42. The region’s agricultural economy will grow through a focus on sustainable farming and by bringing more locally produced foods to the market.

Metro Boston’s food system will have a strong foundation in local food production and distribution. MetroFuture would help create a younger generation of farmers and would support a shift to higher value products and more efficient distribution systems, so that farm revenues would increase faster than the economy overall. Farms would be more sustainable and have fewer negative environmental impacts due to less reliance on oil-based fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. There would be no net loss of agricultural land, and an overall increase in productive acres.

The region currently has 117,000 acres of agricultural land uses; 59% percent of that land is actively harvested cropland. In 2002, farms in MetroFuture region counties sold $144 million worth of products, 38% of the state’s total market value of agricultural products sold. The industry has a large economic multiplier; each dollar generated by agriculture circulating three times through the economy. Agricultural land also provides numerous hard-to quantify benefits, including  wildlife habitat, carbon sinks, and open space.

Currently, 58,000 acres of agricultural land is not permanently protected and therefore at risk of development. If Current Trends continue the region will lose 11,000 acres of agricultural land. In 2002, the average age of farmers in Massachusetts was 55, and many will be looking to retire over the coming decades.

Objectives:

  • There will be at least 117,000 acres of agricultural land in the region, and at least 105,000 acres (90%) will be actively harvested cropland.
  • The total market value of agricultural products sold by the region’s farms will grow faster than the regional economy.
  • The dollar value of local foods purchased by schools, state institutions, restaurants and health care facilities will increase steadily.
  • An increasing number of farms, and an increasing share of the region’s agricultural sales, will be certified organic.
  • There will be no restrictions on the harvestable shellfish beds in the region due to human health concerns.