Regional

Southeastern Massachusetts Farmland Protection Initiative

A strategic partnership between SRPEDD, Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC), and Wildlands Trust designed to support southeastern Massachusetts municipalities in the preservation of Chapter 61A farmlands, ensuring local agricultural resources are protected for current and future generations.

Project efforts are lead by SRPEDD in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan (MFAP), and supported by MDAR's Farmland Partnership Program (FPP).

Project Purpose

SRPEDD, Wildlands Trust, and OCPC have launched a regional initiative to permanently protect vulnerable Chapter 61A farmlands in Southeastern Massachusetts. Spanning 44 municipalities across Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties, the project aims to equip local leaders with the training, planning, and resources needed to safeguard agricultural land in the region.

This is an image of a flyer promoting municipal representatives and community members to sign up for the Southeastern MA Farmland Protection Initiative. There is an image of a farm, a description of project offerings, and contact info and a QR code to sign up.

Southeastern Massachusetts is experiencing some of the highest rates of farmland loss in the state. This collaborative initiative equips municipalities with the tools and capacity to permanently protect vital community farmlands as they exit the Chapter 61A program. By leveraging land preservation tools and strategies, project partners will assist municipalities in forming key partnerships, navigating Purchase and Sale (P&S) agreements, identify funding for farmland protection, and exercise their Right of First Refusal (ROFR) on valued farmlands.

Project partners will provide direct training and tools to help municipal leaders proactively address land loss and effectively exercise Right of First Refusal (ROFR). This approach strengthens local boards, boosts municipal capacity to preserve Chapter 61A farmland, and accelerates land protection rates across the SRPEDD-OCPC region. Ultimately, this project establishes a proven, replicable agricultural preservation model for RPAs and Land Trusts across the Commonwealth.
Project partners will provide direct training and tools to help municipal leaders proactively address land loss and effectively exercise Right of First Refusal (ROFR). This approach strengthens local boards, boosts municipal capacity to preserve Chapter 61A farmland, and accelerates land protection rates across the SRPEDD-OCPC region. Ultimately, this project establishes a proven, replicable agricultural preservation model for RPAs and Land Trusts to support municipalities across the Commonwealth.

Project Contacts

Karen Pettinelli Principal Natural Resource Planner            kpettinelli@srpedd.org

Bryan Dole Environmental Intern                      Environmental_Intern@srpedd.org

Join our mailing list!

Be the first to hear about upcoming webinars, in-person consulting sessions, and new resources for protecting Chapter 61A farmland in your community. The list is open to municipal officials, board and committee members, landowners, farmers, conservation partners, and the public.

Join our project mailing list to receive project updates!

Help support farmland protection in Southeastern MA. 

This is a flyer promoting the 1st webinar of the southeastern MA farmland protection initiative. The Webinar is called Farmland Protection Tools for Municipalities. There is a QR code to register for the webinar and contact information.

Project Offerings

Project partners (SRPEDD, OCPC, and Wildlands Trust) are offering the following resources to municipalities as a part of this project:

1. Municipal Workshops on Chapter 61A and ROFR

A series of webinars providing municipal leaders a working understanding of the tools available to protect Chapter 61A farmland.

Webinar topics include:

  • Farm Protection Tools for Municipalities — An overview of farmland protection tools municipalities can use to protect Chapter 61A lands in the situation of a Right of First Refusal (ROFR).
  • Chapter 61A Right of First Refusal Need-to-Knows — topical workshops on the key elements of 61A protection.
  • The Value of Land Protection — a cost-benefit perspective from tax assessors and town managers on the fiscal outcomes of land conservation.
  • Local Champions / Local Successes — Regional success stories and challenges from communities doing this work.

Webinars are recorded and posted publicly so anyone can watch on their own schedule.

2. Municipal Preparedness for Land Acquisition

Project partners will engage in direct outreach to each municipality in order to identify gaps in current procedures for responding to a Purchase & Sale notice. Project partners will also assist in connecting municipal leaders with the right resources, contacts, and project offerings to address the gap in needs around Chapter 61A protection. The goal is for every town to be ready to move quickly when a ROFR notice arrives.

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3. Municipal Training on Chapter 61A

Project partners will offer small-group consulting sessions tailored to a municipality's specific needs, held in person or hybrid. Sessions are designed to equip boards, committees, and staff with the technical skills to respond effectively to a P&S or ROFR notice. Outside experts on Chapter 61A, land acquisition, tax assessment, and ROFRs join sessions to provide specialized guidance.

Example session topics:

  • “Is this a bona fide offer?” — How to identify a valid P&S notification.
  • “How to beat a P&S” — Steps to take and people to call, tailored to your town's structure.
  • Tools for preventative land protection and ongoing communication with Chapter 61A landowners.

If you are interested in receiving a Technical Municipal Guidance Session, please reach out to Karen Pettinelli at kpettinelli@srpedd.org.

4. Education on Zoning and Planning Tools That Reduce Farmland Loss

SRPEDD and OCPC will support municipalities in weaving farmland protection into their planning and zoning documents — including Master Plans, Open Space and Recreation Plans, Housing Production Plans, and zoning bylaws. Focused support will be provided around conservation subdivisions, natural resource protection zoning, and accessory apartment bylaws that allow communities to meet housing goals while keeping working farmland intact.

5. Using Community Preservation Act (CPA) Funds for Chapter 61A Lands

Project partners will offer educational opportunities, informational materials, and technical assistance for municipal Community Preservation Committees, Agricultural Commissions, and rights-holding entities on using CPA funds to protect farmland, including through setting up an Agricultural Preservation Fund (APF) — to support use of CPA funds in time-sensitive ROFR situations.

Project Partners

SRPEDD-Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (Lead Partner)

SRPEDD is the regional planning agency serving 27 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts. SRPEDD leads the SE MA Farmland Protection Initiative initiative and coordinates the partnership, and manages municipal outreach in its service area. SRPEDD delivers training, planning support, and educational materials to support a wide diversity of municipal projects - under the broad scope of environmental, comprehensive, and transportation planning. Visit the SRPEDD website mainpage.

OCPC - Old Colony Planning Council

OCPC is the regional planning agency serving southeastern MA along the south shore. OCPC delivers municipal outreach, training, and educational programming in its 17 member communities. OCPC provides project offerings within its region, and contributes resources, web content, planning coordination, and presentation materials to the overall project. Visit the Old Colony Planning Council website.

Wildlands Trust

Wildlands Trust is a regional land trust permanently protecting native habitats, farmland, and lands of high ecological and scenic value across southeastern Massachusetts. Wildlands will lead municipal training sessions on Chapter 61A protection strategies, providing technical assistance on land protection transactions, and supports municipalities in land acquisitions and transfers. Visit the Wildlands Trust website.

Mailing List

Join our mailing list!

Be the first to hear about upcoming webinars, in-person consulting sessions, and new resources for protecting Chapter 61A farmland in your community. The list is open to municipal officials, board and committee members, landowners, farmers, conservation partners, and the public.

Join our project mailing list to receive project updates!

Help support farmland protection in Southeastern MA. 

This is an image of different types of farmland in Southeastern MA. It shows a regional map of SRPEDD and OCPC and a heading that says 'Southeastern MA Farmland Protection Initiative' and Protect our Farmland. Credit is given to MDAR for fiscal support.

Resources

  • Webinar 1: Farmland Protection Tools for Municipalities                                                              slides and webinar coming soon
  • Pamphlet

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