麻州府撥款1500萬元資助15社區學院培訓人力 邦克丘獲73萬餘元

 Baker-Polito Administration Awards $15 Million in Workforce Training Grants to the Commonwealth’s 15 Community Colleges

BOSTON  –– The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $15 million in workforce training grants to the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges in support of the creation and expansion of training programs in high-demand industries, such healthcare, education, manufacturing, information technology and cybersecurity.

Approximately 1,500 individuals will receive specialized training at no cost.  About one third of the grant funding will be allocated toward building capacity in training programs for the healthcare industry, which is in high demand across the Commonwealth. The funding was included in An Act Relative to Immediate COVID-19 Recovery Needs, which was signed by Governor Baker in December 2021.

“These grants complement our administration’s ongoing work to address the skills gap by building additional training capacity at all the Commonwealth’s community colleges so people have opportunities to gain hands-on skills and knowledge in growing industries,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “It is crucial that we provide more residents with quality training options and eliminate the gaps between what skills the Massachusetts workforce has, and what skills employers need.”

“We are so grateful to our community college partners who know that education is a lifelong journey and want to help provide individuals in our communities with the tools they need to achieve success in the Massachusetts’ workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants will enable more people to transition to new jobs in high-demand occupations where employers are hungry for talent.” 

Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC) will jointly administer the grant program with the Executive Office of Education and in consultation with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the regional Workforce Investment Boards.

The training programs will strive to help populations who have traditionally experienced higher rates of unemployment and barriers to employment identified by the Black Advisory Commission and the Latino Advisory Commission, with priority given to those who are unemployed and underemployed.

“One of the goals of these grants is to help address shifting economic conditions that occurred for many residents brought on by the COVID-19 crisis, and persistent racial inequities and workforce challenges that existed in the Commonwealth before the pandemic,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “We anticipate these new training opportunities will make it easier for more people to move into high-demand, higher paying careers.”

"Our partnerships with community colleges across the Commonwealth are so important to the work we are doing to train the unemployed and underemployed for meaningful, long-lasting careers," said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. "These regional training programs in high-need sectors are a win-win for employers and jobseekers."

 “As House Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I know well the outstanding work our community colleges do to educate and prepare our residents for well-paying, high-quality careers,” said Rep. David Rogers, (D-Cambridge) co-chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “These grants will enhance that work, giving our residents access to training programs in high-demand industries such as healthcare, education, and cybersecurity. These programs are simply essential to succeed in our dynamic knowledge-based workforce; it is great to see them get a boost.”

The Following Community Colleges received funding for Workforce Training:
Berkshire Community College - $735,000
Bristol Community College - $735,000
Bunker Hill Community College - $735,000
Cape Cod Community College - $735,000
Greenfield Community College - $735,000
Holyoke Community College - $735,000
MassBay Community College - $735,000
Massasoit Community College - $735,000
Middlesex Community College - $735,000
Mt. Wachusett Community College - $735,000
North Shore Community College - $735,000
Northern Essex Community College - $735,000
Quinsigamond Community College - $735,000
Roxbury Community College - $735,000
Springfield Technical Community College - $735,000

MACC will collaborate with the Executive Office of Education to allocate the remaining $3.45 million to community colleges based on local student enrollment demand for the training programs.

同性戀耆英住宅Pryde遭塗鴉破壞 波士頓市長吳弭發推文譴責

            波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)發推文，稱"無論是在Pryde大樓或是波士頓市的任何地方，仇恨或破壞行為都是不被容忍的行為"。

             吳弭市長稱，這一可負擔的同性戀耆英住宅大樓是在地方居民推動，鄰里發生支持中建造的。"我們會更快速地完成建造工程"。

國會議員 Pressley 支持 Maura Healey 競選麻州州長

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley Endorses Maura Healey for Massachusetts Governor

Boston, July 11 - Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley today endorsed Attorney General Maura Healey to be the next Governor of Massachusetts.

“Maura Healey is a passionate and determined advocate for families and communities across Massachusetts,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “In the time we’ve known one another, I’m proud to have worked together to protect students from predatory for-profit colleges, hold pharmaceutical companies accountable, strengthen support for victims of crime, and more. In a moment when so much is on the line - from abortion access and reproductive freedom to economic opportunity and the accelerating impacts of climate change - we need leadership in the corner office on Beacon Hill committed to making real, positive change for everyone in Massachusetts. I’m proud to endorse Maura for Governor, and I look forward to joining her in the work ahead.”   

“Congresswoman Pressley is a powerful and inspiring advocate and leader for justice and equity who centers her work on lifting the voices and experiences of the people she serves,” said Attorney General Healey. “We’ve stood by each other throughout our careers, and I’m deeply honored to receive her endorsement in our campaign for Governor today. I look forward to partnering together to advance policies that will make life better for all Massachusetts residents.”

Congresswoman Pressley made history in 2018 when she became the first woman of color elected to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Congress, representing constituents in Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Randolph, and Milton. During her time in office, Congresswoman Pressley has introduced landmark legislation to combat the crisis of childhood trauma, codify the right to abortion and comprehensive reproductive care, abolish the federal death penalty, fix our broken clemency system, cancel student debt, and more. She serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Government Oversight and Reform, and she has led on issues ranging from expanding transit justice and ensuring an equitable public health response to COVID-19 to ending discriminatory credit practices and keeping families safely housed. 

To learn more about Congresswoman Pressley’s leadership, please visit https://ayannapressley.com/. 

No Book, No Ball夏季聯盟聚會邀麻州州長同慶 (圖片)

麻州州長Charlie Baker和曾是美國籃球聯盟 (NBA)球手與教練的
 Michael Leon Carr 在球場上小比劃一下。 (周菊子攝)

麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)一投進籃，儼然當年在哈佛大學打籃球
的實力仍在。 (周菊子攝)

麻州公共衛生廳公布最新新冠病毒報告

 Department of Public Health Updates COVID-19 Data Reporting 

 

BOSTON (July 8, 2022) – Today, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced updates to its COVID-19 data reporting to take effect beginning the week of July 11, 2022. The changes include publishing the COVID-19 Interactive Data Dashboard on a weekly basis rather than five days per week, to reflect the evolving COVID-19 response in the Commonwealth.

 

“As the pandemic has continued to evolve, so too have our data needs,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “The changes taking effect next week are part of our ongoing efforts to adapt to the pandemic and focus on the metrics most useful at a given time. The updated reporting reflects the current status of COVID-19 and its impact.”

 

Changes to the Interactive Data Dashboard include:

 

• Data will be uploaded to the interactive dashboard once per week on Thursdays
• Updated population denominators to more recent Census numbers going forward
• The Contact Tracing and Clusters tabs under COVID-19 Cases will be removed going forward; due to changes in case investigation and contact tracing practices, these data are no longer representative of the current situation
• Higher Education data information will be removed going forward, due to the decrease in surveillance testing being conducted in those settings

 

Changes to the Thursday Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report include:

 

• This report will now be published each Wednesday rather than Thursday, and the Doses Administered table (currently posted Monday through Friday) will be consolidated into the weekly vaccine dashboard
• County reporting data will include those fully vaccinated and those with at least one booster dose (currently includes those with at least 1 dose and those with at least one booster dose)

All of the county data is available at the municipal level and can be aggregated. All of the raw data for contact tracing, clusters and higher education, including historic data, remains available. Chapter 93 data reports will continue to be uploaded Monday through Friday.

 

“While we all have become used to checking the numbers every day, monitoring trends over time is actually the most useful way to apply the COVID-19 data,” said Dr. Helen Boucher, Interim Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine, Chief Academic Officer at Tufts Medicine, and member of the Governor’s Medical Advisory Board. “Given that Massachusetts has one of the best vaccination and booster percentages in the nation, these changes make sense at this stage in our COVID-19 response.”

 

Last year, the interactive dashboard and vaccine report were updated from posting 7 days per week to 5 days per week. The latest reporting updates reflect the evolution of the pandemic given the wide availability of multiple mitigation tools, including vaccination, antivirals, and monoclonal antibody therapies, as well as a highly vaccinated population in Massachusetts.

 

DPH will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 in Massachusetts and maintains the ability to increase the type and frequency of data publication in the future if there is a need.

 

Massachusetts maintains one of the most robust and comprehensive public data reports on COVID-19 in the nation and has continued to regularly review and adjust its reporting of metrics as the impact of COVID-19 has evolved. See the latest COVID-19 data at www.mass.gov/coviddata.

MCCONNELL公園710萬元翻修 市長吳弭今剪綵

MAYOR WU CUTS RIBBON ON NEWLY RENOVATED MCCONNELL PARK Investments include $7.1 million towards park upgrades and features to further climate resilience

(From City of Boston)  BOSTON - Friday, July 8, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu joined members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, elected officials, local youth sports leagues, park neighbors, and families for the official unveiling of $7.1 million in improvements to McConnell Park in Dorchester’s Savin Hill neighborhood. Located at 30 Denny Street, McConnell Park is a popular 6.2 acre facility that dates back to 1899. The comprehensive park renovation includes the play lot, fields, passive spaces, parking, utility improvements, and improved access.  (From City of Boston) Funding was provided by the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Plan supplemented by a $1 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. In addition to full renovation of the athletic facilities, the park was also designed to implement climate resilient measures due to its proximity to the harbor. These include raised portions of the site, a granite block barrier wall which further extends the flood protection potential of the park, and parking lot islands designed to retain and infiltrate stormwater. “I'm thrilled to celebrate the opening of McConnell Park and unveiling our high water mark signs,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we continue to work to make Boston the greenest City in the country, we have to do so with a focus on inclusion, access, and communities who deserve and need space for fun, play, and for families to be together.”  “I am excited about the new and improved McConnell Park,” said City Councilor Frank Baker. “This significant investment is necessary for the future of our children. The renovation was intentional - keeping inclusion and climate resilience at the forefront of the design. As the District 3 City Councilor, I am looking forward to seeing this park utilized for many years to come.” “As a parent of an autistic child and the chair of the Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks committee, I am thrilled to commemorate the opening of McConnell Park,” said City Councilor Kendra Lara. “Considering accessibility, inclusion, and environmental justice in our park designs moves us one step closer to being a more resilient and inclusive city. Thanks to our City's leadership, children of all abilities can now enjoy a clean and safe park in their neighborhood, one that's environmentally responsible and can withstand the effects of climate change.” “I’m proud of the way this design balances climate resilience with high quality outdoor recreation and inclusive play," said Boston Parks and Recreation Department Commissioner Ryan Woods. "The park provides a buffer against infrequent but devastating high water events, and neighbors can enjoy the site's open skies, fresh air, and sea views every day of the year.” “McConnell Park was intentionally designed with climate preparedness at its core and includes resilient measures to sustain the community in the face of climate change,” said Dr. Alison Brizius, Environment Department Commissioner. “I’m grateful for all of our intergovernmental partners and the broader community who supported this park renovation and the creation of high water mark signs.”  Features include the new Little League field with a batting cage, drinking fountains, and irrigation; a multi-purpose softball field with ball netting; a small soccer field in the outfield; and a Challenger ball field for inclusion leagues with a closer outfield fence and an accessible short pile artificial turf field surface. All ballfields feature new LED lighting, bleachers, and shaded dugouts. “Growing up in Dorchester, the playground and these fields were such a fundamental part of everyday life,” said Mike Szkolka, a lifelong Savin Hill resident who was active in the project’s community design process during his presidency of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association. “Many of my and my friends' earliest memories were formed here, and it's endlessly exciting that so many people will get to enjoy this space for decades to come.” Other new amenities include an inclusive play area for children of all abilities, including a roller table, cozy cocoon spinner, slides and musical instruments; an accessible pathway throughout the park to all fields, play areas, and abutting streets; traffic calming strategies to slow cars on the access drive to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parking lot and Dorchester Yacht Club; a plaza containing a relocated memorial stone and a new bronze plaque to commemorate Capt. Joseph McConnell with an interpretive sign coming soon; and renovations on Springdale Street to clarify vehicular circulation and provide clear and safe pedestrian access.  McConnell Playground experienced significant flooding in the fields and parking lot from two Nor’easters in early 2018. Stormwater made its way across the park and into low lying areas in abutter’s backyards, flooding basements and properties. After these two coastal flood events, the US Geological Survey identified and surveyed several high water mark (HWMs) elevations in Boston. With support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City unveiled its first high water mark signs codifying these historic high water levels with informational and interactive signage, including a digital story map, that will improve flood risk awareness for a variety of users and audiences, and connect residents and visitors to actions the City is taking to address these vulnerabilities. “I would like to thank all our Massachusetts Silver Jackets team partners including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, and Office for Coastal Management, United States Geological Survey, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the City of Boston for their efforts to get us to where we are,” said Sheila Warren, Silver Jackets Coordinator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District. “We feel fortunate to have this great partnership to develop the High Water Marks Program to raise awareness of flooding along the coastline.” The ribbon cutting of the climate ready McConnell Park reinforces the Wu administration's commitment to protecting resilient open spaces in Boston. Recently, the City Council approved Mayor Wu's first budget proposal which includes groundbreaking investments in expanding Boston’s open spaces. This includes $137 million in capital funding and operating investments to create and protect parks, the tree canopy, and open spaces in the city and $2.5 million for a new Climate Ready Streets program within Climate Ready Boston.

City of Boston funding updates

The Funding Update Subscribe to The Funding Update FEDERAL GRANTS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 8/5/2022 Citizenship and Integration grants support organizations that provide 1) citizenship classes and naturalization services; 2) extended integration services; 3) citizenship preparation services; 4) regional or statewide citizenship networks. Max awards range from $300,000 to $1M. National Park Service, 8/10/2022 Underrepresented Community grants are intended to diversify the nominations submitted to the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible projects include surveys and nominations of historic sites. Awards range from $15,000 to $75,000. National Science Foundation, Open Smart & Connected Communities is a program supported across NSF’s Directorates for Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Education and Human Resources; Engineering; and Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences.  Integrative Research grants will address technological and social science dimensions of smart and connected communities. Track 1 awards could range between $1.5M and $2.5M for 4 years max. Track 2 max award is $1.5M for up to 3 years. Planning Grants are for capacity building to prepare project teams to develop future Integrative Research proposals. Awards: up to $150,000 for 1 year. Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated on grants.gov STATE GRANTS Massachusetts Housing Partnership + Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency The Massachusetts Homeowner Assistance Fund is available for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of HAF is to prevent foreclosures and displacements of eligible homeowners.  Department of Early Education & Care, 9/30/2022 Short-term financing is available to child care providers to help sustain program operations despite enrollment fluctuations and ensure the continued availability of care in under-resourced communities. New This Week Town of Brookline, 7/21/2022 The Brookline Department of Public Health is seeking proposals for professional services to conduct, assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting of the Community Health Assessment. Executive Office of the Trial Court, 7/25/2022 Request for Proposals: mental healthcare vendor to provide non-therapeutic, clinician-led support for Massachusetts trial jurors who need one-on-one consultation due to exposure to trauma, or symptoms of anxiety, and depression, or stress as a result of juror service.  Town of Concord, 8/1/2022 Request For Proposals: Regional Affordable Housing Consulting Services/RHSO Senior Housing Consultant. Department of Public Health, 8/2/2022 Request for Responses: Community Innovation in Responding to Adolescent & Young Adult Substance Use. A key component of project models should include the promotion of community partnerships that address youth substance use and encourage positive youth development. Operational Services Division, 8/4/2022 Request for Responses: Management Consultant, Program Coordinator and Planner Services. The resulting primary Statewide Contract will be used by Executive Agencies and other Eligible Entities. PRF76 seeks to establish a pre-qualified list of vendors that can provide an array of services. Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids. CITY GRANTS Environment Department, 7/18/2022 The Commissioner of Environment has issued a Request for Proposals from qualified consultants to provide energy procurement and supply bill reconciliation services to the City. Boston Public Health Commission, 7/18/2022 The Mayor's Office of Recovery Services is seeking organization(s) to fill a critical need in the daytime continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorder, specifically those individuals experiencing homelessness. Boston Public Health Commission, 7/22/2022 The Mayor's Office of Recovery Services is seeking organization(s) to support community engagement teams for up to three neighborhoods identified as high need. Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, 7/22/2022 Requests proposals for a design and installation of public art at the Copley Square Plaza. New This Week Boston Public Health Commission, 8/6/2022 Boston Youth Resiliency and Recovery Collaborative is seeking qualified youth-serving organizations to increase equitable access to high quality mentoring opportunities for BIPOC LGBTQ+ young people. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, 7/15/2022 & 1/31/2023 Focus areas: theological education, performing arts, charitable purposes, museum collection maintenance, projects/programs offering support to LGBTQ persons of faith, and community health. Each area of giving has a specific geographical area served. Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.     JA Community Foundation, 7/21/2022 Grants (up to $50,000) support new projects or improvements to existing programs with the potential to benefit the senior Japanese American community. Priorities: health, history, arts and culture, and youth. Eastman Foundation, 7/31/2022 Funding focus: sustainable community improvement. Priorities: education, environment, empowerment and economic development. Awards range from $1,000 to $20,000. CoreCivic Foundation, 7/31/2022 Grants support nonprofits that work with former offenders, victims of crime and abuse, and underserved youth. Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 7/31/2022 Funding focus: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. Priority is given to long-term service projects providing direct assistance to sick and injured veterans and their families. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Blue Sky, 8/1/2022 Grants support research focused on short-term risks for suicide that can be readily implemented in clinical settings. Max award: $500,000 per year for up to three years. Amelia Peabody  Charitable Fund, 8/1/2022 Focus areas: medicine (human and animal), social welfare, visual arts, land conservation, land conversation, and historic preservation. Awards range from $20,000 to $500,000.  New England Foundation for the Arts, 8/1/2022 & 3/1/2023 NEST grants support nonprofits and schools to provide presentations of New England-based performing artists from outside a presenter's state. Brady Education Foundation, 8/1/2022 Funding focus: helping to close opportunity and achievement gaps associated with race and family income. Previous grants have supported COVID-19 responses, PreK-12 education, data monitoring systems, partnership initiatives, early childhood education studies, program evaluations, Montessori research initiatives, and more. Emeril Lagasse Foundation, 8/1/2022 Seeking concept pacers that address appreciation of the source of food, development of life skills through food, nutrition and healthy eating and development of culinary skills. Max award: $10,000. Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, 8/2/2022 Focus areas: Environment and Health; Music; Education. Max award $75,000.00  TD Charitable Foundation, 8/26/2022 Funding priorities: Better Health, Financial Security, Connected Communities, and Vibrant Planet. Special consideration is given to programs that support low to moderate-income individuals. Average award $5,000.      Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. THE RESOURCE TABLE Apply Now for Immigrants Lead Boston Boston immigrants who want to become leaders in the community can now apply for this opportunity through the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. Through a 12-week course, 20 selected residents will meet key City of Boston officials and learn how to effectively navigate local government. Ideal candidates are emerging leaders committed to advocating for their immigrant community. Register for a virtual information session on July 14 from 6-7 pm, or July 30 from 10-11 am; and apply by August 7. Boston Residents: Do you need help getting online? Request FREE High Speed Internet & a Chromebook Laptop through the Boston Public Library's Long Term Lending Program! Click here to learn if you qualify. More BPL events and services are listed here.   Daily Updates from the City of Boston News, Resources, Applications, Permits, Events and more

麻州政府宣佈發出40萬元農場改善補助款

 Baker-Polito Administration Announces $400K in Farm Improvement Grants for APR Farms

 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced grants totaling $400,000 has been awarded to several Commonwealth farms through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (APR) to improve farm operations. MDAR provides farmers with business planning and technical assistance in addition to grants through its APR Improvement Program (AIP). This year’s grants have been awarded to farms in the following communities: the Cities of Amherst and Easthampton, and the Towns of Plainfield, Sunderland, Westport, and Whately, and will be used to construct hay and equipment storage buildings, produce washing and packing facilities, and a farmstand.

 

“The Baker-Polito Administration remains committed to the Massachusetts agricultural industry to ensure our local farmers continue to succeed and have the support they need to provide invaluable products for the public to enjoy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “These Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program Improvement grants will further strengthen the Commonwealth’s food supply system making it more resilient now and well into the future.”

 

“The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is steadfast with its commitment to our Commonwealth’s farming families,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “Through the APR Program we have been able to conserve critical farm land, preserve Massachusetts agricultural history, and provide support to help keep these farm businesses sustainable now and for future generations.”

 

Since it began in 2009, AIP has provided $6,425,000 in total grants, averaging approximately $70,250 per farm. Additionally, to date a total of $558,958 has been provided in technical assistance to 100 Massachusetts farms, averaging approximately $5,590 per farm. Farms receiving AIP funds this round includes:

 

Farm	Town	Project Description	Nomination
Foxcroft Farm	Amherst	Hay/equipment storage building	$40,000
Long Plain Farm	Whately	Produce storage/packing building	$40,000
Orr’s Farm	Westport	Storage building	$40,000
Mountain View Farms	Easthampton	Storage barn	$40,000
D.A. Smiarowski Farms	Sunderland	Produce washing/packing building	$120,000
Wolf Tree Farm	Plainfield	Produce washing/packing building & farmstand	$120,000

 

“I thank Governor Baker and the MA Department of Agricultural Resources for their continued support of the Massachusetts agricultural community,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

 

“The vital APR program has helped to preserve farmland throughout the Commonwealth, including at over 380 APR farms in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district,” stated State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health and Joint Committee on Covid-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management. “I am delighted that these farm improvement grants will fortify the Commonwealth's food system, increase the availability of fresh and healthy local produce, and help keep farmland as farmland. Congratulations to Foxcroft Farm in Amherst, Long Plain Farm in Whately, and D.A. Smiarowski Farms in Sunderland for these very-well deserved awards.”

 

“The APR Improvement Program is critical in helping our farmers remain competitive in a changing food production world,” stated State Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport). “We are deeply indebted to our Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their demonstrated commitment to farmers and food.”

 

“I am excited that the state is awarding these grants to local farms to support their financial viability. All of us need our farms and farmers to succeed. And we know our farms and farmers need greater attention and resources to survive. These grants look at supporting those farms with land that is already protected for agricultural use and maximizes their capacity for long-term success,” said State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), Acting Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I want to congratulate all of today’s recipients, the majority of whom are located in western Massachusetts, as these grants contribute to our region’s economy as well. And, a special shout-out to Foxcroft Farm, located in the 3^rd Hampshire District, with my appreciation for its efforts to secure these state resources for our community.”

 

“Support for our local farms is vital to the success of our food system,” said State Representative Natalie M. Blais (D-Sunderland). “These investments allow farmers to make improvements that will enhance operations and truly make a difference in their long-term viability.”

 

For more information about AIP, please visit MDAR’s program webpage. AIP is one of several programs within MDAR’s Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance (DACTA), whose mission is to advance the conservation and utilization of agricultural resources through preservation, environmental stewardship, technology, technical assistance and education in order to enhance the viability of agricultural enterprises and safeguard natural resources.