Creating a Buy-Protect-Sell Program for MDAR

MDAR is moving forward with the development of a Buy-Protect-Sell (BPS) program, supported by newly granted legislative authority to buy and sell land while ensuring its permanent protection. This will be an important tool in helping mitigate farmland loss and will allow the department to purchase farmland, apply a permanent agricultural preservation restriction, and sell it to a farmer or beginning farmer to ensure it does not convert to non-agricultural uses in the future.

MDAR staff have been actively researching and shaping the framework for this initiative and are now ready to share preliminary concepts for feedback. Input from community members, farmers, land trusts, landowners, and other stakeholders is essential to help shape a program that reflects the needs and values of Massachusetts’ agricultural community.

Save the Date for Thursday April 2 at 12pm to join a presentation and discussion on MDAR’s Buy-Protect-Sell (BPS) Program, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about MDAR’s vision for the program, ask questions, and share your perspective.

More details about this event will be emailed to those who are registered.

This is the second virtual event being held on this topic. If you attended the first meeting, the presentation will be the same, but the discussion portion will be focused on ways the needs of farmers can be best incorporated into the program. As such, this event is open to everyone but is oriented towards farmers, prospective farmers, beginning farmers, and organizations that work closely with and/or represent farmers.  

Register here to join the discussion.