Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Hires New Development Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) announce the hiring of Kristen Moriarty as the nonprofit's new Development Director.
 
"We are thrilled to have Kristen in this crucial role," said Executive Director Rebecca Busansky.
"Kristen brings a wealth of development expertise, extraordinary interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and a passion for creating more vibrant and resilient local communities. In addition, she has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has already brought leadership and thoughtfulness to these vital aspects of our work at BAV."
 
Moriarty joined BAV from Shakespeare & Company in Lenox where she held positions in development and program management. At BAV, Moriarty leads a multi-pronged fundraising effort, including cultivating and stewarding individual donors, orchestrating donor events, and overseeing BAV's grant portfolio of private and corporate foundations.
 
"I am delighted to join BAV's outstanding team to build support and capacity for the organization," said Development Director Kristen Moriarty. "I am deeply impressed by the work BAV is doing to strengthen local farms and food businesses and expand local food access. Food is fundamental – and it begins with our farmers. It is exciting to bring donors and funders into our work, especially at this moment in time. I am honored to continue growing BAV's base of support so that we can sustain and amplify our impact – with local farmers, local communities, and local economies."
 
Moriarty previously held leadership roles at Shakespeare & Company, serving as Senior Manager of Individual Giving and as Program Manager for the Center for Actor Training. She is a professional actor and an acting teacher as well as a development officer. Her background also includes event management, sales supervisory experience, and copywriting/content creation. She lives in Lenox with her husband and two daughters. Moriarty served for four years as PTO President at Morris Elementary in Lenox, among other commitments.
 
Moriarty began her role at BAV earlier this fall. In tandem with her hiring, BAV added a Program and Development Associate to support development efforts and expand capacity for farmer-focused programming. Based in Great Barrington, BAV has a staff of nine and serves farmers in parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
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OSHA: Jacob's Pillow Won't Be Cited for 2025 Employee Death

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

BECKET, Mass.— The Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that Jacob's Pillow is not responsible for the fatal workplace accident that occurred one year ago

OSHA found no violation of workplace safety and health standards related to the incident, and no citations or penalties were issued. 

On Aug. 1, 2025, 40-year-old Kathryn "Kat" Sirico of Rochester, N.Y., and another employee were moving staging platforms across the property on a dolly when it began to lose control on a sloped area.  Sirico attempted to regain control of the dolly but tripped and fell.  The dolly ran over Sirico, and the platforms fell, landing on them. 

Bystanders attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. 

OSHA issued an inspection report on Aug. 3 absolving the organization of fault.  The Berkshire Edge obtained and posted the report

On March 6, the determination was communicated in a letter, presumably addressed to Sirico's family, but the addressee is redacted. 

"OSHA has completed its inspection of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Inc. and determined that no violation of safety and health standards occurred related to the incident; therefore, no citations or proposed penalties were issued," Acting Area Director Stephanie Smulligan-Maldanis wrote. 

The OSHA report explains that employees were moving Masonite staging on a rolling cart down an incline near the Doris Duke Theatre; the cart began speeding away, and the two employees tried to slow it down by grabbing the cart; it then turned sideways and flipped over. 

Sirico was crushed by the heavy rolling cart. 

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