Ben Lamb Joins Berkshire Agricultural Ventures Board

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures announce that Berkshire-based economic development expert Ben Lamb, PhD, has been appointed to BAV's Board of Directors. 
 
Lamb is the Vice President of Economic Development at 1Berkshire, where he works to support a range of rural businesses and industries across the region. He also brings community leadership and service with organizations including MASS MoCA, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, and the City of North Adams.
 
"We are delighted to welcome Ben to BAV's Board. His economic development expertise, passion for community-building, and genuine enthusiasm for BAV's mission make him a terrific addition to our Board as we work toward BAV's tenth year as a community nonprofit serving local farmers and food producers in the Berkshire-Taconic region," BAV Board President Maryann Tebben said.
 
"We are thrilled to have Ben join our Board during a pivotal time for BAV, our farmers, and our local food system. BAV has worked closely with Ben and his 1Berkshire colleagues over the years, and we are excited that he is bringing his talents, perspectives, and energy to BAV in this new capacity," BAV Executive Director Rebecca Busansky said.
 
Lamb's local leadership roles include serving as a Trustee of MASS MoCA, Board Vice Chair for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Clerk of the Board of the North Adams Partnership, and Co-founder of the NAMAzing Initiative, a community group committed to creative placemaking and grassroots economic development initiatives in North Adams.
 
Other public service positions include four terms as a North Adams City Councilor. A graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Lamb holds a Masters Degree from the College of Saint Rose and a PhD in Higher Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 
 
His professional background encompasses ecotourism, historic landscape restoration, and cafe ownership in downtown North Adams. 
 
He lives in North Adams with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever. Lamb is an avid home gardener, volunteer, and cook.
 
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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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