The 2023 Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan outlines a pathway for many partners across the state to address the urgent challenges of farmland loss, access to farmland and farm economic viability. During the initial steps of its implementation, there were several requests for additional information about how to incorporate farmland protection into municipal plans, including Open Space and Recreation Plans (OSRPs).
In 2025 MDAR launched this webpage as a starting point for farmland and agricultural resources for municipalities. In the coming months additional resources will be added to this webpage as they become available.
Resources
The following are some resources that could be helpful for municipalities from a planning perspective:
- Open Space and Recreation Planner’s Workbook (“OSRP Workbook”). 2025 Update. By the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS). This document includes some updates related to planning for agriculture.
- Local Food Systems. The Role of Municipal Governments. September 2018. By the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative. This document highlights some considerations relating to how farmland fits into the wider food system from a municipal perspective – for municipal leadership, planning and development, health, schools, public works and public safety.
The following resources have some useful wider context related to agriculture in Massachusetts:
- Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan 2023 and the 2024 Progress Report. By the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
- Agricultural Resources, Facts and Statistics collated by MDAR
- New England Feeding New England – A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience 2023 and Massachusetts State Brief 2023 by New England Food System Planners Partnership
- Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan 2015 by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and Massachusetts Workforce Alliance for the Massachusetts Food Policy Council
Agricultural Commissions
Massachusetts towns and cities have the authority to establish municipal agricultural commissions to “promote and develop the agricultural resources of the municipality”.
Through a partnership with Conservation Works, LLC, MDAR can provide support to Massachusetts Agricultural Commissions (AgComs) and municipalities interested in establishing an AgCom.
Click here for more information about Ag Coms and for contacts who can provide assistance.
Sign up for Newsletter
Click here to sign up for the Farmland Action Plan newsletter, which will include some additional emails related to these resources.