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As I speak to farmers from around the US and beyond, I am always interested in where they are garnering support from. Farmers enter into farming from all different backgrounds. Some need help securing land, some need financial support, some need marketing and accounting support, and some need help with farming skills. And we would assume that those support systems would be available. Well that is not always the case. However, in some areas, that is definitely the case and the level of support for farmers and the agricultural industry is very present, active and constantly innovating ways to support and help the farming community.

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures is one of those non profit companies that is doing just that. They are on a mission to support the development and viability of local farms and food businesses in order to build a thriving and equitable local food economy in the Berkshire-Taconic region in MA, CT, and NY. And they do this by providing flexible and innovative financial and technical resources to farmers and local food businesses. In this podcast episode you will meet the Executive Director of Berkshire Ag Ventures, Rebecca Busansky and Ben Crockett, Program Manager for their Climate Smart Ag Program.

Rebecca’s past work focused on helping local farms thrive and increasing food access. Before leading Berkshire Ag Ventures, Rebecca led efforts to build an innovative community investment vehicle that provided financing and technical assistance to farm and local food entrepreneurs in Western MA. She also managed the Mass Food Trust Program since its inception in 2018 which provides financing to increase the availability of affordable healthy food in underserved communities across the Commonwealth. Rebecca works hard to understand the needs of today’s farmers and leads her non profit to deliver products and services to meet and exceed those needs.

Ben Crockett works diligently with local farmers to help them understand and manage their soil, which is the most important ingredient in farming. He is also focused on helping them manage and plan for changing climate demands which is top of mind for many farmers today.

Berkshire Ag Ventures should be a model employed by every US county. First we need to understand, recognize and appreciate the importance of farmers to our local and regional food systems…and then we need to figure out how to best support their success. It’s in all of our best interests to do that.

My conversation with Rebecca and Ben took place a few weeks prior to the inauguration. Just a note that some of the programs that we discussed may be impacted by the government changes that are taking place.

Berkshire Agriculture Ventures
Land for Good
American Farmland Trust

Grounded in Maine Podcast hosted by Amy Fagan is an open conversation about being mindful about how we show up for the world. Amy is passionate about learning how we can be sustainable in all aspects of life.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.

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