MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Farmers will flock to Beacon Hill on March 27, 2018, to celebrate agriculture with state officials as part of Agricultural Day at the State House. This annual event brings together farmers, students and agricultural organizations to showcase locally-grown food and farm products and to have their voices heard by legislators about issues affecting the agricultural community.
“Ag Day at the State House is the premier event for Massachusetts farmers,” said Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) President Ed Davidian, who farms in Northborough. “This day allows them to meet with their representatives and reinforce their messages about the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth and persuade them to vote favorable for legislation they are concerned about.”
At last year’s event, Davidian addressed legislators during the speaking program to discuss the MFBF’s concerns about the agricultural preservation restriction (APR) program, disaster relief funding, establishing an estate tax for farms and more. This year he will elaborate on these concerns and talk about other issues that the organization has started to tackle in 2018.
“This event is made possible through a collaboration between our organization and 30+ other agricultural groups from across the Commonwealth,” Davidian said. “I applaud everyone for their efforts to put this event together. We need to continue to work together to present a unite front to the legislature on ag issues.”
The tentative schedule of events for the day begin at 11 a.m. and conclude around 2 p.m.
For the concluding reception in the Great Hall, culinary students and instructors from the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management Program will prepare and present a Taste of Massachusetts menu, using products donated from approximately 40 farms and food producers across the Commonwealth.
For more information on Ag Day, including setting up interviews, please contact MFBF’s Director of Marketing and Membership at 508-481-4766 or katelyn@mfbf.net.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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