Press Release: 5/2/2025
Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $2 Million to Support Agricultural Events and Buy Local Initiatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/01/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Phu Mai, Director of Communications
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Email Phu Mai, Director of Communications at phu.mai@mass.gov
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $2 million in grants to support agricultural fairs, farmers markets, and programming to strengthen Buy Local groups in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will manage these grants through three programs: the Agricultural Fairs Infrastructure Grant Program, Farmers Market Sustainability Grant Program, and Buy Local Grant Program. The funds will help improve existing buildings and build new ones at agricultural fairs. The grants will also support strategic planning and consumer marketing efforts at farmers markets, and outreach programs to get more people involved in the local food system from the ten regional Buy Local groups in the state.
“Agricultural fairs are an important part of Massachusetts’ farming history and traditions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These fairs, along with farmers markets, highlight the strength of our agricultural industry. The grants will help them stay active and provide valuable cultural, educational, and economic opportunities to our communities.”
“For hundreds of years, agricultural fairs have been a way for the public to understand the importance of farming and how a thriving agricultural sector benefits everyone,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Long before grocery stores and supermarkets, farmers sold their products directly to consumers. Today, Massachusetts is a national leader in doing so, helping farmers remain sustainable by allowing them to set fair prices and capture more of the retail dollar. More than 13% of farm products sold by Massachusetts farmers are sold directly to consumers, which is the highest proportion in the country. Our Buy Local partners also realize the significance that fairs and farmers markets have on the communities they serve so we’re thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with them so that they can continue promoting these events along with other Buy Local campaigns in their regions.”
Since the first recorded agricultural fair in the nation was held in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1811, these events have provided generations of attendees with the opportunity to experience the world of farming. Agricultural fairs offer numerous educational and entertaining offerings such as livestock demonstrations and skills competitions, which foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for our agricultural community. The Agricultural Fairs Infrastructure grants will support building upgrades to ensure they are safe and accessible to fairgoers.
Farmers markets provide consumers with direct access to farm fresh, healthy, and delicious food across the state. Like fairs, they are festive gathering spaces where people can learn more about where their food is grown, cultivate relationships with their local farmers and neighbors, and support the local economy. The Farmers Market Sustainability grants will help to bring more customers to these markets and improve sales for farmers.
In partnership with MDAR, the regional Buy Local organizations in Massachusetts are nonprofits that connect farmers to their surrounding communities. Over the years, their outreach campaigns have helped generate consumer awareness and increase demand for locally grown food products. The Buy Local grants will help continue their educational outreach to consumers about the importance and value of purchasing farm fresh products directly from producers.
“I’m thrilled the Healey-Driscoll Administration is continuing the priority focus on farm sustainability and supporting agricultural fairs in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These grant programs are representative of the strong collaborative partnership between the Legislature and multiple state agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the funds will help to bolster farmers and farmer markets in my district and all across the state. Local farms are the lifeblood of the community, and with climate change an ongoing concern, we need to do all we can to support this vital industry.”
“Steeped in history, our agricultural fairs are a tremendous asset to the Commonwealth, not only acting as an economic engine but also as a unique place for visitors to learn about the importance of our local food systems,” said State Representative Natalie M. Blais (D – Sunderland). “I am proud to have worked alongside the agricultural fairs in the 1st Franklin District and across the state to lay the groundwork for this monumental investment. This would not have been possible without their involvement and the broad support of legislators and stakeholders statewide.”
“Pittsfield’s farmers market is an important part of our community, and it is vital that we invest in the farmers to ensure there is healthy food available for all here in Pittsfield and the Berkshires,” said State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D – Pittsfield). “I am proud that we are investing in farmers markets that bring our communities together and, in turn, the farmers that feed us.”
The following are the Agricultural Fairs Infrastructure grant recipients for 2025:
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|---|
| Bolton Fair | $100,000 |
| Association of North Chester, Chester Hill, and Littleville, Inc- Littleville Fair | $100,000 |
| Essex Agricultural Society dba Topsfield Fair | $85,595.68 |
| Franklin County Fair | $100,000 |
| Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society- Three County Fair | $73,715 |
| Heath Fair | $99,991.95 |
| Highland Agricultural Society- Middlefield Fair | $23,995.01 |
| Hillside Agricultural Society- Cummington Fair | $85,595.68 |
| Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society- Marshfield Fair | $100,000 |
| Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society- Martha’s Vineyard Fair | $84,218 |
| Middlesex County 4-H Fair | $50,000 |
| The Westfield Fair Organization, Inc.- Westfield Fair | $100,000 |
| Union Agricultural & Horticultural Society- Blandford Fair | $100,000 |
| Williamsburg Grange Fair | $64,160.68 |
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|
The following are the Farmers Market Sustainability grant recipients for 2025:
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|---|
| Andover Farmers Market/South Church in Andover | $10,000 |
| Ashland Healthy Harvest, Inc. (Ashland Farmers Market) | $2,914.22 |
| Belmont Food Collaborative (Belmont Farmers Market) | $7,165.00 |
| Brockton Farmers Market | $10,000 |
| Canton Farmers Market | $9,989 |
| Gardner Farmers Market | $9,190 |
| Greenfield Farmers Market | $5,800 |
| Lee Farmers Market | $4,000 |
| Lemon Aide Corp. (Mashpee Farmers Market) | $10,000 |
| Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (Mattapan Farmers Market) | $9,771.11 |
| NeighborHealth (East Boston Farmers Market) | $7,708.21 |
| Revere Farmers Market | $10,000 |
| Rotary Club of Westborough (Westborough Farmers Market) | $10,000 |
| Roots Rising (Pittsfield Indoor and Outdoor Farmers Markets) | $10,000 |
| Sheffield Association (Sheffield Summer and Winter Farmers Markets) | $10,000 |
| Waltham Farmers Market | $2,058.79 |
| Williamstown Farmers Market | $8,574.50 |
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|
The following are the Buy Local grant recipients for 2025:
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|---|
| Berkshire Grown | $91,788.96 |
| Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod | $86,497.41 |
| Central Mass Grown | $69,236.25 |
| Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) | $83,000 |
| Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society | $53,986.57 |
| Northeast Harvest | $78,338.38 |
| Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) | $89,290.53 |
| Sustainable Business Network | $70,985.80 |
| Sustainable Cape | $45,389.46 |
| Sustainable Nantucket | $31,486,65 |
| Grantee | Dollar amount of award |
|---|