Berkshire Farms Benefit From New Farm Transfer Program
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced that its new Farm Transfer Planning Assistance program (Farm-Pass) helped address the loss of farm operations and farmland in the state.
Farm-Pass provides hands-on support to Massachusetts farmers and their successors, empowering families to develop practical, actionable plans that keep farmland productive and in family hands for the next generation.
Through the pilot round of Farm-Pass, the Leab Family of Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, Carrie Burnett and Megan Bantle of Burnett Farm and Full Well Farm in Adams, and Keith Bohne and Lorin Hill of Drew Farm in Westford, now have strategies in place to maintain their operations, safeguard their livelihoods, and ensure that 840 acres of farmland remain in active agriculture.
"As some farmers approach retirement, it's important we help them plan for the future of their farms," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "Farm-Pass takes the guesswork out of a complicated process, giving families support to secure the future of their land and farming business."
According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, more than 75 percent of Massachusetts farmers are age 65 or older, and the average age of a Massachusetts farmer is 58. While nearly 60 percent of all farms in the state are engaged in some level of estate or succession planning, the remaining valuable farmland is at risk of being lost or converted to other uses.
Launched in 2024, Farm-Pass responds to the growing demand for farm transfer planning services. Transferring a farm is often complex, involving financial, family, and business considerations. Farm-Pass offers free, personalized support from experienced planners, who work one-on-one with farm owners, families, and successors to create a custom transfer plan. Over the course of a year, participants set retirement goals, and map out tangible next steps to transfer assets and management. Once their plan is complete, they work with a professional, such as an attorney or tax advisor, to make the transfer happen.
"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," said Carrie Barnett. "Through a blend of professional recommendations and gathered information, past and present, about our generational farm, the guidance we received made the path forward feel manageable, instead of overwhelming."
The Farm-Pass program continues MDAR's commitment to preserving farms in Massachusetts through the goals of the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan, a long-range strategic initiative launched in December 2023. One of the Plan's core goals is to increase access to farmland, including support for farm transfer and succession education and one-on-one technical assistance opportunities, as well as establishing a program to support farmers in developing transfer plans with follow-up support. It follows other Agricultural Business Assistance programs that are offered by MDAR to help ensure the long-term viability of farming and prevent more losses to farmland in Massachusetts.
"Farm transfer is not a one-time decision, especially in Massachusetts where the high cost of agricultural land and continued loss of farmland put added pressure on farm families," said Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Executive Director Karen Schwalbe. "Farm Pass recognizes this reality by investing in education, technical assistance, and planning support through a collaborative, statewide approach."
While Farm-Pass is the first MDAR program dedicated to supporting written farm transfer plans, it complements and builds upon decades of work done by service providers to promote awareness and early adoption of succession planning. Combined with assistance from organizations and initiatives like Land For Good's Farm Succession School, UMass Boston's Agricultural Mediation Program, and MDAR's Farmland Partnership Program, Massachusetts stakeholders continue to work collaboratively to expand resources to farmers and meet the Farmland Action Plan's recommendations for increased availability of succession planning assistance.
With the completion of the Farm-Pass program pilot round, additional transfer plans are already underway for the next two rounds of the program. Applications received by April 1, 2026 will be considered for the next round of the program. For more information about Farm-Pass and to apply, visit the program's webpage.
