Massachusetts State Agencies
Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance
Division of Agricultural Markets
Division of Crop and Pest Services
Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables Program
Pesticide Exam and License Information Packet
Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Northeast Regional Office, Wilmington
Southeast Regional Office, Lakeville
Central Regional Office, Worcester
Western Regional Office, Springfield
Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEA)
Federal Agencies
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Service Centers are single locations where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development Agency. Service Center Locator for Massachusetts.
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Farm Service Agency Massachusetts is the bank of last resort for farmers. The local offices administer farm commodity, conservation, disaster and loan programs. FSA makes direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans to family-size farmers who cannot obtain commercial credit from a bank, Farm Credit System institution or other lender. Borrowers must have a business plan and reasonable plan to repay the loan. Local FSA offices are in Pittsfield, Dighton, Greenfield, Hadley, Westford, West Wareham and Holden, Mass.
Loans for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
Rural Development offers an array of programs for rural communities and agriculture. The regional office for Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut is located at 451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 253-4300.
Programs
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
This agency provides technical assistance to farmers on best management practices to protect environmental resources, like water and soil. The EQIP program provides financial incentives to adopt practices in exchange for a Farm Conservation Plan.
Employees’ Directory by program.
USDA’s Small Farm Funding Resources will lead you to many different sites, some from states other than Massachusetts. Remember that each state offers its own programs and one that appears in Pennsylvania may not be in this state. The federal programs would apply to all states.
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)