Facts & FAQs

About BAV

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the development and viability of local farms and food system businesses in order to build a thriving and equitable local food economy. 

Why is BAV needed?
Traditional services aren’t always the best fit for food entrepreneurs. BAV provides grant funding, access to 0%-low interest loans, and technical and business assistance. In addition to these core services, BAV has developed targeted programs that address pressing issues in the agricultural sector like access to local meat processing services or climate smart practices. Learn how BAV supports food and food producers through our targeted Initiatives.  

Where does BAV work? 
BAV supports farms and food businesses in the Berkshire-Taconic Region of New England, including: Berkshire County, MA, Columbia and Dutchess Counties, NY, and Litchfield County, CT. From time to time, projects will extend outside of our primary service area but our focus remains the four county, three state Berkshire-Taconic region. View BAV’s Interactive GIS Map to see our reach.

How can I support BAV?
BAV relies on support from our local community. Learn how you can Support BAV.

BAV Assistance 

What forms of assistance are available through BAV? 
BAV provides assistance in the form of low-interest loans, grants, business and technical assistance. Learn how BAV supports food and food producers through our targeted Initiatives.  

What is Technical & Business Assistance? 
Technical Assistance is any form of professional help, guidance or support provided to business owners. Technical Assistance & Business Assistance for BAV clients is tailored to client needs and can vary on a case by case basis. Examples include: business and financial planning, marketing and branding, land access challenges and associated legal services. Learn about BAV’s Technical & Business Assistance Program.

Who is eligible for BAV’s services?
Our services are open and marketed to all those that occupy the Berkshire-Taconic region regardless of race, ethnic background, gender identity, or sexual identity. Farms, food businesses as well as non-profits are also eligible to apply for grant funding through the Resilience Fund.

Do you only work with for-profit food businesses? 
BAV works with non-profits and organizations like Conservation Districts and Land Conservancies on a case by case basis. Requests are reviewed against BAV’s mission to support farmers and grow the regional food economy. Submit an inquiry or Contact Us to see how BAV can help.

What is BAV’s process for reviewing requests? 
Businesses and organizations must go through an application process and be in alignment with BAV’s mission to grow the regional food economy. An intake with one of our team members begins the process, which can be set up by submitting an inquiry form or by contacting us directly. Requests are reviewed by our team and eligible candidates are invited to submit a full application. After a full application is submitted to BAV, requests can take between 2-4 weeks for grants and business assistance, and 4-8 weeks for loan applications depending on the due diligence involved. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.  

Why Local Matters

How does BAV’s loan fund help grow the regional food economy?
BAV’s Revolving Loan Funds program provides low-interest and below-market-rate loans to eligible farms and food businesses. The purpose of the loan funds is economic development and business assistance to grow the regional food economy; these funds do not generate a return for investors, financial returns are reinvested back into the loan fund, allowing them to be recirculated into the local food economy in perpetuity. Learn more about our Loans & Financing Initiatives.

How does BAV help improve farmer resilience to climate change?
BAV’s Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative helps farmers work towards implementing climate change solutions or explore strategies that allow them to adapt to the realities of a changing world. Past projects include no-till farming and agroforestry.

How does BAV help improve access to farmland? 
Access to affordable farmland is considered a top issue for farmers nationwide, and is of particular importance in the Berkshires. BAV supports farmland access through our Business & Technical Assistance Program, Loans & Financing Initiative, and the Harry Conklin Fund for Farmsteads.

Don’t see your question here or looking for more information? Please Contact Us.