The Future of Food
is Local

“BAV funding was hugely impactful this season. We had a huge demand for our produce from our lower-income community and these funds supported our farm's ability to meet both our mission and the individuals and families receiving free food. It has been a tough time for people due to COVID, on top of years of existing economic hardship. Our food is grown organically and truly a medicine for our community. BAV really came through for us!“

“Like BAV, we believe in the possibility of regional food systems for a healthier and more just society. BAV's investments in small operations like ours has allowed us to scale to a level that can meet more demand, and give us the chance to make our enterprise viable. Without this support, we wouldn't have been able to build infrastructure that has allowed us to make the leap to farm full time.”

“I have appreciated the work BAV has done over the years for many farmers in our region. I believe that having a strong agricultural community is critical to Berkshire County and makes a strong impact on our residents and visitors alike. BAV has served both to offer technical assistance, a small grant on our fence project and by providing a bridge loan for our recent Food Security Infrastructure Grant. Their help and expertise has been professional, helpful and timely.”

“Hosta Hill is extremely grateful for the resources, support and funding Berkshire Ag Ventures provided to us. Berkshire Ag Ventures’ care and attention to farmers and producers is an invaluable source to our community and will be for years to come.”

“With our grant from BAV we have been able to leverage some of this privilege to help teach and empower a diverse next generation of beekeepers. Like us, BAV understands that our food systems are dependent on these crucial pollinators and that we can’t have bees without another generation of well-trained beekeepers.”

“BAV works on creating better efficiencies and helping farmers on the business side, as well as educating the community. Without both of those sides coming together, economically it is just not going to work. And within all that, if the farmers are successful and BAV is helping the farmers become successful, that is creating more jobs, and growing the local economy.”

“We were very fortunate to connect with Berkshire Agricultural Ventures early on in the process. They have a terrific network of external resources as well as in-house expertise, ranging from advisory to financial to technical assistance. We would not have been able to grow the way we have without BAV’s support.”

“Thanks to networking, funding and technical assistance provided by Berkshire Agricultural Ventures over the past nine months, we have gained an increased understanding of our farm’s financial picture, which has enabled us to pair down our enterprises, increase prices, confirm our commitment to purchasing local and non-GMO inputs and renew our marketing strategies.”

“The support we have received from BAV has been invaluable to North Plain Farm. The technical and financial assistance resources they provided helped us to identify and purchase our land, giving us the opportunity to expand our dairy, meat and produce business.”

“I am extremely grateful to have been introduced to BAV. This last year, facing some of the toughest times, I have had to balance being a farmer, partner, mother, and business owner. With their individualized, one-on-one experience and understanding of the complexities of farming and business they supported and connected me with technical assistance programs that I would not have been able to access otherwise.”

“​​BAV is sort of that missing piece that can be the lynchpin for Berkshire County. We have a lot of farmers who know what they are doing and have good practices. What we need is the kind of support that BAV offers in terms of financing, marketing, and business advice, to help us be better in what we are doing. We were able to employ a lot more people this year as a result of their support.”