The Department of Food and Agriculture regulates and promotes the Commonwealth's agricultural industry. These services are intended to safeguard public health and the environment, while ensuring the continued viability of the Commonwealth's agricultural sector. Thus, although more than 1.5 million acres of Massachusetts farmland have gone out of production since 1945, regulatory services and programs such as the Agricultural Preservation Restriction program, initiated in 1977, help maintain the economic viability of farming and ensure that land currently serving agricultural purposes will continue to do so.

Budget Recommendations

In an effort to preserve and promote the Commonwealth's commercial fishing industries while still protecting our coastal resources, the Fiscal Year 1998 recommendation includes an additional $630,000 for aquaculture research, promotion, and expansion; and an additional $5.57 million in account 2511-0105 for emergency food assistance for needy families and individuals, including those who have lost federal Food Stamp benefits.

Budgetary Direct Appropriations

DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ADMINISTRATION
2511-0100	For the office of the commissioner of the department of food and agriculture, including the expenses of the board of agriculture	595,541

SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
2511-0105	For the purchase of supplemental foods for the emergency food assistance program within the second harvest nationally-certified food bank system of Massachusetts; provided, that not less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be made available to the greater Boston food bank for the establishment of a state-wide nutrition education program; and provided further, that not less than six million two hundred eighty thousand dollars shall be made available to the greater Boston food bank for the purchase of food, said food to be distributed as follows: seventy and eight tenths percent to the greater Boston food bank, sixteen and eight tenths percent to the food bank of western Massachusetts, and twelve and four tenths percent to the Worcester county food bank	6,430,000

DIVISION OF DAIRY SERVICES
2511-2000	For the operation of the division of dairy services	463,485

DIVISION OF REGULATORY SERVICES
2511-3000	For the operation of the division of regulatory services and animal health, including a program of laboratory services at the university of Massachusetts at Amherst, a rabies control program, and expenses of the pesticides board	1,900,243

DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
2511-3002	For the integrated pest management program	262,000

DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FAIRS
2511-4000	For the operation of the division of agricultural development and fairs, including the expenses of the agricultural lands board; provided, that allotment funds for 4-H activities may be expended from this item	1,571,754

AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
2511-4010	For the development and operation of the aquaculture program	630,000

STATE RECLAMATION BOARD
2520-0100	For the operation of the state reclamation board	53,883
	Mosquito and Greenhead Fly Control Fund 100%

Federal Grant Spending

PESTICIDE ENFORCEMENT
2511-0310	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Pesticide Enforcement	250,000

PESTICIDE INSPECTION
2511-0311	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Pesticide Inspection	40,600

CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
2511-0320	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Certification of Pesticide Applicators	45,000

DEVELOPMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL MARKETING
2516-9002	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Development of Institutional Marketing	85,000

FARMERS' MARKET COUPON PROGRAM
2516-9003	For the purposes of a federally funded grant entitled, Farmers' Market Coupon Program	488,040

Trust and Other Spending

2511-0000

AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES FUND

500

2518-1002

SIMULCAST WAGERING OF HORSE RACING TRUST

12,000