(BOSTON 4/2/2026) — Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate passed the FARM Bill, agricultural legislation aimed at supporting Massachusetts’ 7,000 farms, making it easier for families to buy fresh and healthy food, and protecting the state’s food supply for the future.
The legislation – formally known as S.3029, An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts – is a major step forward in supporting Massachusetts farmers and growing the state’s agricultural economy. It builds on a recent special commission report focused on making Massachusetts agricultural operations sustainable for the 21st century.
The FARM Bill helps owners of small farms to grow their businesses by removing hurdles and making agritourism ventures possible, such as corn mazes and ‘pick your own’ berry and fruit operations. The legislation also supports expanding farm operations with a local option property tax exemption for new agricultural buildings.
“Farms in Central Massachusetts provide fresh, nutritious, and sustainable food both to the communities they reside in as well as to cities and town across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “This bill furthers the Legislature’s commitment to supporting these small businesses while expanding the economic opportunities that allow them to hire more workers and support the economy. It also helps get the fresh produce grown on these farms onto school lunch tables and into low-income families’ grocery carts. I’m thrilled to stand with the hardworking men and women who do this honest work, and I look forward to finding more ways to support farms in the Second Worcester District and beyond.”
The bill makes it easier for residents to access healthy food, making permanent the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to help families afford fresh produce and the Farm to School program to bring local ingredients into schools. By codifying these programs, the Senate is continuing its response to federal actions that threaten food access as a part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative. A further Response 2025 priority requires that state emergency planning efforts prioritize the security of the local food supply chain given federal cuts to emergency planning.
The FARM Bill additionally requires regular reporting on the distribution of local produce through food banks, universal school meals, Meals on Wheels, the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), and other food assistance programs. This data will help assesses the damage from detrimental federal actions such as the elimination of the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, which purchased food from historically underserved Massachusetts farmers and provided it to underserved communities.
Supporting Farmers and Growing the Agricultural Economy
The legislation includes key provisions to help farmers remain viable and expand their operations. New farm buildings and structures would receive a five-year property tax exemption under a local option program added to the bill during debate. Senators voted 38-0 to adopt the property tax exemption (Amendment 5).
The bill also expands opportunities for farmers to participate in agritourism, makes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) Program permanent, and eases the water permitting process for cranberry growers.
Planning for the Future of Agriculture and Climate Change
The FARM Bill includes forward-looking initiatives to protect farmland and improve long-term planning by creating a statewide agricultural land database and improving the evaluation of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program to ensure long-term sustainability.
It directs emergency planning efforts to prioritize local food production and avoid supply chain disruptions, and explores renewable energy opportunities on farmland, balancing clean energy goals with agricultural land preservation.
The Senate passed the bill on a 39-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.
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