Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Welcomes Communications and Development Associate

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Agriculture Ventures (BAV), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture and resilient food systems in the Berkshire-Taconic region, announced the appointment of Patrick Grego as its full-time Communications and Development Associate.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Patrick to the Berkshire Agricultural Ventures team," said Rebecca Busansky, Executive Director of BAV. "We are excited to work with him to help share the stories of our farmers and amplify our work in the food system. His enthusiasm provides great promise in advancing our work to create a thriving local food economy."
 
Grego comes to BAV with a solid background in nonprofit communications. After moving from Brooklyn to Hudson, New York in 2021, Grego served as a Communications Coordinator at Time & Space Limited, a community arts center in Hudson, and later as Communications Assistant at The Olana Partnership.
 
Grego's writing has been published in several regional newspapers including the Times Union and Chronogram’s River Newsroom. He recently won the New York Newspaper Publishers Association award for distinguished feature writing. 
 
"I am honored to join Berkshire Agricultural Ventures and contribute to their impactful work in sustainable agriculture," said Grego. "I believe that supporting local farmers and promoting environmentally friendly practices is crucial for the health of our community and our climate. I am excited to help raise awareness and foster connections that drive positive change."
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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