Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards More Than $2 Million to Upgrade Massachusetts Farms for Efficiency, Energy Savings, and Resilience

Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) today announced more than $2 million for the Climate Smart Agriculture Grant Program (CSAP) to help 68 Massachusetts farms and agricultural businesses buy new equipment, upgrade buildings, and install clean energy systems that cut costs and boost productivity. Administered by MDAR, the grants will support 78 projects to improve food safety, reduce energy costs, protect natural resources, and strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of Massachusetts agriculture

“Our farmers are keeping Massachusetts traditions alive, and we’re helping them adapt to a changing world,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will ensure Massachusetts farming families can invest in clean and efficient equipment so they can do what they do best – growing great produce, managing livestock, and keeping our communities fed and healthy.”

“Massachusetts farmers are leading by example, growing our food while protecting our land and water,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through this program, we’re helping them invest in upgrades that lower costs and keep our food supply safe and reliable.”

CSAP consolidates several grant programs into one streamlined application, supporting a range of projects in the areas of food safety, environment, energy, and composting. Applicants could apply for one or multiple projects, allowing farms to pursue capital improvement projects tailored to their operational priorities while contributing to the state’s climate, environmental, food safety, and food system goals.

“The CSAP grants are an investment in our farms’ future,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “With this support, farmers can buy better equipment, improve composting, and adopt climate-smart practices – making Massachusetts agriculture more resilient and ready for future generations of growers.”

“Our farmers are on the front lines of unpredictable and extreme weather, and the Climate Smart Agriculture Program is about giving them the tools to adapt to those pressures,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “By investing in operational and infrastructure upgrades, we are helping Massachusetts farms adapt to an ever-changing environment, protect their livelihoods, and continue to thrive as the backbone of our local food system that benefits us all.”

“Massachusetts farmers play a vital role in our local economies and food system, but they face real challenges from rising operating costs and increasingly unpredictable weather,” said Senator and Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Dylan A. Fernandes (D – Falmouth). “These grants will help farms invest in more efficient equipment, improve their facilities, and adopt practices that protect our natural resources. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for investing in our agricultural communities, helping keep these industries strong and preserving our agricultural heritage.”

“These are precarious times for farmers who not only need to prepare for more frequent drought and extreme weather but now have to contend with skyrocketing fuel costs and fertilizer prices,” said Representative and Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Aaron Saunders (D – Ludlow). “It makes these grants even more important. Governor Healey is there for our farmers, and I am proud to support this essential funding to support Massachusetts agriculture.” 

The following farms and agricultural operations are receiving grants through the FY27 Climate Smart Agriculture Program projects:

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