Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Agriculture Day with $3.3 Million in Funding

Today, Governor Maura Healey declared March 11, 2026, as Massachusetts Agriculture Day, marking the state’s rich farming heritage and the vital role agriculture plays in communities across the state. Farmers and growers from across Massachusetts gathered in the Great Hall at the State House to showcase the diversity of locally grown products and meet with state lawmakers.

“For generations, Massachusetts farmers have cultivated our land, grown our food, and strengthened our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “As we celebrate the nation’s 250^th birthday, we’re reminded of just how central agriculture has been to our history and our identity. Today, we celebrate that legacy – and reaffirm our commitment to the farmers and growers who carry it forward.”

“Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Farms create jobs, anchor local economies, and generate activity that reaches well beyond the farm- from food producers to retailers to restaurants. Every dollar invested in our farmers ripples through communities across the state.”

In recognition of the day, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $3.3 million in funding through three agricultural grant programs administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR):

The Cranberry Renovation & Enhancement Program supports cranberry growers in revitalizing their bogs, increasing yields, and improving the efficiency and sustainability of their operations. Since 2020, the program has awarded over $6.5 million to 104 growers, helping renovate 479 acres of growing space.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) provides financial incentives to farms that voluntary adopt conservation practices, improve soil health, invest in renewable energy, and upgrade aging equipment and infrastructure with energy efficient tools. The program helps farms lower their operating costs, reduce their environmental footprint, and build resilience against more frequent extreme weather. 

Finally, the Buy Local Program awards funds to the ten regional Buy Local groups operating across the state, connecting local farmers to their communities, and building consumer awareness for locally grown food.

“Massachusetts farmers have always been careful stewards of the land, and that tradition is stronger than ever,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Through CSAP, we’re seeing farms invest in solar, upgrade to more efficient irrigation systems, improve their soil health, better manage stormwater. These are good environmental practices that make farms more productive and more sustainable.”

International Year of the Woman Farmer – Massachusetts Women Farmer Spotlights

In conjunction with the United Nations declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, MDAR has been spotlighting Massachusetts women farmers throughout the year on its social media channels and has launched a website featuring women farmers nominated by their peers.

"This year, we’re excited to celebrate and uplift the many women farmers who are part of the Massachusetts agricultural sector,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “43% of our principal farm owners and operators in the state are women which is higher than the national average and one of the highest in the country! Together with the rest of our farming community, our industry is close-knit, resilient, dynamic, and committed to the best practices that will contribute to increasing agriculture in Massachusetts. With our Buy Local groups who have boots on the ground in their respective regions, they see first-hand the results that awareness campaigns and promotions have on educating buyers with the many benefits that buying local has on their community.”

These programs are an important part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Mass Ready Act, which aims to invest more in farms and local economies. The bill supports targeted investments in food security, climate-smart agriculture, and land conservation. In line with these goals, these grants also build on the Administration’s ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity. Governor Healey’s recently proposed budget increases funding for food banks through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP).

“From our farms to our fisheries, Massachusetts has a strong and proud agricultural tradition that we are honored to celebrate on Agriculture Day,” said State Senator and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Dylan Fernandes (D-Plymouth and Barnstable). “At a time when federal cuts to USDA and SNAP threaten our farmers, fishers, and the jobs they sustain, we remain committed to supporting them. My colleagues and I in the Legislature will continue ensuring programs like HIP, MEFAP, and others strengthen food access while supporting agriculture in the Commonwealth.”

“Our local farms are essential to Massachusetts’ economy and food security,” said State Representative and Acting House Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Aaron Saunders. “Supporting our farmers makes for a stronger Massachusetts, and I am thrilled to join my colleagues in the legislature and the Healey-Driscoll Administration to ensure we are there for our farmers.”

"Our Massachusetts farmers work diligently and often through difficult situations to deliver the high-quality food and products that people expect from us,” said Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation President and Dairy Farmer Warren Shaw. “Today gives our agricultural sector the opportunity to showcase what we raise and grow and to meet with our lawmakers and their staff so they can understand the situations we face to help us better serve our communities.”

The following are the recipients for this year’s Cranberry Renovation and Enhancement Program:

The following are the recipients of this year’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program: