Roots Rising Secures Land for Youth Farm

08:00AM / Friday, February 09, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After an extensive, multi-year search, Roots Rising announced the successful acquisition of 923 Barker Road in Pittsfield, marking a milestone in their journey towards launching the Youth Farm.

The process of finding the right location for the Youth Farm involved years of searching and the exploration of over twenty parcels. Roots Rising ensured that the selected land was not only viable but aligned with their vision. Serious consideration was given to several potential locations, including a thorough exploration of a parcel within Springside Park.

The Youth Farm will be teen-powered and community-centered, integrating Roots Rising's longstanding food justice and youth development work. More than just a farm, the property will serve as Roots Rising's long-awaited homebase, housing both offices and an education center. It will provide space to deepen their work and champion the organization's values: youth empowerment, food justice, community building, a strong local food system, and connection to the land.

"Roots Rising's Youth Farm will be a dynamic component of our vibrant local food system, responding to community needs and fostering deep connections between people and the land. After lots of hard work behind the scenes, the moment has arrived for us to put our hands in the soil and bring this vision to life." said Lauren Piotrowski, Roots Rising farm manager.

"We want to express our profound gratitude to the community for their unwavering support through the extensive years of our land search," Roots Rising Executive Director Jessica Vecchia said. "This acquisition not only represents a significant step forward for Roots Rising, but really underscores our commitment to the city and community we serve."

Roots Rising extends thanks to the funders who have played a role in making the first step of land acquisition possible:

Bud Ackerman Fund
City of Pittsfield
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Green Pastures Fund
Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation
Lenox Garden Club, Garden Club of America
Lisa Messinger
Mass Development
Neenah Technical Materials
Roaring Brook Family Foundation
The Donald C. McGraw Foundation
And many individual donors

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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