Trends in APR Program Acquisitions: What Is (and Is Not) Being Protected   

AFT has undertaken a research project to analyze what is, and is not, being protected through the APR Program, and how the program's rules and policies (such as the price per acre and local match) are impacting the quality, quantity and geographic location of land enrolled in the program, and to develop policy recommendations to address these impacts.  This project is being done in collaboration with MA Department of Agricultural Resources, USDA-NRCS, MA Farm Bureau, Trust for Public Land and First Pioneer Farm Credit.  Research results are available below:

• APR Application Criteria and Considerations [PDF]
• NRCS Analysis: Hot-Spots for Farmland Protection in Massachusetts [PDF]
• Survey of Farm Bureau Members [PDF]
• Summary of Farm Bureau Member Survey Results [PDF]
• Summary of Land Trust Survey Results [PDF]
• Policies of Farmland Protection Programs in Other States [PDF]

Statewide Farmland Protection Forum Held to Explore New Tools

On December 3rd AFT convened over 60 farmers, legislators, representatives from farm and conservation organizations, and state agency officials for a day-long Farmland Protection Forum.  The Forum examined the Commonwealth's current farmland protection toolbox and explored potential new land protection and conservation finance tools, including farmer pensions, eco-system service payments, and agricultural districts. Participants also identified other opportunities to advance farmland protection in the state.  AFT is currently working with Forum participants and a steering committee to refine and pursue possible new tools. 

Participants also received AFT’s newly released Farms for the Future: Massachusetts’ Investments in Farmland Conservation, a report which laid the groundwork for the Forum.  Farms for the Future provides a better understanding of the state’s agriculture sector and the land on which it relies.  The report includes a review of state programs and recommends a number of actions to improve and complement those programs. 

AFT would like to thank the Northeast Farm Credit Agenhancement Program, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and AFT's New England Contributors for thier financial support in making the forum and report possible.

Presentations and Handouts

• Massachusetts Farmland Protection Forum Agenda [PDF]
  
  
• Farmland Loss in Massachusetts
  Ben Bowell, American Farmland Trust
  Presentation
• Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program
  Ron Hall, MA Department of Agricultural Resources
  Presentation / Municipal Match Handout
• Farm Viability Enhancement Program
  Craig Richov, MA Department of Agricultural Resources
  Presentation
• Chapter 61, 61A and 61B
  Bob O’Connor, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
  Handout
• State Executive Order 193 and Agricultural Lands Mitigation Policy
  Barbara Hobson, MA Department of Agricultural Resources
  Executive Order 193 Handout / Agricultural Lands Mitigation Policy Handout
• Federal and State Tax Incentives
  David Santomenna, Essex County Greenbelt Association
  Steve Long, the Nature Conservancy
  Federal Tax Incentives Presentation / State Tax Incentives Handout
• Community Preservation Act
  Clem Clay, Trust for Public Land
  Presentation
• Linking State Pensions and Farmland Protection; Ecosystem Services Payments
  Mike McGrath, Delaware Department of Agriculture
  Handout / Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation Handout
• Agricultural Districts; Municipal Incentive Agreements
  Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust
  Presentation / Handout
• Installment Purchase Agreements; Aggie Bonds
  Pat O’Connell, Evergreen Conservation Finance
  Presentation / Nutrient Credit Trading Handout / Pensions for Preservation Handout

Back to Massachusetts Home