Patrick Administration Announces Opening of Western Satellite State Agricultural Office in Amherst

BOSTON – The Patrick Administration today announced the opening of a Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Western Massachusetts satellite office in the Pioneer Valley – one of the Commonwealth’s agricultural epicenters.

With the new Amherst location, agricultural officials are able serve the state’s western region directly, meeting the Patrick Administration’s goal of improving delivery of government services to all regions of the Commonwealth.

“We’d like to welcome the members of the agricultural community to drop in and visit this new office, which is aimed at serving the agricultural constituents where they live and work,” said DAR Commissioner Scott Soares. “The agricultural industry in Massachusetts has a bright future and we look forward to face-to-face meetings at this office with community and industry representatives who are working toward that bright future with us.”

Located next door to the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, one of DAR’s primary partners, the office will maintain a rotating schedule of staff representing four divisions: Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop & Pest Services and Technical Assistance. The 2,400 square-foot office at 101 University Drive features a large on-site conference room for meetings, business development courses, workshops, classes, hearings and other agricultural events. The space is equipped with modular and moveable furniture and an overhead projector, so that the room can serve as either a classroom or traditional conference room. The office also has wireless technology for use by field inspectors, office staff and visitors.

“We are delighted that the DAR will have a new Western Massachusetts office accessible to farmers and partners, especially one that is designed to offer state-of-the-art services to the agricultural community,” said Alex Dowse, president of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau.

“We share a mutual mission with Commissioner Soares and his team to assist agricultural entrepreneurs in keeping agriculture viable and growing,” said Nancy Garrabrants, director of the University of Massachusetts–Amherst Extension Program, which offers agricultural studies program. "Our proximity will increase collaboration on projects that positively impact the constituents we work with."

The DAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of local agriculture in Massachusetts. The DAR is comprised of four divisions – Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance – tasked to support, regulate, and enhance the Commonwealth’s agricultural community. Through its strong partnerships with municipal and federal entities, farmers, and farming associations, the DAR’s services provide support for continued successful cultivation of a thriving and diversified agricultural industry; economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfilling agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production.

For more information, contact the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at 251 Causeway St., Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, (617) 626-1700 or www.mass.gov/agr. Contact information for the Amherst office is: 101 University Dr., Suite C4, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 548-1900.