www.Mass.gov/AGR

Commissioner John LebeauxNortheastern University

February 15, 2017

A Snapshot of Massachusetts Agriculture – Leveraging Local and

Regional Food Sources

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Perspective: United States Population Density

• Massachusetts is 3rd most densely populated state • 852 residents/square mile; 9 times the national average• Massachusetts farmers face development pressure, high land values,

harsh winters, and other challenges unique to the Northeast.

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Perspective: U.S. National Agricultural Production

Annual Agricultural Value

• Total Agricultural Value $395 Billion

• New England Total Value $2.8 Billion

• Massachusetts Total Value $492 Million

New England1%

United States99%

Massachusetts17%

New England83%

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Perspective: MA Agriculture

Annual market value $492 million

7,755 farms

Over 523,000 acres

Average farm 68 acres

$64,000 annually

• Agricultural processing and agricultural support industries add value and jobs to state’s economy

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Massachusetts had a 1% increase in the number of farms and a 1% increase in land in farms. Land in farms saw a 14% decrease in cropland and a 29% increase in pastureland.

National Trends in Agriculture

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Snapshot of Massachusetts Agriculture

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Economic Impacts

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Census Statistics: Farm Size

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Census Statistics: Economic Class

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Census Statistics: Age of Operator

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Census Statistics: Female Operators

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Trends in Massachusetts Agriculture Increasing numbers of farms

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 -

2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000

10,000

Massachusetts Farms

Year

Num

ber o

f Far

ms

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 514,000 516,000 518,000 520,000 522,000 524,000

Massachusetts Farmland

Year

Farm

land

(acr

es)

Consumer demand for locally produced foods• Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)• Farm Stands• Farmers Markets• Farm to School Programs• Boston Public Market

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 20200

50100150200250300

Growth in Farmers Markets

Year

Farm

ers M

arke

ts

New Product Opportunities for Farmers

Farmers are moving from commodities to selling services and value added products -- diversification/differentiation is key:

Agri-tourism, Culinary Tourism, Value Added products

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Direct Marketing

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Agricultural Processing

Source: A Report by Farm Credit East 2012, “The Overlooked Economic Engine: Northeast Agriculture”

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MA Agriculture Snapshot

Source: New England Agricultural Statistics 2012

Greenhouse and Nursery31%

Milk9%

Aquaculture4%

Vegetables12%

Other Crops8%

Other Livestock and Poultry9%

Cranberries20%

Other Fruits7%

Massachusetts Agricultural Output - 2012Dollars per Commodity

Agricultural Land ProtectionAPR Program

Stewardship Assistance and Restoration for APRS (SARA)

Farm Viability ProgramsFarm Viability Enhancement Program

APR Improvement Program (AIP)Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture (MEGA)

Urban AgricultureUrban Agriculture Grant

Food Ventures Grant (Urban and Rural Communities)

Environmental ProtectionAgricultural Environmental Enhancement Program

(AEEP)AEEP-Drought Program (AEEP-Drought)

Renewable Energy/ Energy EfficiencyAg Energy Grant

Ag Energy Special Project Grant Mass Farm Energy Program

Farm Energy Discount Program

Food SafetyAgricultural Food Safety Improvement

Program (AFSIP)

Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance

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Massachusetts Food Venture Program

The MFVP, part of the 2014 Environmental Bond Bill and funded for the first time in the 2017 Capital Plan

$1 Million in FY17, reimbursable grants ranging from $75-250,000

Provides financial support to food ventures, sited primarily in or near communities of low- or moderate-income, including Gateway Cities and rural communities.

Projects will improve access to Massachusetts-grown, harvested or caught food products through the development of collaborations with local agricultural enterprises and private/public entities.

The program will also help implement the goals of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan.

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Examples of Eligible Food Ventures Projects

Food Processing InfrastructureLarge Scale Local Retail MarketsFood Co-OpsGreenhouses and Farmer’s MarketsFood HubsCommercial Community KitchensCommunity Supported Agriculture

Businesses

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Urban Agriculture Program

• State Wide Pilot Program Launched in 2014

• Funding included in 2014 Bond Bill• 4 years, nearly 50 Funded Projects

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Examples of MDAR Funded Projects

• The Trust for Public Land, Boston $22,500.00 --Soil management• Nubian Society, Boston $6,476.95 --rainwater catchment system• Mass Audubon and City-Soil &

Greenhouse, Mattapan $62,100.00-- soil, irrigation, season

extension

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The MA Local Food Action Plan: Leveraging Resources

In 2 0 1 3 , t h e M A Fo o d Po l i c y C o un c i l e nga ge d a p l a n n i ng te a m to deve l o p:

“a well-laid-out vision and plan to increase agricultural production, processing and distribution that will serve as economic stimulus and address multiple related public health and food security issues.”

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MA Local Food Action Plan

T he p l a nn in g p ro c e s s i n c l u de d:

• L i te ratu re rev i ew• D ata a na l ys i s• O ve r 1 , 5 0 0 sta ke h o ld e rs t ho ug h

• P u b l i c f o r u m s• Wo r k i n g g r o u p s• O n e - o n - o n e i n t e r v i e w s

• We bs i te / s o c i a l m e di a

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MA Local Food Action Plan, 4 overarching goals

1. Increase production, sales & consumption of Massachusetts-grown foods

2. Create jobs & economic opportunity in food & farming, & improve the wages and skills of food system workers.

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Food Plan goals…

3. Protect the land and water needed to produce food, maximize environmental benefits from agriculture and fishing, and ensure food safety.

4. Reduce hunger and food insecurity, increase the availability of healthy food to all residents, and reduce food waste.

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Leveraging Resources

In Dec. 2015, the MA FPC accepted the Plan. The past year, 2016 was focused on Implementation.

Six priorities are the focus for 2017.

Leveraging resources is a priority.

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Food Waste: Leveraging Resources

• Reduce food waste through state programs for farmers, restaurants, processors, schools and other institutions, and consumers. A current focus is to support the Commercial Food Waste Ban by developing policies and programs to divert food waste from landfills. Support for donation programs, conversion of food waste to animal feed, composting, and the development of anaerobic digestion facilities are also priorities.

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Framework for leveraging resources

The MA Local Food Action Plan offers a template to identify priorities and partners to leverage resources to accomplish goals and objectives in the MA food system.

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/agr/boards-commissions/food-policy-council.html

www.mass.gov/agr@MDARCommish

To sign up for our bi-monthly Farm & Market Report please email:

Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us

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For more information…