Beginning Farmer Resources

Agriculture is thriving in Massachusetts due to a trend toward smaller farms, niche marketing, direct sales and a growing awareness of the impact of local sustainable agriculture systems on the health of people, communities and the environment. Statewide, agricultural enterprises generate over $475 million in cash sales (USDA New England Agricultural Statistics Service), employ over 13,500 workers and pay nearly $100 million in wages (Massachusetts Department of Agriculture) and Massachusetts has over 200 farmers markets (Massachusetts Department of Agriculture). 

Here are State Fact Sheets-Massachusetts from USDA Economic Research Service on the census of agriculture, population, income, education and other relevant data for anyone interested in starting an agricultural business. http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/MA.htm

Resources for beginning farmers are available through the University of Massachusetts Extension program, part of the Center for Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As the state's land-grant institution, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst has the technical resources, faculty and professional staff to provide the research-based assistance needed by farmers of all backgrounds. This includes diagnostic services for pest and soil management, technical guides on all aspects of sustainable production and marketing of food crops and two research farms where new crops and production practices are constantly evaluated and refined. We draw upon our Extension history, a body of experience with a wide range of educational apporaches to adult learning, from one-on-one training on the farm, to interactive workships and academic coursework. Our goal is to enhance the likelihood of success of new agricultural enterprises by making the best resources and training available to all new or diversifying farmers in Massachusetts.

The information on the pages listed on the left are resources for new as well as existing farmers, providing answers to questions on a wide variety of topics, from growing individual crops to business planning, labor law, zoning, regulations, marketing and diagnostic and soil test services.