Massachusetts family farms are looking at more secure futures thanks to the Farm Transfer Planning Assistance program (Farm-Pass) initiated by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The program, highlighted by a recent announcement from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), offers direct assistance to families for developing transfer plans, ensuring their agricultural legacy remains productive and embedded within familial hands for generations to come.
Through its pilot round, Farm-Pass has enabled families like the Leab Family of Ioka Valley Farm, Carrie Burnett and Megan Bantle of Burnett Farm and Full Well Farm, and Keith Bohne and Lorin Hill of Drew Farm to forge clear strategies in managing their operations. MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle spoke to the urgency of such plans, stating, "As some farmers approach retirement, it’s important we help them plan for the future of their farms." These statements were collected by a press release highlighting the issue's relevance in Massachusetts, where over 75 percent of farmers are aged 65 or older, as per mass.gov.
The Farm-Pass program doesn't simply offer advice, but it provides free, personalized support from experienced planners to craft a custom transfer plan over the course of a year. This level of attention seeks to address the often complex nature involving financial, business, and family considerations. Carrie Burnett shared with MDAR the impact this has had on her family, saying, "Farm Pass helped our family think intentionally about succession and stewardship, ensuring Burnett Farm would remain a working farm for the generations of farmers to come,” according to the press release.
These efforts are part of a bigger picture, too—the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, which was put into motion in December 2023. This long-range initiative aims to increase access to farmland and includes elements like one-on-one technical assistance and educational support for farm transfer and succession. Karen Schwalbe, Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director, acknowledged the practical value of these actions, saying, “Farm Pass recognizes this reality by investing in education, technical assistance, and planning support through a collaborative, statewide approach,” as noted on the same press release.
Looking forward, additional transfer plans are already in the pipeline for the next two installments of the program, with applications due by April 1, 2026. Farmers interested in finding out more about Farm-Pass or wishing to apply can visit the program’s webpage for detailed information.
