BOSTON — Massachusetts agriculture had a strong showing on Beacon Hill with more than 200 farmers and agricultural students attending the annual Agricultural Day at the State House. The event, during which locally-grown food and farm products are showcased, and farmers hold meeting with their local legislators, is a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and more than 35 agricultural organizations.
During the speaking program held at the event, Governor Charlie Baker declared March 27 as 2019 Agriculture Day in the Commonwealth. Building off this proclamation, MFBF President Mark Amato spoke to attendees about the state of the Massachusetts agriculture industry and bills that the groups who manage Ag Day believe could assist farmers.
During the event, MFBF farmer members advocated for these legislative priorities:
- SB 538 – an act encouraging the use of renewable energy on agricultural land;
- HB 868 – an act establishing a commission on livestock shelter requirements;
- SB 527 – an act to modernize certain provisions of the agricultural preservation restriction program; and
- SB 1268/HB 1856 – An act relative to Agricultural Commission input on board of health regulations.
The speaking program was wrapped up with MFBF presenting awards to long-time friends of Massachusetts agriculture. Honorees included:
- MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux;
- Representative Sarah Peake;
- UMass Professor Dr. Dan Lass; and
- Retired UMass Educator Kathy Carroll.
After the speaking program, locally-grown food and farm products were distributed to attendees during a Taste of Massachusetts reception. All food was prepared and served by Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School students under the guidance of Chef Margot Wilson. Farms that donated to this reception, included:
Atlas Farm, South Deerfield
Apex Orchards, Shelburne Falls
Azuluna, North Grafton
Barstow’s Longview Farm, Hadley
Blue Heron Farm, Charlemont
Buzz 10 Honey, Medway
C A Dowse & Sons, Inc., Sherborn
Cabot Creamery
Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, Carver
Carlson Orchards, Harvard
Chamutka Farm, Whately
Clarkdale Fruit Farm, Deerfield
The Country Hen, Hubbardston
Coutts Specialty Foods Inc., Shirley
Diemand Farm, Millers Falls
Ellison Farm, Ludlow
Five Way Foods, Dorchester
Four Star Farms, Inc., Northfield
Foxbard Farm, Shelburne Falls
Foxboro Cheese Co., Foxborough
Franklin County Community Development Corporation, Greenfield
Grant Family Farm, Essex
Great Hill Dairy, Marion
Greenwood Hill Farm, Hubbardston
Hilltown Pork Inc., Granville
Honey Pot Farm, Stow
Joe Czajkowski Farm, Hadley
Jordan Dairy Farm, Rutland
Kitchen Garden Farm, Sunderland
Lilac Hedge Farm, Jefferson
Lightning Ridge Farm, Sherborn
Maple Corner Farm, Blandford
Maple Hill Farm, Hardwick
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, Scituate
Mayval Farm, Westhampton
Merrimack Valley Apiary, Billerica
Mountain Orchard Farm, Granville
New England Apiaries & Billy C’s Raw Honey, Westfield
Northeast Harvest, Topsfield
OutPost Farm, Holliston
Pine Hill Orchard, Colrain
Plainville Farm, Hadley
Robinson Farm, Hardwick
Simple Gifts Farm, Amherst
Smith’s Country Cheese, Winchendon
Stony Farm, Holden
Teddy Smiarowski Farm, Hatfield
Twin Brook Farm, Weston
Verrill Farm, Concord
Wheel-View Farm, Shelburne Falls
Wintermoon Farm, Hadley
For a complete list of the issues MFBF members focused on during their visit to Beacon Hill, please click here. Photos from the event are available on MFBF’s Facebook page, found here: https://www.facebook.com/MAFarmBureau/.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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