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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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.
EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.
 
William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 
 
Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.
 
"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.
 
"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."
 
Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.
 
For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series. 
 
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