Resilience Grants Fund 

BAV’s Resilience Grants Fund is a cornerstone of our work to help farmers as they adapt to ever-changing realities and ensure their farms remain viable and sustainable while meeting high demand for nutrient-dense, local food.

For-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations in the food and agricultural sector are eligible for micro-grant assistance through our Resilience Fund. BAV accepts grant applications on a rolling basis for projects that align with our mission and focus on community impact. BAV typically awards micro-grants up to $5,000, but all awards are determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Some examples of the types of projects BAV will support include:

  • Climate smart agricultural practices 

  • Growing season extension strategies

  • Processing & regional infrastructure

  • Strengthening business viability

  • Food access support


Contact Us to learn how the Resilience Fund could help you or submit an inquiry today.

Client Stories | Resilience Fund

Smoke & Honey Co.

Smoke & Honey Co. is a socially and environmentally conscientious beekeeping and farm management business rooted in the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley. BAV awarded Smoke & Honey Co. a grant that went towards advancing their educational programming by providing free hives, free bees, and free beekeeping lessons to aspiring beekeepers of color in the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley.

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.

— Curtis Mraz, Smoke & Honey Co.

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Shaker Creek Farm

With a grant from BAV, Shaker Creek Farm was able to purchase 3,000 chicks and build five new chicken tractors, which allows a chicken flock to move around their pasture, constantly having fresh vegetation and allowing used sections to be fertilized by chicken waste. 

"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."

— Allison Basdekis, Shaker Creek Farm 

Greenagers

BAV awarded Greenagers a grant that supported Greenagers’ second year of apprenticeships at their farm April Hill Education and Conservation Center, and offset the cost of a pilot year for Greenagers Helping Farm Hands project.

"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."

— Will Conklin, Greenagers director

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