Www.Mass.gov/AGR NAAMO Conference July 12, 2015 A Snapshot of Massachusetts Agriculture.

www.Mass.gov/AGR

NAAMO ConferenceJuly 12, 2015

A Snapshot of Massachusetts Agriculture

2

Perspective: United States Population Density

• Massachusetts is 3rd most densely populated state • 852 residents/square mile; 9 times the national average• Massachusetts farmers face development pressure, high land values,

harsh winters, and other challenges unique to the Northeast.

3

Perspective: U.S. National Agricultural Production

Annual Agricultural Value

• Total Agricultural Value $395 Billion

• New England Total Value $2.8 Billion

• Massachusetts Total Value $492 Million

New England1%

United States99%

Massachusetts17%

New England83%

4

Perspective: MA Agriculture

Annual market value $492 million

7,755 farms

Over 523,000 acres

Average farm 68 acres

$64,000 annually

• Agricultural Processing and agricultural support industries add value and jobs to state’s economy

5

Massachusetts had a 1% increase in the number of farms and a 1% increase in land in farms. Land in farms saw a 14% decrease in cropland and a 29% increase in pastureland.

National Trends in Agriculture

6

Snapshot of Massachusetts Agriculture

7

Economic Impacts

8

Census Statistics: Farm Size

9

Census Statistics: Economic Class

10

Census Statistics: Age of Operator

11

Census Statistics: Female Operators

12

Trends in Massachusetts Agriculture Increasing numbers of farms

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 -

2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000

10,000

Massachusetts Farms

Year

Num

ber o

f Far

ms

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 514,000 516,000 518,000 520,000 522,000 524,000

Massachusetts Farmland

Year

Farm

land

(acr

es)

Consumer demand for locally produced foods• Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)• Farm Stands• Farmers Markets• Farm to School Programs• Boston Public Market

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 20200

50100150200250300

Growth in Farmers Markets

Year

Farm

ers M

arke

ts

13

Produce Availability

New Product Opportunities for Farmers

Farmers are moving from commodities to selling services and value added products -- diversification/differentiation is key:

Agri-tourism, Culinary Tourism, Value Added products

15

Direct Marketing

16

Agricultural Processing

Source: A Report by Farm Credit East 2012, “The Overlooked Economic Engine: Northeast Agriculture”

17

MA Agriculture Snapshot

Source: New England Agricultural Statistics 2012

Greenhouse and Nursery31%

Milk9%

Aquaculture4%

Vegetables12%

Other Crops8%

Other Livestock and Poultry9%

Cranberries20%

Other Fruits7%

Massachusetts Agricultural Output - 2012Dollars per Commodity

18

Greenhouse and Nursery

Market value of $144,188,000

31% of MA agricultural output

Over 1,000 commercial greenhouse and nursery operations•Potted plants•Perennials•Bedding plants•Cut flowers•Vegetables & herbs•Trees

Biggest Concerns: •Competition (e.g. Home Depot, Lowes)•Housing •Marketplace uncertainty

19

Greenhouse and Nursery

20

Cranberry and Other Berries

Total Market Value of $103,440,000Cranberries: $99.8M or 96%

20% of MA agricultural output

•400 cranberry growers•Price reports of as low as $6/barrel•Average Cost of Production (COP) $13/barrel

Biggest Concerns: •Supply > Demand•Stagnant demand, increasing supply•International Production•COP > Price/barrel

21

Cranberries and Other Berries

22

Fruits and Vegetables

Market value of $103,354,000

1,634 Total Produce Farms• 1,428 Vegetable farms• 206 Fruit farms (excludes berry growers)

Biggest concern: Food Safety Modernization ActEconomic Analysis based on FDA methodology:• 166 farms covered by the rule• Remainder falls under exemptions

23

Fruits and Vegetables

24

Apr-01 Jan-04 Oct-06 Jul-09 Apr-12 Dec-140.000

5.000

10.000

15.000

20.000

25.000

Farmer Milk Prices

Year

$/cw

t

Dairy

Market value of $44,250,0009% of MA agricultural output

147 dairy farms9 producer dealers13,000 milk cows

Value added: Cheese guild

Dairy Tax Credit

Biggest Concerns:•Fluctuating FMMO prices•COP > FMMO price

25

Dairy

26

Aquaculture

Market value of $23,251,0004% of MA agricultural output

200 Aquaculture Farms1,000 acres of intertidal and subtidal land

Biggest Concern: Vibrio parahaemolyticus•Proactive management by growers•Development of best management practices

27

Aquaculture

28

Livestock and Poultry

Livestock market value of $14,523,000•Over 2,000 farms

Poultry market value of $11,748,000•Over 1,200 farms

•Value-added•Increasing demand•People willing to pay a premium

Biggest concerns: •Demand > supply•Need for additional processing and slaughterhouse facilities

29

Livestock

30

Poultry

31

Our Mission• Ensuring the long-term viability of agriculture in

the Commonwealth• Helping to keep Massachusetts’ food supply safe

and secure• Working to keep Massachusetts agriculture

economically and environmentally sound• To support, regulate, and enhance the rich

diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community

• Fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production

Agency Overview

32

• Division of Agricultural Markets

• Division of Animal Health

• Division of Crop & Pest Services

• Division of Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance

MDAR’s Divisions

33

Division of Animal Health

The health and safety of the Commonwealth’s domestic animals is the Division of Animal Health’s primary responsibility. Through inspections, licensing, awareness and education the Division helps to ensure the general welfare of companion and food-producing animals across the state.When problematic situations develop, Animal Health staff work with the Department of Public Health, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the MSPCA, local veterinarians, local health departments, municipal animal inspectors and animal control officers to respond. Mounting a rapid response ensures the fewest number of animals and animal owners are

affected.

Animal Health Programs• Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund • Animal Imports and Livestock Markets • Biosecurity Program • Dairy Program • Equine Program • Farm Emergency Plan • Municipal Animal Inspectors • Pet Shop Licensing and Inspection Program • Poultry Program • Rabies Control Program • Reportable Disease Program • Shelter and Rescue Program • Swine (Porcine) Program

34

Division of Crop and Pest Services

• The Division of Crop and Pest Services is responsible for the regulation of the agricultural industry and pesticide application services in Massachusetts through the diligent inspection, examination, licensing, registration, quarantine, and enforcement of laws, regulations and orders.

Pesticide Program• Pesticide Licensing and Certification• Pesticide Product Registration• Pesticide Enforcement• School Integrated Pest Management• Rights-of-Way Management• Groundwater Program• Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)• State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRMCB)

Farm Products and Plant Industries• Apiary Inspection Program• Feed Registration and Certification• Fertilizer Registration and Certification• Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS)• Nursery Registration and Inspection• Phytosanitary Inspections• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)• Forest Pests• Fruit and Vegetable Inspection

35

Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance

• Technical Assistance– Aquaculture– Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAF

Os)– Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and

Renewables Program

• Outreach and Education– Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs

)– Agricultural Business Training Program (ABTP)– On Farm Strategies to Protect Water Quality

• Land Use– Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (

APR)– State-Owned Farmland Licensing Program– Environmental Review Regulatory– Agricultural Composting Program

– Farm Technology Review Commission (FTRC)– Milkhouse Wastewater Pilot Program

• Grants and Funding Programs– Agricultural Energy Grant Program (Ag-Energy)– Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Progr

am (AEEP)– Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program

(AFSIP)– APR Improvement Program (AIP)– Farm Energy Discount Program– Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP)– Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Pro

gram (MEFAP)– Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture Prog

ram (MEGA)– Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Retrofit Pr

ogram

– Urban Agriculture Program

The Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance (DACTA) promotes agricultural land preservation, environmental stewardship, technology, and technical assistance to meet the challenges of 21st century farming.

36

Agricultural Preservation Restrictions

37

Agricultural Food Safety Incentive Program

•Funding to upgrade their food safety measures on farms

•Fund practices that help minimize the risk of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses.

•Reimbursements up to $20,000 or 75% of total project costs.

• Wildlife fencing, packing shed walls, ceilings and light fixtures, hand washing sinks, restrooms, drainage systems, water systems, ice machines, and harvest gear.

•Additional consideration to applicants who are participants in the Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP), are currently audited under a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certifier

38

Urban Agriculture

39

Division of Agricultural Marketing

Programs•Agricultural Markets Program •MDAR Logo Program •Agricultural Directional Signage Program •Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Program •Agricultural Tourism •Culinary Tourism •Farmers' Market Nutrition Program •MassGrown & Fresher •Commonwealth Quality Program•Farmers' Markets

Services

•Export Development •Farm and Market Report •Farm Stands and Farmers' Markets Resources •Farm to School Project •Organic Cost Share Program •Value Added Food Products •Agricultural Event Certification for Wine Sales

The Division of Agricultural Markets offers field expertise in the development and support of innovative market venues, business expansion, grant opportunities, and consumer and industry outreach. Through its award-winning MassGrown & Fresher initiative and the Commonwealth Quality Program, the Division seeks to cultivate new opportunities for consumers to gain greater access to local agricultural products while endorsing high quality standards for growers and producers.

5

MassGrown & Fresher!

•A ubiquitous well-known brand promoting Massachusetts agricultural produce, products, and initiatives.•Award-winning website initiative. •Point-of-sale material. •Direct Marketing Campaign

http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/

41

Commonwealth Quality Program

42

Farmers Market Nutrition Programs

43

Communities with Agricultural Commissions and Right to Farm Bylaws

www.mass.gov/agr

34

For more information…