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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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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