Log in links for this page

State-Owned Farmland Licensing Program

The State-owned Farmland Licensing Program makes state-owned agricultural land available to farmers.

The primary purpose of the State-owned Farmland Licensing Program is to make publicly-owned agricultural land available to farmers and others through agricultural licenses.

State-owned farmland parcels which are under the Care and Control of MDAR, and which are licensed for 5 year periods include:

  • Agawam Criminal Justice Training Center, Agawam (12.00 acres)
  • Danvers Agricultural Reserve, Danvers (205.50 acres)
  • Former Grafton State Hospital 1, Westborough (16.10 acres)
  • Taunton State Hospital, Lakeville (49.30 acres)
  • Middleborough 1 Middleborough (8.40 acres)
  • Northampton Agricultural Reserve, Northampton (283.75 acres)
  • Westborough State Hospital, Westborough (18.46 acres)
  • Westborough State Hospital, Westborough (51.10 acres)

The Department also licenses out farmland on other state properties under agreement with the appropriate state agency. Land licenses are bid out through an RFR process. Related RFR and other program notices will be posted here and in MDAR's Farm and Market Report. 

***Templeton State Agricultural Lands Now Available for Lease***

Total acreage of 72.247 +/- acres on 9 parcels in Templeton, Massachusetts at the Templeton Development Center state property. Parcels are available for lease individually or altogether. Fields have been in recent agricultural use.

Licenses for agricultural use of the fields are being offered for 5 years with the option to renew for up to 5 years. Hemp, marijuana and compost operations are not allowed and proposals for livestock must be part of a rotational plan. Insurance required for perspective licensees. There is no minimum acceptable rent, and all applications will be reviewed based on applicants’ credentials as a whole.

Proposals are due April 1st, 2024 to Barbara.Hopson@mass.gov or MDAR West Springfield Office. All applicants must provide a viable management plan and proposed license fee per year. More posted in official RFR.

Awards are estimated to be announced by April 2024 with contract start time as soon as a License is agreed upon and signed.  Details and proposal form here: Templeton RFR COMMBUYS

Contact   for State-Owned Farmland Licensing Program

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback