Farms for the Future: Massachusetts - American Farmland Trust

Farms for the Futureprogram, the FVEP program, and the state’s AEEPare given priority as each of these programsrequires that farmers have and comply with afarm conservation plan. The Commonwealth’sannual investment of around $200,000 has beenmatched with equal funding from USDA’s NaturalResources Conservation Service (NRCS). 36FARM-TO-SCHOOLInterest in serving locally grown foods in schoolcafeterias and other public and private institutionshas increased dramatically in recent years, and arecently enacted state “agricultural preference”law is intended to encourage this trend.Through support for the Farm-to-School Project,the MDAR helps match farm suppliers with institutions.In the past three years, the number offarms selling directly to schools has grown from20 to 69. State spending on this initiative totaled$65,000 in 2005 and 2006. The program’s totalbudget for 2008–2009 is $133,000. 37Over 167 public school districts,private schools and colleges around the statenow serve local foods.AGRICULTURE BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMThe Agricultural Business Training Program(ABTP) provides locally tailored business trainingto farmers around the state. The program offersmultiple course formats, including a 10-sessiongeneral agriculture business course (Tilling theSoil of Opportunity) and beginning farmertraining (Exploring Your Small Farm Dream).Co-sponsors of these courses have includedregional “Buy Local” campaigns, ResourceConservation and Development Councils,Community Development Corporations, andcommodity associations.Since the program began, more than 300 farmbusinesses have graduated from the program’svarious courses. From 2001 to 2005, the programspent approximately $15,000 per year, some ofwhich came from federal grants. In 2006 and2007, program spending increased to $30,000with new course formats. The MDAR anticipatesthat the program will cost $35,000 annually infuture years. 38Improving on-farm irrigation efficiencyrelieves pressure on public water supplies andimproves stream flows for fish and otheraquatic species.AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTALENHANCEMENT PROGRAMThe AEEP is designed to help farms mitigate theirimpact on the environment and to encourage environmentalstewardship. While primarily a waterquality program, AEEP also funds practices thatpromote energy efficiency, conserve water and$2.5Farm Viability Enhancement Program:Historic Spending$2.1Million MIllions$2.0$1.5$1.0$1.3$0.8$1.7$1.5$1.0 $1.0$1.5$1.2$1.1$1.2$0.5$0.0FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08NOTE: Adjusted for Inflation: based upon the Bureau of Labor and Statistics CPI calculator: http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.plSource: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 200814American Farmland Trust