BAV’s Farm Business Accelerator is a new, two-year program bringing individualized 1:1 technical assistance, expert perspectives, peer learning, farm visits, and implementation funds to a cohort of farmers across Berkshire, Columbia, Dutchess, and Litchfield counties. The program begins in November 2026.

Program participants will develop and share business skills around:

  • Record keeping

  • Generating and interpreting financial reports

  • Creating holistic goals

  • Assessing farm financial risks and strengths

  • Long-term planning for your farm’s needs

Program components include:

  • Four in-person workshops each year

  • Two farm visits each year

  • Ongoing one-on-one technical assistance from a provider focused on your farm’s individual needs

  • An in-person capstone summit, which will complete the program after the second year

By combining hands-on workshops with individualized technical assistance, creating opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning, and providing implementation funds, this program creates a rigorous, supportive, and sustained learning opportunity that will unfold over two years.

Eligibility

  • Farmers in Berkshire, Litchfield, Columbia, and Dutchess counties are eligible for this regionally focused program.

  • Farms should be in at least their third year of operation.

  • Farmers should have financial records and some understanding of basic bookkeeping or be available to get up to speed with BAV’s assistance prior to November.

  • There is a $150 per-farm fee upon acceptance. All participants will receive implementation funds upon course completion each year.

Read our fAQs

Deadline & More Info

Apply here

BAV’s Farm Business Accelerator is generously sponsored by Vikki and Brian Fairbank.

Perspectives from Local Farmers

Hungry Reaper Farm

“The Farm Business Accelerator will help farmers build the skills to take calculated risks, grow their businesses intentionally, and work towards financial stability and a higher quality of life. It will also grant the opportunity to build a network among their peers and industry experts, deepening relationships that can support each farm’s growth throughout their whole business lifecycle.”

—Will O’Meara, Hungry Reaper Farm (Morris, CT)

Chaseholm Farm

“Working with our Technical Assistance Provider changed the way I think about the farm and my own role within it. Our work confronted my assumptions and dug into the emotional and challenging parts that are both why we farm and also sometimes why it’s so hard. I wish every farmer could find someone to give them the type of attention that our provider offered us, it was a true gift.” 

—Sarah Chase, Chaseholm Farm (Pine Plains, NY)

Support BAV

Help BAV support our farmers and strengthen our local food system. Your gift makes it possible for BAV to offer high-impact business assistance and flexible loans to local farmers and food producers.

Make a Donation