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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Windrow Farm Podcast

Farmers talk to Berkshire Grown – Episode 6 This week’s conversation is with Jae Silverman of Windrow Farm in Conway, MA. Jae talks about balancing his part-time hay farming with working in the agricultural non-profit sector for Land for Good, […]

Podcast-Full Well Farm

Farmers Talk to Berkshire Grown – Episode 5 Meg Bantle and Laura Tupper-Palches-Full Well Farm, Adams, MA This week’s conversation is shared with Meg Bantle and Laura Tupper-Palches of Full Well Farm in Adams, MA in Northern Berkshire County. In […]

Podcast with Winton Pitcoff, Massachusetts Food System Collaborative Director

This episode features a conversation with Massachusetts Food System Collaborative Director, Winton Pitcoff.  In this podcast, Winton talks about the Collaborative’s current initiatives, how the pandemic has affected the state’s local food system infrastructure and supply chain as well as […]

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.

Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops 2023

Registration for the 2024 Farmer & Producer Winter Workshops will open in late fall 2023. Some workshops will be presented on the Zoom platform. Stay Tuned! Advance registration will be required.  Zoom links to the workshops will be emailed the […]

Farmer & Producer Workshops Winter 2022

These were the 2022 workshops. Stay tuned for the 2024 Winter Workshops series planned to be announced in late September 2023! Not a Member? Join Berkshire Grown Business Membership and receive discounts on these workshops, as well as receiving other […]

Watch Our 2021 Video!

Check out our 2021 video at and hear about our increased focus on food security.  We hope it inspires you to donate to Berkshire Grown in your year-end giving!   Fill out my LGL Form!

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 […]

Technical Assistance Opportunities for Farmers 

Local Food and Farming Events Calendar

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

Natural Disaster Recovery Program for Agriculture Now Open for Applications

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources MDAR has launched the Natural Disaster Recovery Program for Agriculture, a financial assistance program for farmers who have suffered crop losses from certain natural disasters that have occurred in 2023. The program is funded through a […]

Emergency Loans for MA Farm Recovery Needs

USDA Designates 10 Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas from May Freeze, 7 Massachusetts Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas from July Rain and Flooding This natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service […]

Report Flood Damage to MDAR and FSA

MDAR is seeking reports from impacted farms to evaluate the extent of damage from recent flooding. Please contact MDAR Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff Alisha Bouchard and Director of Produce Safety Michael Botelho with your report. We also encourage you to reach […]

New Grants and Opportunities

Complete list of MDAR Grants here. Need assistance grant writing? Feel free to reach out to Ian Brunell, Berkshire Grown Program Manager, Business Members, at ian@berkshiregrown.org about possible grant writing assistance in our network, and possibly some funding to help pay for […]

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 […]