Farmers across Massachusetts are facing unprecedented challenges — from volatile markets, federal uncertainty, and rising costs to the intensifying impacts of climate change — and they deserve the state’s unwavering support.
The Special Commission on Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century – that Rep. Hogan legislated for and co-chaired – has published its final report, which summarizes of the Commission’s findings & recommendations.
The report details the Commission’s focus on the topics of climate change and natural disasters, education and technical assistance, renewable energy, economic and community development, and food security. You can find the report online: malegislature.gov/Commissions/Detail/524/Bills.
The Commission hosted nine hearings across the span of fourteen months, taking testimony from farmers, educators, researchers, legislators, government administrators, and subject matter experts from Massachusetts, surrounding states, and other countries — about their work and their recommendations on how to better support and sustain agriculture in Massachusetts. The AG Commission’s 63 final recommendations address the most urgent issues facing agriculture in Massachusetts and present achievable solutions that the Legislature and Administration could undertake to best support our farms and farmers in the next 25 years.
This report builds on prior studies and the work that is already underway and offers a legislative and policy perspective to the challenges facing our farms and the future viability and sustainability of our local food system. Rep. Hogan has filed legislation to carry out many of the Commission’s recommendations and look forward to engaging with my colleagues on these ideas.
Rep. Hogan is grateful to House Speaker Mariano, HW&M Chair Michelwicz and her legislative colleagues, her dedicated staff, and fellow Commission members for their work and engagement on this extraordinary effort.