WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Fairfield Dairy Farm and Bonnie Lea Farm both received Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) grants

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1.75 million in CSAP grants to 56 Massachusetts agricultural operations to implement management practices that will help them adapt to changing climate conditions and enhance their contributions to meeting the state's carbon reduction and climate change mitigation goals. 

 

"Our farmers see the devastating impacts of climate change every day. They are seizing this opportunity to adopt cutting edge technology and the latest climate science to help lower emissions and promote sustainability," said Governor Maura Healey. "We're proud to support the efforts of our farmers. As extreme storms and severe weather become the new norm, these grants will help protect our farms from the unpredictable weather brought on by climate change."

 

The state awarded Fairfield's Dairy Farm a $50,000 grant to purchase and install high-efficiency fans. Bonnie Lea Farm was also awarded $50,000 to fund the installation of a 30.72kW Ground Mounted Photovoltaic System.

 

"This year we have seen firsthand in Western MA the impact of climate events on our local farms and their ability to survive," said Senator Paul W. Mark. "These grant awards will help our farmers adjust their practices to remain viable in the face of climate change while also helping to mitigate future damage and find a sustainable balance with the environment.  I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MDAR for their forward-thinking work to assist farmers."

 

CSAP is a competitive grant program that incentivizes voluntary adoption of conservation, soil health, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-smart agricultural practices, allowing agricultural operations to accomplish climate mitigation solutions and ensure economic resiliency.

 

By providing financial incentives to Massachusetts growers for practices that will improve soil health, ensure the efficient use of water, prevent impacts on water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sequester carbon, Massachusetts farms will be better able to move the state toward its ambitious climate change goals. The program will also provide financial incentives for agricultural operations to proactively address risks and strengthen their economic and environmental resiliency as they adapt to a changing climate. The program is broken into two categories: Environmental and Energy.

 

Since Fiscal Year 2021, CSAP merges MDAR's water, energy, and climate grants under one program to simplify the application process and provide one annual funding opportunity for all of the department's climate-related programs.  The three grant programs combined in this application are the Agricultural Climate Resiliency & Efficiencies ("ACRE") Grant, the Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program Grant ("AEEP") and the Ag-Energy Program Grant ("ENER").