Patrick Administration Awards Agricultural Grants

Dairy farming, biofuels and farm labor study projects funded

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles today announced $600,951 in matching grants to expand the Massachusetts agricultural sector and help farmers improve operations and reduce operating costs.

The goal of the Agricultural Innovation Center is to build partnerships between the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) and industry and trade organizations to develop agricultural enterprises that provide long-term economic development opportunities and introduce environmentally sustainable practices.

Eight Agricultural Innovation Center grants were awarded to projects in Amherst, Ashland, Bedford, Belchertown, Boston, South Deerfield, and Wellesley. Grants are funded through the department’s operating budget.

“We’re pleased to reward these innovative organizations for their work to grow the Massachusetts agricultural economy,” Secretary Bowles said. “These projects are models for successful collaboration to address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges: energy costs, labor shortages, and aging infrastructure.”

The DAR received and evaluated 28 proposals for the 2009 Agricultural Innovation Center grants, which require substantial matching funds from industry and other sources. This year’s grant winners include projects aimed at implementing energy efficient greenhouse heating systems, developing bio-fuel crop production, diversifying dairy operations, and addressing labor needs.

“These projects are in keeping with Governor Patrick’s strong commitment to help the agricultural industry innovate by adopting clean energy technologies and partnering to share regional resources,” DAR Commissioner Doug Petersen said.

“I am excited about these grants which support innovative projects that link agriculture with local alternative energy resources, and new value-added food products that will be good for both the farmers and consumers in western Massachusetts,” said Rep. Stephen Kulik.

The largest Agricultural Innovation grant – at $172,830 – goes to the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation in Ashland to improve the milk processing facilities of four dairy producers.

Projects funded by Agricultural Innovation Center grants are:

Field to Table – South Deerfield ($108,700)

The grant will help establish the Hilltown Farmers’ Biodiesel Cooperative. The group’s aim is to locally produce fuel for farmers to use to run machinery such as tractors and farm trucks;, heat milking parlors and greenhouses, or to fuel maple syrup evaporators and electricity generators.

Lutheran Community Services of Massachusetts – Wellesley ($70,000)

To address statewide agricultural labor shortages, the grant will develop an agricultural employment consortium that links recent international refugees with Massachusetts agricultural employers, like nurseries and greenhouse growers.

Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation – Ashland ($172,830)

The federation’s grant will fund work with Department of Public Health on regulations to modernize four Massachusetts milk processing facilities.

Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association – Bedford ($100,000)

The award will fund the association’s grant program to award four to six commercial greenhouse growers with funding to make their operations more energy efficient and cost effective.

Massachusetts Waste to Energy – Boston ($20,000)

The grant funds the development of renewable energy revenue for Massachusetts dairy farms by developing strategies to maximize energy production and optimizing nutrient management.

Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative – South Deerfield ($42,679)

This project studies and develops business plans for obtaining and marketing three bio-fuel crops from low quality Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified timber harvested by cooperative members’ properties.

New England Small Farm Institute – Belchertown ($66,761)

The institute plans to work with local grower, baker and consumer groups to determine the viability of producing heritage grains in Massachusetts.

University of Massachusetts – Amherst ($19,981)

UMass researchers aim to conduct research and gather data to determine farm labor supply and demand in Massachusetts. The study will examine labor shortage strategies used in other states and include a survey of 600 farmers.