Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Awards Grant to Gould Farm

12:29PM / Monday, January 02, 2023Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) awarded Gould Farm a Resilience grant of $5,000 to complete construction of a new hoop house that will enable the farm to extend their growing season.

This grant was awarded in conjunction with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resource Conservation Services (USDA-NRCS).

"BAV recognizes the importance of helping farms implement adaptive growing strategies, like hoop houses, to address the increasing challenges Berkshire farmers face due to climate change. Recent growing seasons provide multiple examples of increased extreme weather patterns that increase risks to Berkshire farmers," said Ben Crockett, BAV's program manager who focuses on Climate Smart Agriculture.

Gould Farm will use this hoop house (also known as a "high tunnel system") to cover and protect crops from sun, wind, excessive rainfall, frost, and increase Spring and Fall crop production in an environmentally safe manner.

"Farmers in our region will continue to see dramatic fluctuations in weather patterns for the foreseeable future" said Crockett, "and supporting Gould Farm in completing this hoop house is part of BAV's effort to improve local farm resilience to extreme weather events and ensure farms keep farming."

Gould Farm produces crops as part of their mental health programming, where clients grow, cook and consume vegetables from the farm. During the growing season Gould Farm also supplies the Multicultural BRIDGE Food Pantry.

With the hoop house addition, Gould Farm will be able to increase the amount and availability of fresh produce for the farm and pantry.

"Our program participants are hard at work building the hoop house," said Executive Director, Lisanne Finston. "And look forward to being able to spend more time doing what they love...growing and sharing fresh food for the community."

Gould Farm is a a 700-acre working farm whose mission is to promote recovery for people living with mental health and related challenges through meaningful work, community living, and clinical care.

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) is a nonprofit organization working to support the development and viability of local farms and food businesses throughout the Berkshire-Taconic Region (Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut), to build a thriving local food economy and improve access to food.

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer.

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said.

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward."

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio.

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units. A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched.

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant.

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