Bill > S2880

This bill aims to advance food and agricultural equity in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It includes the following key provisions: 1. It amends the composition of an existing advisory committee on agriculture to include the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. 2. It establishes a "circuit rider program" within the Department of Agricultural Resources to provide on-site guidance to farmers about available state programs, regulations, and funding opportunities. 3. It requires that the valuation of agricultural land restricted for conservation purposes include the value of any existing easements, infrastructure, and improvements on the property. 4. It creates a Massachusetts Farmer Equity Commission Fund to provide stipends to non-governmental members of the commission for their work. 5. It establishes a "Next Generation Farmers Fund" to provide grants for agricultural workforce development programs, with a focus on serving environmental justice populations and people with disabilities, as well as programs that promote climate-smart farming practices. 6. It creates a "Local Garden Agriculture Program" to enable Massachusetts residents to establish small-scale food gardens, with the goals of localizing food production and increasing access to locally-grown, nutritious food. 7. It directs the Department of Conservation and Recreation to establish programs for community gardens and farmers' markets on state-owned land. 8. It requires the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to develop plans for supporting agricultural, seafood, and food production in the event of supply chain disruptions. 9. It establishes a special legislative commission to investigate and make recommendations for promoting racial equity in agriculture in the Commonwealth.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2880