News from the NOFA/Mass Policy Department

By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Interim Policy Director & Dago Driggs, NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor

A message from our Senior Policy Advisor, Dago (AKA "Marty") Driggs:

Hi friends. You might have seen the job posting for a new Policy Director and have questions about what I’m up to. I’ll very much continue to be involved here at NOFA/Mass, albeit in an advisory capacity. I’ll be focusing on supporting NOFA and groups like ours across the country in scaling out climate-resilient agriculture as the coordinator of the National Healthy Soils Policy Network (hosted by CalCAN). I’m hoping that you can help us identify the right candidate for Policy Director so that we can grow the NOFA/Mass Policy Department and keep building upon the momentum we’ve built together. Please check out the job posting and share with your networks. Thank you!

Healthy Soils Action Plan Funding Included in FY2024 Budget

Earlier this year, we shared the exciting news that the Healthy Soils Action Plan, which NOFA/Mass worked on alongside a network of allies and legislative champions for years, had officially been finalized and released. This step marked major progress, establishing Massachusetts as a national leader in advancing soil health practices. Now, we’re thrilled to report that the FY2024 budget, as passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Healey in August, includes $1.02 million in funding to support the Healthy Soils Program.

“The Healthy Soils Program was created with the passage of the Healthy Soils Bill in 2021, and subsequent efforts since the bill’s passage have focused on identifying and funding priority actions for the Program to implement (based on the Healthy Soils Action Plan and Resilient Lands Initiative),” said Dago Driggs, Senior Policy Advisor with NOFA/Mass. “With this funding, the Commonwealth will jump-start the development of a state Healthy Soils Program to increase coordination between state entities and establish strategic initiatives to scale out practices which will make our landscapes and farms more resilient to climate impacts.”

Rep. Jim McGovern Champions Bill to Increase Protections from Toxic Pesticides

Before Congress headed home for the August recess, Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) reintroduced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (PACTPA) in the House of Representatives. PACTPA calls on the EPA to remove the false sense of safety around certain pesticides, including organophosphates and neonicotinoids, closes loopholes that the pesticide industry has historically exploited to keep profitable but dangerous products in use, and requires the EPA to prioritize reassessing dozens of hazardous products already banned in the European Union or Canada. It would also ensure state and local governments retain the authority to implement stronger protections regarding pesticide use, including phaseouts and bans.

Many of these provisions are now being elevated to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to inform the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations. “We must take action to reduce the use of toxic pesticides and prioritize the health of our families, our farmers, and ecosystems,” said NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor Dago Driggs. “We are grateful to have Congressman McGovern as a champion, challenging special interests who attempt to obscure the impacts of their products.”

NOFA/Mass Joined Rep. McGovern on a Farm Tour

Not long after reintroducing PACTPA in the House, Rep. McGovern hit the road in Franklin and Hampshire counties for his 13th annual farm tour. Much of the focus of this year’s visits was on the climate impacts that have devastated farms throughout the state, including the late spring frost and the summer’s flooding. Rep. McGovern was clear that while helping these farms through the immediate crisis they face this season is crucial, we must also be focused on long-term solutions.

One of the stops on this year’s tour was Long Life Farm in Hopkinton, which is run by NOFA/Mass board and staff member Laura Davis and her husband Donald. Check out Laura and Rep. McGovern touring the farm, below.

Take Action

Wondering how you can help support Massachusetts farms impacted by climate change and this year’s extreme weather? Our friends at Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) have put together a great resource page. You’ll find information on the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, CISA’s Emergency Farm Fund, and which farms are able to accept direct financial support.

2023 Farm Bill: Support climate, land, and food justice for all!

You can help create a more equitable, climate-resilient, and community-based food system by asking your Members of Congress in the U.S. House and Senate to support the priorities put forward by farmers and advocates in the northeast for the 2023 Farm Bill.

We are asking Congress to :

Expand Opportunities in Organic
Demand Climate Action
Support Organic Dairy
Secure Equitable Access to Land and Credit
Protect Farms from PFAS
Reject False Solutions

Take Action

Click here to send an e-letter to your representatives co-signing your support for these Farm Bill priorities!

You can learn more about the NOFA Farm Bill campaign here.

Action Alert on Organic Certification Cost Share

The cost of organic certification is going up, but USDA reimbursements for organic certification costs haven’t been updated in more than two decades! Modernizing the Organic Certification Cost Share Program through the 2023 Farm Bill is critical to ensure that certification costs do not limit the growth of the organic sector and the adoption of regenerative organic practices.