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What's New
 Join AFT as we meet with legislators on Tuesday March 10 at the State House in Boston for Massachusetts Agriculture Day. Ag Day is an opportunity to remind legislators of the importance of agriculture and to spread the No Farms No Food message. We will distribute our recently released Farms for the Future report and discuss with legislators and supporters the importance of creating a Massachusetts Food Policy Council. The Ag Day program includes orientation at 10am followed by legislator visits and speakers at 11:30 in the Nurses Hall. The day concludes with a “Taste of Massachusetts” reception in the Great Hall featuring farm and specialty food products from across the state. Look for us under the No Farms No Food banner.
Last year AFT No Farms No Food lapel stickers were in strong demand during "Agriculture Day" celebrations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Representative Dennis Guyer of Massachusetts, in a speech to participants, noted that No Farms No Food says it all. This year you can help spread the message. We hope to see you there!
Policy Update
AFT continues to work with a group of food, farm and conservation stakeholders to create a Massachusetts Food Policy Council [PDF] . State Representatives Steve Kulik and Linda Forry have introduced a bill (House #776) to establish a statewide food policy council. This council would be charged to create a comprehensive food policy for the Commonwealth that enhances the economic viability of Massachusetts agriculture; promotes food security and the long-term sustainability of the Commonwealth’s food supply; expands production and consumption of fresh, healthy, safe and locally-produced foods; and improves the nutritional health of the Commonwealth’s citizens.
Capping a year of significant legislative gains for agriculture and land protection, the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Deval Patrick joined together in the waning days of the 2008 legislative session to enact legislation creating a state conservation tax credit [PDF] . The measure goes into effect in 2011 and provides a state income tax credit to taxpayers who donate land or a conservation easement to the state or a nonprofit conservation organization. The credit is valued at 50 percent of the appraised value of the land, limited to $50,000 per gift, and can be carried forward for 10 consecutive years. At American Farmland Trust’s urging, the measure also creates a study commission to develop recommendations regarding whether to make the credit transferable.
 Read about the outcomes of the 2008 Legislative Season
FOcus on Massachusetts
Ben Bowell and Cris Coffin of AFT's New England Field Office recently presented a workshop entitled “Protecting Farms & Farmland: Making the Case & Exploring New Tools” [PDF] at the 2009 Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference in Worcester. The workshop reviewed Cost of Community Services studies and protection v. development scenarios. AFT provided updates on current farmland protection tools and explored potential new state and local tools such as farm pensions for preservation, installment purchase agreements, and municipal farmland protection contracts.
Federal Farm Policy and the farm bill: what’s in it for Massachusetts?
Energy and environmental policies are a priority for President Obama's Administration. At the heart of these issues lies American farmland. Agriculture can be part of the solution if the correct policies are enacted. Read our 9 for '09 policy recommendations and ask President Obama to engage agriculture in these critical issues.
The Apple as Planet Earth
Do you know how much of the earth is suitable for farming? Watch this short animated presentation and learn why protecting our farmland is so important.
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