Food Safety, Cranberry Bog Renovation, and Food Venture Programs Open Application Period for MDAR’s Grant Programs MDAR’s grants are available to help agricultural operations with business planning and technical assistance, as well as […]

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

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 […]

(SARE) Farmer Grant Program 2023 Call for Proposals

Important Dates:  The online system will open to accept proposals starting on: October 1, 2022 Proposals, with all required attachments, are due no later than: November 15, 2022, 5:00 p.m. ET The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program […]

Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)

MDAR is now accepting applications for the Ag Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP). The goal of the AFSIP grant is to support produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to upgrade their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the […]

Funding Opportunities Available to Dairy Farmers and Service Providers through Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center

Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) recently announced several funding opportunities available to dairy farmers and service providers. NE-DBIC serves an eleven-state region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and […]

Massachusetts Farm Energy Program Grant Information & Deadlines

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources CSAP Grant MDAR’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) grant is open! The deadline for submission is 4:00pm on Friday, June 10th. If you have questions about the CSAP grant, or are looking for help completing the application, email […]

Local Farmer Awards Invitation for Applications Now Open

Do you have an idea for an infrastructure project that will help your farm grow? If so, the Local Farmer Awards is accepting applications for funding! Find the application here, in which you will outline how a project award of […]

Young Farmers Accepting Applications for Grant Program

In 2020 The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) launched a new grant program to help young and beginning farmers and ranchers start up and grow their businesses. The program provided 50 farmers and ranchers with $5,000 grants in the […]

American Farmland Trust Launches 2022 Round of the New England Farmer Microgrants

Program with Special Emphasis on Regenerative Agriculture for Livestock Operations  Program with Special Emphasis on Regenerative Agriculture for Livestock Operations    American Farmland Trust has opened applications for the 2022 cohort of the New England Farmer Microgrants Program (NEFMP). Now […]