GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Grown announced the hiring of our first Director of Development, Stephanie Bergman. 

 

Bergman brings more than 20 years expertise in the nonprofit field, with extensive experience developing, implementing, and funding programs that meet critical community needs.

 

"Berkshire Grown's commitment to farmers and local food strongly aligns with my personal values and I am looking forward to collaborating with the staff and board to ensure that all in the community have access to the food grown and produced here," said Bergman. "There are some amazing new initiatives the organization has developed around supporting farmers and food access, and I am excited to expand our fundraising capacity to support this important work."

 

Though fundraising was not the primary focus of the first half of her career, through her work with small and medium sized nonprofits, she learned to understand the many challenges that organizations face to advance philanthropy and achieve their long-term objectives.

 

Most recently she served as Director of Development for Mass Audubon West, where she raised $1.125 for Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary's first capital campaign and significantly increased annual operating support.

 

Berkshire Grown, founded in 2003, supports and promotes local agriculture as a part of the Berkshire community, economy and landscape. The organization's farm-to- food access programs, the winter farmers markets, technical assistance and workshops for farmers, and promotion of local agriculture and locally-grown food.

 

Berkshire Grown depends on support from grants and individual donations, and as programs grow, the organization needs to plan their financial support accordingly, relying on established funding sources, and establishing new revenue streams for the future.

 

"Hiring a Director of Development is key to our work, now and in the future," said  Berkshire Grown executive director Margaret Moulton. "This new role is a sign of our growth, and of our commitment to supporting local farmers and developing a resilient food system in the Berkshires."

 

Bergman lives in Egremont with her husband, two children, and two dogs where she has a large vegetable and flower garden and raises chickens.