Massachusetts Grants Give Beginning Farmers Momentum

In partnership with: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

The average age of farmers nationally is increasing, and it’s no different for Massachusetts. To keep farming a viable career choice, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has a bevy of programs to encourage beginner farmers to continue growing their businesses.

“A lot of our farmers are aging. Some of them don’t have an identified successor to take over their business, land and assets,” says Melissa Adams, MDAR’s farm viability and agricultural training programs manager. “We’re ready to contribute to a strong regional agricultural economy, but there’s a lot of challenges and learning involved.”

The department offers grants as well as courses such as Exploring the Small Farm Dream, a five-week course developed by the New England Small Farm Institute for those looking into or planning to start a commercial farm business. Classes cover topics such as finding land, farming finances and marketing, and they connect students with early-stage farmers who are just a little ahead of them. 

“Students have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the farmers and get a better sense of both the challenges and the things they really like about working as a farmer,” Adams says.

Urban Farming

The increase in farming assistance includes more urban areas as well. Through MDAR’s Urban Agriculture Program, residents have access to affordable, fresh food.

Fred Rose is the co-director of the nonprofit Wellspring Cooperative, which has created a network of cooperatives in areas with high unemployment. The organization also includes Wellspring Harvest in Springfield, a hydroponic greenhouse that grows lettuce varieties for commercial and institutional markets, and a mobile market to serve food-insecure communities.

“It’s bringing food production 
into the city, both in terms of employment and in terms of 
access,” Rose says.

See more: What’s Growing? Massachusetts Produce Calendar

Thanks to the grant, Wellspring was able to grow the greenhouse. This included purchasing LED lights so they could grow year-round and a controller to automate the greenhouse mechanics. Previously, workers manually adjusted the greenhouse humidity and temperature to create a steady environment, which you can’t do very well, Rose says. Wellspring also added an additional row with the grant.

“We would not be able to be profitable without the grants, which really have helped us overcome many of these hurdles,” he says. “They’ve really been essential.”

MEGA Support

There’s also help for newer farmers who have already put their shovels in the ground. In 2010, MDAR created the Matching Enterprise Grants for Agriculture program, or MEGA, which focuses on farmers who are between one and 10 years in business to help develop their farms into commercially viable operations. 

This includes help with business planning, financial projections and other technical assistance needed, including the option for a new 
six-month mentorship program. The program is one-to-one matching grants, where farmers are reimbursed at the close of their capital project.

Stephen Murray, owner of Heart Beets Farm in Berkley, received the MEGA grant in 2018. A first-generation farmer, he didn’t have immediate access to equipment or land, but thanks to the grant, he purchased a two-wheel tractor add-on and three-point equipment for his tractor.

“When I started the farm, it was me,” Murray says. “There were no tractors, no equipment – so you’ve got to build all of that up. So, the grant allowed us to speed that up, putting us at least a year ahead.”

Another benefit of receiving the grant was that it opened him up to more opportunities and information. In almost 10 years, Heart Beets Farm has grown to 
36 acres and 12 greenhouses.

The MEGA program recently bumped up the grant amounts to include $20,000 and $30,000 grants for later stage beginning farmers.

“We’re dedicated to helping farm businesses succeed,” Adams says.

See more: 8 Mouthwatering Massachusetts Food Festivals

Age Is Just a Number

Check out a few statistics about farmers throughout the state and nation.

• Since its inception in 2010, the MEGA program has provided $939,785 in grants to 110 diverse farms in Massachusetts.
• The average age of Massachusetts farm principal operators is 59, a number that is increasing over time.
• Young producers age 35 and younger make up 9% of all American farmers.
• 96% of American farms are family-owned.
• 25% of new and beginning farmers are classified as young producers.

Sources: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture