Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Press Releases

• Published on May 16, 2024 - 20:24 GMT

  State Agricultural Department Highlights Mental Health Resources for Farming Community During Mental Health Awareness Month 

  Boston — In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is raising awareness of its MassGrown Wellness Program. The program was launched in 2023 to promote mental health and well-being …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on May 16, 2024 - 20:24 GMT

  

  State Agricultural Officials Highlight Transformative Local Food Program with Visits to Farms in Central Massachusetts 

  Petersham — Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle toured three farms in North Central Massachusetts today to celebrate the success of the innovative Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on May 1, 2024 - 14:35 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Encourages Residents to Support Massachusetts Greenhouses and Nurseries during Gardening Season 

  Boston — Spring has arrived in Massachusetts, and with it comes the gardening season. With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is encouraging all garden enthusiasts to visit …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on April 22, 2024 - 21:04 GMT

  

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Earth Week with Tours of Local Non-Profit and Dairy Farm in Western Massachusetts 

  North Amherst — In celebration of Earth Day, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle visited the Amherst Survival Center in North Amherst and Mapleline Farm in Hadley, demonstrating the Healey-Driscoll …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on April 3, 2024 - 21:41 GMT

  

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Agriculture Day with over $3 Million in Grants to Support Farmers 

  Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey declared April 3, 2024, as Massachusetts Agriculture Day. As part of the celebration, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced over $3 million in grants to support Massachusetts farmers through programs that improve …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on March 15, 2024 - 18:54 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Over $200,000 in Grants to Support Farmers Markets 

  Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is awarding over $205,000 to help farmers markets grow and expand their outreach to consumers. MDAR is awarding funding to 23 …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on February 28, 2024 - 22:41 GMT

  

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates 20,000th Animal to Receive Care through Spay/Neuter Voucher Program 

  Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced today that it has reached a milestone of helping more than 20,000 animals through its Spay/Neuter Voucher Program. Since 2012, MDAR’s Division of Animal Health has …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on February 26, 2024 - 19:05 GMT

  MDAR Marks National Invasive Species Awareness Week with Update on Spotted Lanternfly and Box Tree Moth Management 

  Boston — In recognition of National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is reminding residents to observe and report any sightings of invasive species that they might find. NISAW, which …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on February 23, 2024 - 16:54 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $1.75 Million in Grants to Help Massachusetts Farms Address Climate Change 

  Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1.75 million in Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) grants to 56 Massachusetts agricultural operations to implement management practices that will help them adapt to changing climate …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on February 13, 2024 - 17:54 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces over $8 Million in Grants to Support Greater Food Access in Massachusetts 

  Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $8.2 million to support greater food access to residents in underserved Massachusetts communities. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is awarding the Urban Agriculture …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on January 12, 2024 - 22:21 GMT

  Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Massachusetts  

  BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Division of Animal Health is informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in Barnstable County. MDAR and its partner agencies depopulated and …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on December 11, 2023 - 19:01 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $20 Million in Disaster Relief for Massachusetts Farmers  

  Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $20 million to farms impacted by several severe weather events this year. The Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program for Agriculture provides immediate assistance to 347 farmers in Western and …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on October 4, 2023 - 21:31 GMT

  

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares October “Massachusetts Cranberry Month” 

  Plymouth — To celebrate the start of the harvest season in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey is declaring October “Massachusetts Cranberry Month.” Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle joined state and …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on September 15, 2023 - 17:40 GMT

  Massachusetts Building at the Big E Fair Officially Open 

  WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) today announced the annual opening of the Massachusetts State Exposition Building during the 2023 Eastern States Exposition, better known as “The Big E.” This year, the 2023 …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on September 7, 2023 - 19:37 GMT

  Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund Distributes First Round of Funds for Flood-Impacted Massachusetts Farmers 

  Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) today celebrated the distribution of the first round of checks through the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund to flood impacted farmers in Massachusetts. …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on August 22, 2023 - 22:24 GMT

  

  State Agricultural Officials Announce Winners of the 2023 Massachusetts Tomato Contest 

  BOSTON — Today, Massachusetts agricultural officials joined tomato farmers from across the state on the plaza of the Boston Public Market for the Commonwealth’s 38th Annual Tomato Contest. Designed to increase awareness of locally grown produce, this year’ …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on August 18, 2023 - 22:00 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces over $4.7 Million to Preserve Massachusetts Farmlands 

  BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $4.7 Million in Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) funding to 12 farms across the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) APR program addresses …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on August 11, 2023 - 16:48 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $710,140 in Grants to Support APR Farms 

  BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced awards of $710,140 in APR Improvement Program (AIP) funding to nine farms across Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) grants provide business planning, …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on August 7, 2023 - 19:30 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates MA Farmers Market Week 

  BOSTON — In recognition of the important role that farmers markets play in providing and expanding access to fresh, healthy, and local food in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey has declared August 6 to August 12, 2023, as Massachusetts Farmers Market …

  Distribution channels:
• Published on July 20, 2023 - 18:27 GMT

  Healey-Driscoll Administration, United Way Announce Farm Resiliency Fund to Support Flood Relief Efforts  

  Easthampton — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) today announced the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund. The fund is a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations intended to …

  Distribution channels: