by Annie Sholar

Early last month, NOFA/Mass had the opportunity to spend a day inside the Statehouse, connecting with legislators and staff about bills and issues facing organic farmers and growers throughout the state. We’re excited to share some of the highlights from Ag Day 2024 in this edition of the Policy Newsletter! 

Celebrating Victories

NOFA/Mass’s Senior Policy Advisor Marty Dagoberto explains that the Ag Days event is “very much a celebration” of the work and changes made to improve Massachusetts’s agricultural sector over the past year. Policy Coordinator Randy Violette, attending his first Ag Days event, agreed, pointing to the “overwhelming air of positive energy” in the room during award presentations and one-on-one conversations.

This year, there were several moments of celebration. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle introduced the 12 high school seniors who will serve as the inaugural members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Youth Council.

NOFA/Mass was also happy to see Representative Paul Schmid presented with the Kent Lage Memorial Award, honoring his commitment to Massachusetts agriculture. Rep. Schmid has long been a champion for agricultural priorities in the statehouse, and his support was essential to passing the Healthy Soils Program bill. We’re pleased to see his dedication and hard work recognized by the state and the agricultural community.

The inaugural Massachusetts Agricultural Youth Council

Photo credit: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

In Conversation

While at Ag Days, NOFA/Mass staff also had the opportunity to connect with legislators and their staffers about two of our priority bills for this year:

1. Center farmers with PFAS reforms 

Our farming community must not bear the burden of protecting our families and ecosystems from PFAS “forever chemicals.”

H.4288, “An Act protecting our soil and farms from PFAS contamination,” will provide financial and liability relief should farmers’ ability to grow crops be impacted by PFAS, as well as establish an account to support technical assistance and education to help farmers adapt to new practices that reduce the use and dispersion of PFAS.

2. Promote pollinator health and habitat 

Photo credit: Nicole Marcotte

S.520/H.843, “An Act to protect pollinator habitat”, comes at a pressing time when pollinator populations are in decline, posing a threat to food security and the resilience of our natural areas.

This bill would work to counteract this trend by establishing a commission to study statewide opportunities for improving pollinator health by increasing and enhancing native habitat and by examining related issues including current laws and regulations, funding, best management practices, and the use of public lands.

We were happy to connect with supporters for each of these bills, and communicate with staffers for offices that have not yet signed on.

What’s Next?

In addition to continuing conversations on our priority bills for this legislative session, NOFA/Mass also aims to continue building energy and support for the Healthy Soils Program.

Massachusetts has made a lot of progress on Healthy Soils, including passing a bill approving the Healthy Soils Program, releasing a Healthy Soils Action Plan, and initiating a round of Healthy Soils Challenge Grants.

However, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has yet to spend any of the nearly one million dollars allocated to the program.

At Ag Day, NOFA/Mass staff talked to representatives and their legislative staffers about the importance of getting this program staffed and running, so that the funding doesn’t go unused.

All in all, the annual Ag Days event at the Statehouse is a great way to connect and collaborate with legislators and other organizations around the state. We’re already looking forward to next year!