Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $3.6 Million in Grants to Support Farmers

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $3.6 Million in Grants to Support Farmers

Programs include initiatives to improve food safety, composting, cranberry bog renovation, and climate resiliency on farms

 

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $3.6 million in more than 100 grant awards through several programs, including the Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP), the Agricultural Composting Improvement Program (ACIP), the Cranberry Bog Renovation (CBRG) Program, and the Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP). These grants, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), provide funding to local farmers. The funding supports farmers in meeting strict food safety standards, improving soil health and management through composting, sustaining cranberry growing operations, and adapting to changing climate conditions. It also enhances their contributions to the state’s carbon reduction and climate change mitigation goals.

 

“Our farmers face countless challenges, so it’s critical that we support them with the resources they need to succeed,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These four programs help ensure a safe, local food supply, grown by dedicated farmers who prioritize sustainability, providing us all with healthy, responsibly-produced food.”

 

“From the Berkshires to Barnstable County, our farms are significant economic drivers and the backbone of our local food system. Their success benefits us all,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Programs like these help improve and strengthen Massachusetts farms in the short and long term.”

 

The Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP) allows produce and aquaculture operations to purchase modern storage, refrigeration, and washing equipment to meet stringent food safety standards on their farms. It enables growing operations to access wider markets, meet buyer demands, increase local food consumption, and protect public health by reducing food safety risks.

 

The Agricultural Composting Improvement Program (ACIP) funds equipment and projects to improve agricultural composting practices and facilitate the use of compost as a valuable soil amendment on farms. MDAR also provides technical assistance to farms conducting agricultural composting and encourages farms to utilize compost as a soil amendment or manure management tool.

 

The Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program (CBRG) provides reimbursement to cranberry operations that implement projects that improve both bog design and production while preventing, reducing, or eliminating negative environmental impacts that may occur from cranberry production. By funding these projects, the program enhances the cranberry industry's overall financial and environmental sustainability.

 

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) incentivizes voluntary adoption of conservation, soil health, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-smart agricultural practices. The funding allows agricultural operations to accomplish climate mitigation solutions and ensure economic resiliency as they adapt to a changing climate. The program is broken into two categories: Environmental and Energy. Projects include high tunnels to allow farmers to extend the growing season for their crops, equipment to facilitate no-till planting that helps preserve soil carbon, photovoltaic arrays to allow for on-farm renewable energy generation, and reverse osmosis machines to help maple syrup producers significantly reduce energy consumption.

 

"Climate change is making farming more difficult, and it's crucial that we stand by farmers as they adapt to secure a stable food supply,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Tepper. “These programs offer the support and resources farmers need to improve their practices, protect the environment, and build stronger, more resilient communities."

 

“At every stage, farms face many unpredictable factors that can lead to consequential and devastating results which is why these programs have proven to be transformative in allowing them to adapt and thrive in the face of this uncertainty,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “We know that farmers are some of the most resourceful and resilient people in any industry. It’s in their nature to endure and we are pleased to be able to offer these grant opportunities to support their resilience.”

 

"Once again the Healey-Driscoll Administration, in partnership with the Legislature and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is delivering timely and meaningful grants to farms and farmers in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district," said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). "Our farmers work tirelessly to provide healthy, local products to residents across Massachusetts, and need strategic state investments like these grants to support their work to rise to the challenges of climate change and economic volatility."

 

 

The following are the Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program grant recipients for 2025: 

 

Farm Name	Project Details	City/Town	Award
Winter Moon Roots	New plastic bins to replace wooden bins. Plastic bins can be properly washed and sanitized, do not pose a threat of adding foreign material to the crop, and do not pose a threat to worker safety	Hadley	$37,256
Bardwell Farm	New plastic storage bins and harvest crates	Hatfield	$20,633
Fat Moon Farm, LLC	New anti-microbial grow racks that will provide a smooth, non-porous surface that is resistant to rust and corrosion	Chelmsford	$25,050
Atlas Farm, LLC	New plastic bins to replace wooden bins	Deerfield	$48,134
Bay-Breeze, Inc.	New insulated truck with electric standby ensuring temperature-controlled oysters in transit and an emission free option while not in transport	Westport	$50,000
Boston Area Gleaners	Washing and packing infrastructure to ensure the safe handling of post-harvest produce	Acton	$42,569
Cape Abilities, Inc.	New walk-in refrigeration, storage sheds, hand washing stations, harvest bins, and carts	Dennis	$38,441
Quonquont Farm, LLC	New plastic macro-bins to replace wooden bins	Whatley	$2,781
Spindrift Oysters, LLC	New equipment including an oyster counter, washer, bagger, hopper, and conveyor and two insulated vats	Westport	$36,758
Johnny Putt Farm	New plastic containers for harvesting, packing, holding, and processing of produce	Littleton	$1,264
Fairview Orchards, Inc.	New plastic harvest bins	Groton	$11,600
Iron Ox Farm	New post-harvest, washing and packing station by excavating a site and pouring a new concrete pad to accommodate two existing shipping walk-in coolers, and adding a roof over the coolers to create an interior space for the washing and packing of produce	Hamilton	$17,872
Beer Money Oyster Company, LLC	New ice machine with water pump and two insulated vats	Plymouth	$11,184
Whittier Farms, Inc.	New equipment for improved food safety, including pesticide storage and harvest container storage	Sutton	$28,739
Tony Andrews Farm	New cold storage to replace existing inefficient cold storage on property	Falmouth	$16,335
Lanni Orchards, Inc.	New harvest containers, plastic bins, and crates, as well as utility carts, benches, and two portable restrooms w/handwashing	Lunenburg	$8,528
Simon Edwards	Two insulated vats for the safe storage and transportation of oysters	Nantucket	$2,856

 

 

The following are the Agricultural Composting Improvement Program grant recipients for 2025: 

 

Farm Name	Project Details	City/Town	Award
Baldwin Farm	Compost Screener	W. Stockbridge	$21,874.50
Diemand Egg Farm	Compost Screener	Wendell	$32,053
East Meadow Farm	Compost Screener	E. Longmeadow	$59,153.56
High Lawn Farm	Compost Spreader	Lee	$28,200
Kinne Brook Farm	Compost Turner, Grapple Attachment	Worthington	$29,226
Paradox Acres	Compost Spreader	Dartmouth	$17,812.50
Reed Farm	Compost Bagger	Sunderland	$56,208.75
Royal Crest Farm	Compost Pad	Sterling	$75,000
Stonefield Farm	Compost Materials Mixer	Acton	$44,500
Sunny Brook Farm	Compost Pad, Hoop Enclosure	Hadley	$39,525
Teedlebug Farm	Compost Spreader	Middleboro	$5,625
Upingil Farm, Gill	Compost Pad, Chipper	Gill	$11,044

 

 

The following are the Cranberry Bog Renovation Grant Program recipients for 2025:

 

Farm Name	Project Details	City/Town	Award
Back River Bog Company, LLC	Cranberry bog renovation on 3.8 acres.	Bourne	$95,000
Beaton's, Inc.	Cranberry bog renovation on 8 acres.	Rochester	$125,000
E.J. Pontiff Cranberries, Inc.	Cranberry bog renovation on 6.5 acres.	Carver	$125,000
Eagle Holt Cranberry Co., Inc.	Cranberry bog renovation on 9 acres.	Wareham	$125,000
Georgetown Cranberry	Cranberry bog renovation on 3 acres.	South Yarmouth	$75,000
Piney Wood Cranberry Company, Inc.	Cranberry bog renovation on 8 acres.	Plymouth	$125,000
Quaker Run Cranberries, LLC	Cranberry bog renovation on 4 acres.	Marston’s Mills	$100,000
Rocky Maple Bogs	Cranberry bog renovation on 4 acres.	Wareham	$100,000
Webster Cranberry, LLC	Cranberry bog renovation on 4 acres.	Norwell	$100,000

 

 

The following are the Climate Smart Agriculture Program recipients for 2025:

 

Section I: Environmental

 

Farm Name	Project Details	City/Town	Award
Barrett's Mill Farm Partnership	Flail mower allowing for improved management of cover crops	Concord	$8,000
Bay-Breeze, Inc.	Tier-three diesel marine engine to replace current engine which has no emission controls, reducing both air pollution and water pollution	Westport	$50,000
Boston Area Gleaners	No-till drill, flail mower, 3-point hitch and PTO, with the intended benefits of reduced erosion, increased soil organic matter, improved water filtration and retention, reductions of CO2	Acton	$50,000
Chase Hill Farm	Ripsower, penetrometer, and laser level that will reduce compaction allowing for increased availability of nutrients and maximizing infiltration of water	Warwick	$23,300
Earle M Parsons & Sons, Inc.	Manure injector for improved soil health and the protection of water quality	Hadley	$50,000
Fletcher Farm	Improved ventilation in dairy facility by installing eight energy efficient fans that will improve cow comfort, resulting in better milk production, while providing environmental controls due do temperature fluctuations	Southampton	$19,100
Holiday Brook Farm, LLC	Maple vacuum monitoring system that will improve sap collection as variability in temperatures from climate change are producing lower yields	Dalton	$9,800
Hopestill Farm	Hoop-house for seedling production and irrometers for measuring soil moisture, allowing them to reduce water use by irrigating only when needed	Sherborn	$11,900
Idyllvale Farm, LLC	Manure spreader to improve soil health and reduce manure run-off by more precise application	Littleton	$42,800
Kosinski Farm	Drip irrigation for blueberry crop, allowing for water saving benefits compared to overhead irrigation, while also reducing water runoff and soil erosion	Westfield

麻州政府宣佈斥資2700萬元支持建造1256戶住宅

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Housing Development Incentive Awards to Create 1,256 Units, Lower Costs 

Largest Funding Year in Program History is a Result of Governor Healey’s Tax Cuts Package 

LAWRENCE — Today, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus announced $27 million in Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) awards to create 709 total new units in 9 Gateway Cities across the state. This funding is in addition to the $27 million in HDIP funding awarded earlier this year. Together, HDIP awards made by the Healey-Driscoll Administration in 2024 will support the creation of 1,256 new housing units.  

As part of a $1 billion tax package signed by the Governor in October 2023, the annual HDIP program cap was raised to $30 million annually with a one-time increase of $57 million. That increase allowed the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to fund 25 projects in 15 Gateway Cities this year. 

The announcement was made at theJAV in Lawrence, a 24-unit development by Jowamar Companies LLC now under construction after receiving an HDIP award from the Healey-Driscoll Administration earlier this year. The award helped enable the transformation of the formerly blighted property into housing, commercial spaces and a food hall. 

“We want people to be able to afford to live and work in our Gateway Cities, which have so much to offer in business, industry, arts and culture,” said Governor Healey. “The HDIP program has a proven record of supporting the creation of new housing, like theJav development, which can lower the cost of housing in these communities. We were proud to expand this program in our tax cuts package, which has enabled us to award the largest amount of funding to date.” 

“These funds make a sizable impact to cities across the state as we work to increase housing of all kinds across Massachusetts to make rent and home prices more affordable,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This is the largest funding year in program history and really underscores our administration’s commitment to building more housing and building it faster to meet the demand.”   

HDIP is a tool for the state’s Gateway Cities to create more market rate housing to support economic development, expand the diversity of the housing stock and create more vibrant neighborhoods. Half of the 12 projects awarded today will support the revitalization of old mills or commercial properties into housing. 

“Our Gateway Cities are resilient communities that continue to adapt and evolve with every generation,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus. “These developments awarded today not only create much needed housing, they revitalize neighborhoods, revive long-vacant buildings and strengthen our communities.”   

The HDIP awards are one part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s comprehensive approach to housing, which includes the $5.12 billion Affordable Homes Act, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law, increases to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the work of both the Housing Advisory Council and the Unlocking Housing Production Commission. 

“Housing is not just about building structures; it’s about creating stability, opportunity, and a sense of community for families here in Lawrence and across the Commonwealth,” said Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña. “With Governor Healey’s leadership and initiatives to increase housing affordability and accessibility, we can work together to deliver real solutions that make a lasting difference.” 

Below are the 12 awardees:   

Iver Mills - Fitchburg 

• Sponsor: Rich Darche and Aldo Mazzaferro 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000  

• Total units:  96 

347-355 Main Street - Fitchburg 

• Sponsor: Paul Tocci 

• HDIP award:  $479,081 

• Total units:  8 

Essex Street Lofts - Haverhill 

• Sponsor: RISE 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  42 

Open Square - Holyoke 

• Sponsor: Open Square Realty 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  84 

Flats on Barnstable Road - Hyannis 

• Sponsor: Tim Telman/Brad Sprinkle 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  45 

ICONO - Lawrence 

• Sponsor: Johan Lopez 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  60 

193-197 Union - New Bedford 

• Sponsor: OneCircle 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  45 

ElmWater Landing - New Bedford 

• Sponsor: LaFrance Hospitality 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  18 

266 Canal Street - Salem 

• Sponsor: Criterion Development Partners 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  250 

Bay View - Salem 

• Sponsor: Juniper Point 

• HDIP award:  $2,000,000 

• Total units:  13 

12 Porter Street - Taunton 

• Sponsor: 12 Porter Street Development 

• HDIP award:  $2,000,000 

• Total units:  28 

204 Main - Worcester 

• Sponsor: Menkiti Group 

• HDIP award:  $2,500,000 

• Total units:  20 

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新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長王志維(右)、秘書長高名震(左)
主持尾牙活動。

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會會長王志維(右)、副會長蔡高進(中)、秘書長高名震(左)
主持尾牙活動。

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會在摩頓市五味樓舉辦尾牙聚餐。

TCCNE前會長歐陽露 (右起)、林才民，前任副會長林思妤、現任副會長蔡高進。

TCCNE資深理事蔡明機(右)、林鳳池(左)。

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富應邀致詞。

TCCNE資深理事李台、蔡高進、蔡明機等人。

TCCNE前會長歐陽露(左)、秘書長高名震(中)、理事Jean Lai。

左起，王志維、柯乃南、高家富、李台。

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TCCNE副會長彭聲翔(右立者)和朋友。

世衛協進會共會長Riva Chan致詞。

衛斯理豐田汽車代理創辦人柯乃南致詞。

TCCNE副會長蔡高進(左一)等人同桌吃火鍋。

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沈立威(後左)、Riva Chan(後右)、陳玫菁(中)都是多年舊識。

蕭惠菁(右)、River Yang都是素食達人。

蔡高進和牙醫師們。

紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君夫婦。

TCCNE副會長蔡高進每年都協助抽獎環節。

摩遁市五味樓的火鍋菜餚。

TCCNE會長王志維(左二)送出抽獎禮品。

李台醫師也抽到一份禮品。

柯乃南(中)送出龍瓶酒。

麻州長Healey任命Bonnie Borch-Rote出任供應商多元化辦公室主任

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Bonnie Borch-Rote as Next Executive Director of SDO

 

Borch-Rote Takes Over for Retiring Director Bill McAvoy

 

BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that Bonnie Borch-Rote has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). The SDO, regarded as the most inclusive state supplier diversity office in the nation, is dedicated to increasing opportunities for small and diverse Massachusetts businesses through robust outreach, certification, and education.

 

Borch-Rote has 14 years of public service experience, almost 13 of them with the SDO. Before her appointment to the Executive Director role, she was the SDO’s Director for Performance and Project Management and served as the agency’s General Counsel. She also worked in the SDO’s Certification and Outreach units, when the SDO was part of the Operational Services Division (OSD). 

 

“Our administration is proud to announce Bonnie’s appointment,” said Governor Maura Healey. “She has demonstrated her commitment to small and diverse businesses, and she knows that our economy is stronger when we lower barriers to participation. She is exactly who we want leading this important agency.”  

 

“The Supplier Diversity Office will be in excellent hands with Bonnie at the helm,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “I look forward to working with her as SDO continues advancing equity in Massachusetts and elevating our small and diverse businesses.” 

 

Borch-Rote replaces Bill McAvoy, who is retiring after 36 years in public service. McAvoy helped lead the SDO to become an independent agency and served as its Executive Director since 2015. 

 

“We are excited for Bonnie to assume leadership of the Supplier Diversity Office, and grateful to Bill for ensuring that the agency is well-positioned for success following his retirement,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I look forward to seeing Bonnie take the SDO to the next level by continuing to expand what the state can do for diverse and small businesses.”

 

“I’ve worked with Bonnie for all of her career with the state, and I can’t think of anyone better to lead the SDO,” said former Executive Director Bill McAvoy. “With her knowledge, commitment, and expertise, I am confident that she will bring even greater success to the SDO in the coming years.” 

 

The SDO certifies diverse (minority, women, veteran, service-disabled veteran, disability, and LGBT-owned) and small businesses, which helps increase their marketability in the state’s bidding process. The SDO also connects these companies with business opportunities and resources, and collaborates with Executive Agencies and public organizations to identify and remove barriers for diverse and small businesses.

 

“I’m honored and humbled at this opportunity,” said incoming Executive Director Bonnie Borch-Rote. “Massachusetts has one of the most innovative supplier diversity programs in the country, and I’m excited to continue what Bill McAvoy and the Healey-Driscoll Administration have done to connect marginalized businesses with state contracting.”

 

Borch-Rote will look to continue the SDO’s success in increasing the number of diverse and small businesses that do business with the Commonwealth. Since 2015, the number of SDO-certified businesses more than doubled from 2,794 in FY2015 to 5,669 in FY2023, an increase of 103%. Spending from SDO programs rose from $959 million in FY2015 to $2.147 billion in FY2023, an increase of 124%.