This week the MA House of Representatives is considering H.4789, an economic development bond bill. Please call your representatives by THURSDAY (6/27/24) and urge them to support five amendments that would provide needed support for the Commonwealth’s local food system. Find your representative’s contact information here.
- Amendment 62 – filed by Rep. Schmid – would allow the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources to buy, protect, and sell farmland, which is a key authority change to further the goals of the state’s Farmland Action Plan, and prevent further farmland loss. According to the 2022 Agricultural Census, the Commonwealth lost 27,000 acres of farmland from 2017-2022.
- Amendment 63 – filed by Rep. Schmid – would add the Department of Fish and Game to Mass. Food Policy Council. This agency includes the Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts is a national leader in seafood landings, and it is important that this sector of the state’s food system be represented on the Council.
- Amendment 65 – filed by Rep. Schmid – clarifies the definition of agritourism.
- Amendment 495 – filed by Rep. Blais – would add a staff coordinator position to the Mass. Food Policy Council, subject to appropriation. This coordinator would serve in an advisory capacity to all agencies to coordinate and inventory food programs, and develop and track metrics related to food system goals.
- Amendment 539 – filed by Rep. Blais – creates a next generation farmer fund, funded by the workforce development trust fund annually with $3 million for grants to higher education institutions, vocational technical schools, and community based organizations that provide workforce development training to new farmers.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
