Resilience Grants Fund
The Resilience Grant Fund is a micro-grant program that helps farmers adapt to ever-changing realities and ensure farms remain viable while meeting the demand for local food, in-line with BAV’s mission of supporting a stronger, more equitable food system.
Resilience Grants support a range of projects, with priority given to applications that can demonstrate proof of concept; are unable to secure project funding (full or partial) from other sources; is a farm run by and or prioritizes serving historically marginalized communities; the project has a community and larger food systems benefit.
BAV will not support applications for normal business operations. Both for-profit and nonprofit local farm/food focused entities within BAV’s service area are eligible to apply.
Recent examples of use of grant funds:
Supported a portion of the total project cost to build and install on-farm infrastructure that would help this farm better meet customer demand.
Contributed to a farmer lead multi-day skill building workshop for new and beginning farmers.
Farm was awarded a state grant to support climate friendly growing practices, BAV provided a grant to help towards closing the required state grant match.
Please be aware, BAV is currently in the process of revising our grants process therefore the process above is subject to change in the coming months. We welcome any feedback you might have on how we can improve our grants process. Farms and organizations who have received a grant from BAV in the past are especially encouraged to share their experience and feedback with us.
How to Apply
Before submitting your request you are welcome to reach out to BAV with any questions.
To begin the grants process, provide the following to the BAV Team here or email us:
Applicant (farm/organization) name and location
Best way to contact you
Primary product or mission
In brief, who you serve and how many individuals or community groups are connected to and benefit from your product/program/service.
Short description of your proposed project and timeline (2-3 paragraphs)
General budget for your project
The BAV Team will confirm the receipt of your grant request and follow up if there are any questions about your application.
Grant Review Cycle
Currently, grants are reviewed by the BAV Team the first Tuesday of every month. Please note, it can take up 30 days to review and process your application.
Grant awards vary, requests may be funded in-part, with a maximum award of $5,000.
Funding for this program is limited. To ensure funding is distributed equitably, any group that has received a BAV grant within the current calendar year (2024) is not eligible for another contribution. As funding remains, awards will continue to be made to eligible applicants.
Emergency Grants
Under our Resilience Grant Fund BAV provides emergency grants to assist farms in recovering from unforeseen events. Emergency grant requests are reviewed on a rolling basis, you can reach out to the BAV Team here or email us.
When reaching out, please share the following information:
Applicant name
Best way to contact you
Your farm/organization name and location
Short description of the emergency, and how it has affected your business and or operation
Timeline for requested funds
Grant awards vary, and requests may be funded in-part, with a maximum award of $5,000. BAV will not provide emergency support for operational shortfalls, but rather external factors beyond the control of the farm.
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.
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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