Berkshire Conservation District Healthy Soils

04:10PM / Saturday, May 13, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Conservation District announced the receipt of grant funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Division of Conservation Services, Healthy Soils Program to increase the use of no-till seeding methods along with soil testing by farmers throughout western Massachusetts.

The District purchased an Esch 12' no-till seeder which they have been renting to area farmers since 2019.

With this funding, the District is now able to waive the per-acre fee as well as the cost of soil testing. Applicants agree to a multi-year agreement involving annual soil testing and no-till planting. This approach prioritizes soil health and protects soil and water resources from the impacts of climate change by helping to reduce soil erosion, conserve water, improve soil health and decrease carbon release.

The Berkshire Conservation District is collaborating with the Hampton/Hampshire Conservation District, which recently purchased a 5'6" no-till drill, to offer two sizes of no-till drills to farmers in western Massachusetts making the program more accessible to farmers of large and small acreage.

"Farmers are excited to have access to new pieces of equipment that can seed fields faster and more efficiently. The Berkshire Conservation District has the ability to listen closely to what is needed and respond directly, building relationships with the agricultural community that will contribute to more resilient farming practices," said Ambrose Clausen, the District's Healthy Soils/No-Till Program Coordinator.

Other District programs focus on increasing and improving habitats for pollinators, including helping Berkshire towns pass Pollinator-Friendly Community resolutions, financial incentives for farmers to add pollinator habitat on their farms and our fall Native Plant Sale. More information on all programs can be found at berkshireconservation.org/programs.

The Berkshire Conservation District is a state-mandated agency whose mission is to support local agriculture and environmental sustainability in Berkshire County through education in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For more information and to be part of this exciting program, contact the District's No-Till Coordinator at bcdnotill@gmail.com.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

View Full Story