State Celebrates Agriculture Day with Farmland Preservation Funding, Youth Council Announcement
BOSTON.—Governor Maura Healey has declared March 18, 2025, as Massachusetts Agriculture Day. The event, held at the State House, highlighted the contributions of farmers, growers, and agricultural groups to the state's food supply and natural resource protection.
"We stand with our incredible farmers every day, and today we are proudly celebrating their hard work and resilience. Through every challenge they face, these farmers cultivate the crops that feed our families and strengthen our communities. Their dedication ensures that fresh, local food reaches every table," said Governor Maura Healey. "At a time of immense uncertainty at the federal level, Massachusetts is fully committed to delivering the support, programs and resources that empower our farmers to grow, expand and succeed."
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $5 million in funding to permanently protect nearly 400 acres of farmland across eight farms through the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program. Shaker Farm in Richmond completed an APR project in 2024.
An additional $500,000 will be allocated to assist existing APR farmers in restoring previously unsuitable land.
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle announced the new members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Youth Council. The council, now in its second year, comprises 15 high school students selected to discuss agricultural issues, learn about the legislative process and workforce development, and attend industry events. Olivia Silvernail from Hoosac Valley was selected to serve on the council.
Commissioner Randle also declared 2025 as the Year of Youth in Agriculture, aimed at increasing youth involvement in farming. The declaration will provide opportunities to highlight young adult voices in agriculture through events and partnerships with organizations such as 4-H and FFA.
"Youth engagement in agriculture has been one of our top priorities at MDAR so I’m delighted to welcome in a new class of leaders who will help shape the future of agriculture and especially want to thank our inaugural class for their contributions and involvement over the past year," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "While there are always challenges in farming and agriculture, I’m optimistic that our future looks bright with the amount of interest we’ve seen in our students who share the same values we all have in making sure we continue to grow and nurture a rich and diverse industry. Through our farmland protection programs, we’ll make sure that when the next generation of farmers take their place in shaping the agricultural landscape, they will have access to farmland here in Massachusetts so they can make their mark."
Established in 1977 as the first-of-its-kind farmland protection program in the country, the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program is a voluntary program that enables farmers to access the financial value of their land without needing to sell it. Administered through MDAR’s Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance, MDAR is able to pay farmers the difference between the "fair market value" and the "agricultural value" of their farms in exchange for a permanent deed restriction to retain the land for farming and preserve it solely for agricultural use for future generations. The APR program helps maintain affordable and accessible farmland for aspiring and experienced farmers. To date, the program has acquired 967 farm properties while protecting approximately 76,169 acres of farmland in Massachusetts.
Through MDAR, the administration also awarded $573,817 to 19 farms through the Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA) Program. The program provides funding to restore active commercial farming on land that is in the APR Program. Awards will be used to remove debris, improve drainage, clear rocks and invasive species, and repair farm roads to improve access.
