Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $1.8 Million in Grants to Protect Farmland in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

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Boston- The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $1.8 million in funding to help protect farmland, support farm businesses, and keep agricultural land in active use across Massachusetts. Through the newly created Massachusetts Farmland Partnership Program, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is awarding grants to seven regional partnerships made up of nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and agricultural groups. These grants will fund 29 projects, designed to slow the loss of farmland, help farmers gain access to land, and support farm transfers so agricultural operations can continue from one generation to the next.

"These grants put real resources behind our commitment to protecting Massachusetts' farmland," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "We are proud to support Massachusetts farming heritage and legacy to ensure our farmlands are there for generations to come."

These awards advance implementation of the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, released in December 2023 to address the ongoing loss of agricultural land. According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, Massachusetts lost more than 113,000 acres of farmland between 1997 and 2022. The funding coincides with the release of the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan 2025 Progress Report, which highlights progress made over the past year, including expanded farmland protection efforts and increased access to farmland transfer and succession planning assistance.

"Over the last two years, our MDAR team and partner organizations have made significant progress in implementing the Farmland Action Plan through their existing programming, framework and funding. Now, we are thrilled to be able to provide this additional assistance through the new Farmland Partnership Program to catalyze further success," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "Thanks to this nearly $2 million dollar commitment, we are helping these committed organizations further the goals of the Plan. We look forward to working closely with these groups to ensure the success of these projects so that farming in Massachusetts remains a practical, viable, and sustainable pursuit."

The Progress Report highlights several achievements in the implementation of the Farmland Action Plan. Three "whole farms" are now permanently protected through the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program. The "whole farms" approach safeguards agricultural land along with the buildings, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and essential resources linked to farming. Other successes include encouraging more Private APRs by improving guidance and outreach. MDAR also completed the first farm transfer plans through the new Farm Pass program, and eight more plans are in progress. Additionally, over $1 million was invested in infrastructure improvements such as irrigation upgrades, solar power generation and farm road enhancements to state-owned agricultural lands that are licensed for farming.

"Restoring farmland is critical for Massachusetts to have a healthy, locally sourced food system," said Senator Dylan Fernandes, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture (D - Falmouth). "The Massachusetts Farmland Partnership Grant program supports our local growers and helps us fight against the loss of farmable land."

"The Farmland Action Plan is the Commonwealth's blueprint for building a stronger local food system," said Representative Natalie Blais, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture (D - Sunderland). "It is not a plan that is gathering dust on a shelf, but one that is delivering action. By putting these dollars to work, we're making sure Massachusetts farms don't just survive, but thrive well into the future."

The following are the Massachusetts Farmland Partnership Program grant recipients for 2026:

American Farmland Trust (AFT) with the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) - Northampton, MA: $273,949.47

American Farmland Trust (AFT), in partnership with the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC), will be working statewide to increase the pool of appraisers, surveyors, and other contractors that support farmland protection; convening learning circles for BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) farmers to discuss trusted pathways to access knowledge, markets and other resources; and building a Planning for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change Program for Massachusetts.

Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) - Greenfield, MA: $268,400.77

Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), in partnership with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) and Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), will be working in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties on municipal Farmland Protection Plans and developing a process for creating Farmland Protection Plans in other Massachusetts communities.

Land For Good - Keene, NH: $180,720.25

Land for Good will work across Massachusetts, educating farmers about transfer planning, promoting farmland linking through tools like the New England Farmland Finder, and training realtors and attorneys on considerations specific to working with farmers and farmland owners.

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (New Entry) with Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust (PPLT), Nuestras Raíces and Growing Places - Beverly, MA: $470,342.97

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (New Entry), in partnership with Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust (PPLT), Nuestras Raíces and Growing Places, will be working statewide and in specific areas on a variety of projects including case study research on shared land tenure models, a pilot shared land tenure site, building DEI capacity across food system partners, expanding a peer mentorship program for regenerative agriculture, peer mentorship assessment and storytelling, establishing a farmland access and viability community of practice, and developing a train-the-trainer toolkit for BIPOC technical assistance providers.

Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) with Wildlands Trust and Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) - Taunton, MA: $118,303.76

Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), in partnership with Wildlands Trust and Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC), will be working in Plymouth and Bristol counties to provide municipal training related to farmland protection, the Chapter 61A Rights of First Refusal (ROFR) process, zoning that supports farmland, and how to use CPA funds for farmland protection.

The Carrot Project with Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), and Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) - Boston, MA: $325,452.70

The Carrot Project, in partnership with Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) and Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), will be working in several parts of the state to build awareness of the importance of farm viability in land protection, develop a financial facilitator role, increase expertise of farm business advisors, establish navigators for farmers launching and growing a farming enterprise, and expand mentorship and peer learning opportunities.

World Farmers with Massachusetts Food System Collaborative and Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation (NIDC) - Lancaster, MA: $255,162.93

World Farmers, in partnership with the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative and Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation (NIDC), will be working in eastern Massachusetts to train municipalities on developing and implementing a municipal farmland licensing programs and to explore criteria that prioritize Historically Underserved Farmers in such programs.

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• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

  The Department's mission is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers.