Massachusetts Agricultural Viability Study

Massachusetts’ agriculture has declined substantially in recent decades, both in terms of land and total production. This study identifies the economic factors and processes which have precipitated this decline. The competitive position of the state's agriculture is primarily constrained by unavailability of reasonably priced agricultural land resulting in small farm size and commensurate low farm income; a limited quantity of large continuous blocks of productive land; higher prices for agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and petroleum products; extensive importation of feed grains and commensurate higher total costs; significantly higher taxes on agricultural land and buildings; and a multitude of nonagricultural demands for farmland. Future viability of various agricultural sectors favor those that use the land resource more intensively (fruit and vegetable farms) relative to those that use land extensively (dairy and other livestock operations). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has adopted agricultural assessment of farmland to decrease tax liabilities, has implemented the Agricultural Preservation Restriction Act whereby the development rights to agricultural land are purchased, and has developed an active "buy Massachusetts grown products" campaign. Other policy alternatives that may be considered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in future program initiatives aimed at assisting the agricultural sector, are presented.