Deputy MDAR Commissioner Visits Pittsfield Farmers Market

MDAR Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff pointed out that farmers are also a big contributor to the state's fight against climate change, as they steward the land, take care of natural resources and take care of natural resources.

5 Berkshire Farms Getting $550K in Grant Funding

Five farms in Berkshire County are benefiting from more than $26.3 million in agricultural grants announced by Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday.

State Officials Celebrate Agriculture Day at the State House

New Owner of Apple Barn Hopes to Continue its Legacy

Albright had worked towards purchasing the barn for about a year, putting together all of the pieces that are needed to run and maintain the business.

Red Shirt Farm Expanding With Store/Commercial Kitchen Build

Owner Jim Schultz detailed Red Shirt's organic, regenerative farming practices, low carbon footprint operations, and dedication to food access that led to building a store.

Agriculture Counts: March 2023

This is a monthly column from the Northeastern Regional Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Governor Names Agricultural Resources Commissioner

Randle starts on March 6, 2023, as the twenty-first Commissioner and the first woman appointed to lead the Department.

Adams Aggie Commission Recommends Town Adopt Farmland Program

These lands may not be on the soil survey but are being used for agriculture and, under the federal program, it would be up to towns to designate they are of "local importance" for preservation.

Adams' Full Well Farm Celebrates 'Climate Battery' Greenhouse

The town hosted a ribbon cutting for Full Well Farm on Halloweeen to celebrate the opening of its new "climate battery" greenhouse.

Agricultural Commissioner Visits Berkshire County Farms

One of the main things Lebeaux heard throughout the day was validation for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program that is through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The state Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) also works closely on the program.

Williamstown Considering Land Conservation Request for Sweet Brook Farm

About 10 acres on Oblong Road in South Williamstown currently is under contract to be sold to a buyer interested in residential development on the parcel.

State, USDA Worked to Contain Avian Flu in Berkshire County

The non-commercial flock contained ducks, chicken, geese, quail, and turkeys, all of which are capable of getting sick with and spreading "highly pathogenic avian influenza," or HPAI. The state and the USDA euthanized the flock and quarantined the area to prevent further spread.

Roots Rising Awarded $430K State Grant for Equipment

The nonprofit was awarded $430,219 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs for the purchase of farm and industrial kitchen equipment during its land acquisition process.

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Expands Staff

Jake Levin is the new Project Coordinator for BAV's Livestock Support Program, and Ben Crockett is the new Program Manager for BAV.

MDAR Commissioner Appointed to USDA's Committee

A longtime resident of Shrewsbury and the grandson and son of farmers, Commissioner Lebeaux worked in the agricultural industry in Massachusetts for most of his adult life.

USDA: Agriculture Counts!

As a new year kicks off, our agency reflects on major milestones achieved during 2021. The agricultural community gained two new geospatial decision support tools, and will soon have first-time data on hemp production, conservation practice adoption motivations, farmer demographics, and agroforestry practices.

House of Correction's Aquaponics Lab Feeding Needy, Imparting Skills

Each of the 30 towns and both cities in Berkshire County have received food from the aquaponics lab, which donates its produce to food banks, shelters and community kitchens. More than 100,000 heads of lettuce and other vegetables have gone out into the community over the past 20 months.