BOSTON, MA – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced bold action to protect crucial agricultural resources in Massachusetts. Over $7.4 million in funding will be provided through the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program, overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), to three dairy farms: Pine Island Farm and Balsam Hill Farm in Sheffield, and Herrick Farm in Rowley. This investment is expected to significantly enhance farmland accessibility, strengthen food security, and safeguard environmental resources by ensuring approximately 600 acres of cultivated land remain permanently in agricultural production. Notably, two of these dairy farm acquisitions represent the largest "whole farm" buy-ins in the APR program's history.

 
Farmland Preservation: Key to Food Security and Rural Economy

Rebecca Tepper, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, emphasized, "The Agricultural Preservation Restriction program plays a vital role in keeping agricultural land in active use. Thanks to this program, nearly 1,000 farms, totaling over 75,000 acres, remain productive, growing food, supporting our rural economies, and sustaining generations of farming traditions." She further highlighted, "It's becoming harder for farmers to compete as land values rise, which is why this program is so important," expressing pride in the recent protection of several historic dairy farms.

MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randall stated, "The acquisition of these three dairy farms, especially Pine Island Farm and Herrick Farm, represents the largest single-farm asset funding investment in the APR program's history." He added, "Protecting farmland is one of the best ways to ensure farms continue to contribute to Massachusetts' food security, culture, public health, and natural resources. By permanently protecting the land, we help ensure farms remain affordable and accessible for future generations of farmers."

 
The APR Program: A Successful Model for Farmland Protection
Operating for nearly 50 years, the APR Program has successfully preserved Massachusetts farmland by compensating farmers for the difference between the "fair market value" and the "agricultural value" of their land, in collaboration with local land trusts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In return, the land is subject to a permanent deed restriction that prohibits future non-agricultural use. This restriction also limits resale value to its agricultural value, helping to keep land prices affordable.

In December 2023, MDAR released the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, a long-term strategic initiative to address farmland needs. A key principle of this plan was to significantly expand the protection of remaining farmland in the Commonwealth, particularly "whole farms." "Whole farm" protection is a tool that provides flexibility for the APR program to safeguard the infrastructure and natural resources that help participating farms remain sustainable. The addition of Pine Island Farm and Herrick Farm, where the entire property is brought into the APR program, marks significant progress toward achieving the goal of expanded farmland preservation.

Key Preserved Farms: Pillars of Local Economy and Ecosystem
The three dairy farms receiving support from the APR Program are:

Pine Island Farm – Sheffield, Massachusetts: Acquired for $4,075,000. This multi-generational dairy farm employs 15 full-time staff and raises the largest number of animals within the state. The 443-acre parcel has been leased by Pine Island Dairy Farm for over 20 years and was a critical component of the farm's operation. This land is used to grow feed necessary for the farm's over 1,500 dairy cows, which produce an average of 20 million pounds of milk annually. APR funds were combined with local funding support and an EEA Landscape Partnership Grant to help the farm acquire the land in 2024. The whole farm preservation was completed as part of a larger Cooper Hill Conservation Project led by the Sheffield Land Trust, The Trustees of Reservations, and the Housatonic Valley Association in Connecticut.

Herrick Farm Trust – Rowley, Massachusetts: Acquired for $3,350,000. This multi-generational farm has been in operation in Rowley since the early 1700s, starting as a sawmill and lumber business. The 137-acre parcel is one of the oldest farms in Essex County and is a diversified operation, producing and selling milk, corn, vegetables, eggs, beef, and timber. APR funds were combined with local funding support from the Essex County Greenbelt Association to help the Herrick family realize their long-term goal of protecting the entire parcel for future generations. Kathleen Herrick, a trustee of Herrick Farm, stated, "Herrick Farm has been family-owned for over 300 years, and we are so pleased to be able to keep it farming for future generations."

Balsam Hill Farm – Sheffield, Massachusetts: Acquired for $58,500. This multi-generational dairy farm has been in operation in Sheffield for over 35 years. The 14-acre parcel was acquired through APR and NRCS Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) funds and is used to produce corn silage for the farm's over 500 dairy cows. The farm leased the land for 19 years before acquiring it with APR and NRCS funding. Morven Allen, owner of Balsam Hill Farm, expressed strong support for the program, saying, "The APR program allowed me to fulfill my dream of farming on land I own. The state has done a tremendous job protecting excellent farmland around Sheffield, and the key is that the land remains affordable for farmers."

This announcement demonstrates Massachusetts' strong commitment to preserving its local agricultural heritage, enhancing food security for future generations, and conserving valuable natural resources. Such investments will play an essential role in sustaining the vitality of rural communities, contributing to the local economy, and providing residents with fresh, healthy food.

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