FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — About 100 farmers gathered in Framingham yesterday to discuss Department of Transportation regulations and hear an overview of weather trends for 2019 during the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 annual meeting.
“Regulations and weather are two of the biggest factors in farming that farmers can’t control,” said MFBF President Mark Amato. “For example, in 2018 we saw new regulation of the hours of service a truck driver could drive. The regulation raises serious concerns for those hauling livestock. It would require livestock haulers hauling livestock to market to stop mid trip even if it were just a short time more to the final destination. The additional time and cost could impact farmer’s bottom line as truckers would have to charge more to ensure that livestock were transported safely while they meet their legal requirements. American Farm Bureau has been actively involved in educating the regulating authorities regarding the hardship the regulation will create. We are very fortunate that our organization can bring expert speakers on subjects like this to our annual meetings.”
In addition, other topics of today’s workshops included labor laws, regulations surrounding food safety, leadership opportunities for farmers at a national level and more. Members left the day’s sessions with a refreshed perspective on issues facing Massachusetts agriculture.
Mid-afternoon Norfolk and Plymouth County Farm Bureaus hosted their “Taste of the County” event, during which attendees sampled the delicious food and drink that the counties had to offer.
In addition, awards were presented throughout the day noting Farm Family agents’ accomplishments, county Farm Bureaus’ gains in membership and more. Most notably, the following awards were presented today:
- County of the Year: Hampden County Farm Bureau
- Farm Family Agent of the Year: Sean Rooney
- Rising Star Farm Family Agent: Patrick Ofobi
- Greg Finn Scholarship Winner: Sadie Constatine, who is studying Natural Resource Conservation and Management at Paul Smith’s College in New York
- John Ogonowski Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture: Alan Everett, who farms in Williamsburg
The 2019 Horse Farm of Distinction award was also presented to the 36 following farms:
Berkshire County
Undermountain Farm
Bristol County
Blackhorse Farma
Bristol County Agricultural High School
Chipaway Stables, Inc.
Johnson and Wales Equestrian Center
Teaberry Farm
The Big Red Barn
Ventura Stables
Cape & Islands
Forget-Me-Not Farm
Holly Hill Farm
Pond View Farm
Smithfield Farm
Essex County
Back Bay Farm, Inc.
High Tail Acres, LLC.
Hunters Haven Farm
Indian Rock Stables
Lalobarun Ranch
Sons of the Wind, LLC
The Barnyard Maples
Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc.
Hampden County
Silvercryst Farm
Hampshire County
Greene Acres Equestrian Center
Middlesex County
Berryfield Farm
Harmony Horse Stables, LLC.
Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program
Pompositticut Farm Inc.
Sterling Riding Stables
The Ponderaia
Wildstar Farm LLC.
Norfolk County
Yankee Stables
Plymouth County
Briggs Stable, LLP.
Creek Crossing Farm
Lazy Stallion Friesians
Whit Acres Farm
Worcester County
Holly Hill West Inc.
Walking High Farm
Additional information about the MFBF’s annual meeting agenda, location and more is available here. Those not attending in person can follow the digital conversation on MFBF’s Facebook and/or Twitter.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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