U.S. Department of Agriculture Census Shows 27 percent growth in Agricultural Sales by Massachusetts Farms

Direct sales jump to $42 million, organic sales double

BOSTON –A new report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that Massachusetts agriculture expanded from 2002 to 2007, growing by 27 percent both in crop and livestock sales and in the total number of farms, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles announced today.

The USDA’s latest agricultural census states that the number of Massachusetts farms increased from 6,075 in 2002 to 7,691 farms in 2007. The market value of agricultural production also jumped during the same period, from $384 million to $490 million.

“We’re thrilled to see the USDA’s report reflect an uptick both in the number of Massachusetts farms and in sales here – a trend that reflects increased support for local sustainable agriculture,” Secretary Bowles said. “Governor Patrick considers farms and farming treasured parts of the Commonwealth’s economy, and the administration is proud of preserving that treasure by protecting 3,241 acres of Massachusetts agricultural land in 2008.”

The census data also show total direct sales from Massachusetts farms totaled $42 million in 2007, compared with $31 million in 2002. Organic sales rose to $17.5 million in 2007 from $7.8 million in 2002.

“These results demonstrate the strength of Massachusetts agriculture, and we are committed to doing everything we can to make it even stronger,” said Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Doug Petersen.

The USDA also reported that income generated from tourists visiting Massachusetts farms, known as agritourism, leaped from $665,000 in 2002 to $5.3 million in 2007, and noted a rise in the number of women farmers from 21 percent in 2002 to 29 percent in 2007. The number of women farmers in Massachusetts is double the national average of 14 percent in 2007.

The number of farms across the region also rose. There were 33,112 New England farms in 2007, compared with 28,254 farms in 2002. Massachusetts had the second largest number of farms in New England behind Maine, which had 8,136 farms in 2007.

“Farms are critical to maintaining open space, providing fresh local produce and to reducing our carbon footprint,” said Rep. Frank Smizik, chairman of the Committee of Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m pleased that DAR’s Buy Local campaign, farm viability program and open space preservation investments have been so successful in stimulating our agricultural economy.”

“The census results carry a positive message for Massachusetts agriculture. Due largely to DAR programs, the farmland acreage stabilized in 2007 for the first time in modern history,” Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Doug Gillespie said. “The results are a testimonial to the farm viability and business assistance programs that have made DAR a model agency amongst its peers.”

To boost interest in maintaining and growing existing farms and to spur the growth of new farms, DAR helps to train farmers in business practices, through the Agricultural Business Training Program, and food safety practices, through the Commonwealth Quality Program. DAR also works to inform the public about opportunities for culinary and agricultural tourism.

To date, farmers from more than 300 farms have completed a DAR-sponsored business planning program. Under the Commonwealth Quality Program, DAR launched a new initiative in 2009 to enhance local consumption and procurement practices based on food safety programs such as USDA’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program.

For more information about these programs, go to http://www.mass.gov/agr/.

EEA and its agencies, including DAR, took action to permanently protect 24,104acres of land – the equivalent of 66 acres per day – in fiscal year 2008. Under this initiative, the Patrick Administration permanently protected 1,530 acres of farmland in 18 communities through 27 Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program projects. In addition, 1,711 acres were placed under 10-year agricultural covenants through the Farm Viability Enhancement Program.

The APR Program is a voluntary program that pays farmers and other owners of targeted agricultural land the difference between the fair market value and the agricultural value of their farmland. In exchange, the land is protected under a permanent deed restriction, which precludes development or any use of the property that would reduce its agricultural viability.

The Farm Viability Enhancement Program helps farmers design plans to make farms more efficient, economically viable, and environmentally friendly. More than 99 percent of the 300 plus farms enrolled in the program since its inception remain in business today.

In August 2007, Governor Patrick made a historic commitment to land preservation, pledging to invest at least $50 million annually – a 65 percent increase over yearly land protection spending during the previous four years, adjusted for inflation. Primary funding for statewide land conservation programs comes from the $1.7 billion Energy and Environment Bond Bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Patrick in August 2008.