Policy and Advocacy Newsletter2025-11-24T12:55:25-05:00

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Newsletter Archive

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Food Justice – see how our community is working to improve the food system

Policy and Advocacy Newsletter

Amendments in the Senate Environmental Bond Bill

June 20th, 2026|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter In the previous policy newsletter, we mentioned that the Environmental Bond Bill passed in the Massachusetts Senate and that multiple amendments had been made. There were addendums added [...]

A Major Step Forward for Soil Health in Massachusetts

April 27th, 2026|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter Last summer, a small group of advocates waited for more than four hours in a packed State House hearing room to request that the legislature earmark $5.5 million [...]

Important Updates for State and National Initiatives

February 23rd, 2026|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter From Laura Davis, NOFA/Mass Soil Health Technical Advisor, Certification Coordinator & TOPP Mentor Coordinator Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program Update We know many organic farmers are eagerly [...]

News from the NOFA/Mass Policy Department

September 7th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Interim Policy Director & Dago Driggs, NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor Hi friends. You might have seen the job posting for a new Policy Director and have questions about what I'm [...]

Action Alert

September 18th, 2023|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators|Tags: , , , , , |

Special Policy Alert Dear friend, First, I want to share some good news: the Environment and Natural Resources Committee reported bill H.825/S.487 "An Act Relative to Pesticides" favorably to the House Ways and [...]

State and Federal Efforts on Pesticides and Pollinators Continue

October 13th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

By Mike Rice, NOFA/Mass Interim Policy Director & Dago Driggs, NOFA/Mass Senior Policy Advisor Note: Deadline Extended in Search for Next NOFA/Mass Policy Director Please help us find the [...]

Updates from the 21st Century Ag Commission, NOSB Meeting, Film Premiere Event, and more!

November 14th, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

21st Century Ag Commission Update By NOFA/Mass Board Member John Duke Earlier this year, NOFA/Mass was invited to appoint a representative to the Special Commission on Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the [...]

Action Alert

December 1st, 2023|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators|Tags: , , , , , |

Special Policy Alert Take Action Now! The Mass. State legislature is considering several bills which would move our Commonwealth away from reliance on toxic biocides (life-killing chemicals) like glyphosate and toward [...]

Mass. Pollinator Network Call to Action on Pesticides Reform

January 16th, 2024|Categories: Action Alert, Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , |

By Renée Scott, Massachusetts Pollinator Network Coordinator Use this form to send a quick message to your legislators Use the link above to send a quick message to your legislator asking them to [...]

The latest on NOFA/Mass’s priority bills

February 15th, 2024|Categories: Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: , |

By Renée Scott, Mass Pollinator Network Coordinator February 7th, was the last day for bills to be moved through committees for the 2023/2024 legislative session. We’re proud to share that two of our priority bills [...]

A look at Healthy Soils policy wins since 2018

March 19th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , |

By: Renée Scott In this edition of NOFA/Mass Policy News, we’re thrilled to share the National Healthy Soils Policy Network’s 5 Year Impact Report! The National Healthy Soils Policy Network is a farmer-forward community of grassroots [...]

NOFA/Mass’s Beginning Farmer Programs

April 16th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , |

By: Sara Riegler and Annie Sholar In this edition of the NOFA/Mass Policy & Advocacy Newsletter, we take a look at how the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) supports new farmers [...]

Action Alert: Prevent Congress from making a huge mistake in The Farm Bill

April 24th, 2024|Categories: Action Alert, Newsletters|Tags: , , |

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, of which NOFA/Mass is a coalition member, is holding its “Farm Bill For All Farmers Week of Action: Conservation Not Consolidation.” We are urging all of our members to join [...]

Inside the Statehouse: Ag Days 2024

May 11th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , |

by Annie Sholar Early last month, NOFA/Mass had the opportunity to spend a day inside the Statehouse, connecting with legislators and staff about bills and issues facing organic farmers and growers throughout the state. [...]

What is “Climate-Smart” Agriculture?

June 26th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

In this edition of the Policy newsletter, we break down the USDA's "Climate-Smart Agriculture" program, and explain how NOFA/Mass is involved. The Climate-Smart Commodities Program came in response to President Biden’s January 2021 [...]

How NOFA rates the 2024 Farm Bill

July 15th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , |

While farmers and gardeners have been busy tending their crops and livestock this season, Congress has been busy working on the next farm bill. Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released a farm bill framework from the Senate [...]

Summer updates from the statehouse

August 5th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , , , |

In this edition of the Policy newsletter, we share updates from the most recent meeting of the Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century Commission, and track our priority bills in the state [...]

Climate-Smart Limbo: Farmers Face Funding Uncertainty

April 2nd, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter Learn how the Trump administration's funding freeze disrupts the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, leaving NOFA/Mass and organic farmers in flux. By Najee Quashie Reporting from Massachusetts Funding Freeze [...]

NOFA/Mass Legislative Priorities Update: PFAS & Healthy Soils

July 15th, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter Just as farmers and gardeners have been busy sowing cold-hardy crops and raising young seedlings, the NOFA/Mass Policy Team has been busy working with legislators and allies on [...]

NOFA/Mass Legislative Update Pt. 2: Pesticide Reform in the Commonwealth

July 16th, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter In part two of our Massachusetts policy update, we’re spotlighting the pesticide-related bills NOFA/Mass is advocating for in the 2025-26 legislative session. NOFA/Mass has a long track record [...]

3 weeks left to prioritize living landscapes and food justice: Call your Legislators!

July 7th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Watch a personal video message from Policy Director Marty Dagoberto regarding this month's policy newsletter article. Dear NOFA/Mass friends, It’s been quite a summer/year/decade so [...]

The Trump Administration’s Plan for Farmers

February 4th, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter By: Najee Quashie Reporting from Massachusetts As Donald Trump takes office on January 20th, we examine his proposed policies for farmers, their impact on agriculture, and how [...]

Will Congress Pass the Farm Bill Before 2025?

January 1st, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter Najee Quashie, Interim Communications Director & Project Manager at NOFA/Mass, discusses the need for Congressional action on the Farm Bill before the year is up. Happy Holidays from [...]

What the Bird Flu Outbreak Means for You

March 11th, 2025|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , |

Policy & Advocacy Newsletter By Najee Quashie Reporting from Massachusetts Learn how the latest bird flu outbreak impacts poultry, dairy, and raw milk safety and what steps you can take to protect yourself. [...]

Grants for Farmers 🤑

October 8th, 2024|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , , |

Policy & Advocacy In this Policy & Advocacy newsletter edition, we dive into valuable grant opportunities designed to support and enhance your farming endeavors! Don't miss out on discovering funding that could transform your agricultural [...]

Healthy Soils Action Plan Released – Farm Bill for the Climate!

March 3rd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

Healthy Soils Action Plan Released ☀ Farm Bill for the Climate! RELEASED - An Action Plan for Healthy Soils In Mass. - Now let’s fund it! By Marty Dagoberto Driggs, NOFA/Mass Policy Director [...]

Action Continues, Climate Farmer Rally and Soil Symposium

February 3rd, 2023|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

Action Continues, Climate Farmer Rally and Soil Symposium By: Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director In this issue:  Keep emailing legislators for pesticide reform bills Are you on the bus?... Rally for Resilience in [...]

Promoting Racial Equity in Agriculture Through Policy

June 1st, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

By Nichole Catsos From the land theft and genocide of Indigenous peoples, through the enslavement of Black people, to the current labor exploitation of migrant workers in the United States, our food system has [...]

February Policy Newsletter – Priority bills advance, Healthy Soils as Infrastructure, and more

February 9th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director In this month’s NOFA/Mass Policy Newsletter… NOFA/Mass Priority Bills Advance from Committee! Several pieces of NOFA/Mass priority legislation were advanced in the Massachusetts Legislature ahead of the February [...]

Budget Season! Help Shape the Future of our Food System

April 6th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

Briefing for food system advocates on April 11, 2022 The state legislature has been focused on the state’s operating budget (FY23) and the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to release its version [...]

Will our Commonwealth support protections against Chemical Trespass?

March 10th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Last month, we reported with excitement and gratitude that the state’s legislative committee on the Environment and Agriculture approved several pesticide reform measures. We’d like to focus this [...]

The Farmer’s Voice in the Climate Crisis

January 5th, 2022|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , , |

How Climate Challenges Expose the Need for Regenerative Agricultural Practices By Kathleen Ernsting, Farmer and NOFA/Mass Journalism Intern It goes without saying that agriculture in the Northeast is being affected by climate change, and Massachusetts [...]

Victory for Pollinators! Retail stores to stop selling neonic pesticides in Massachusetts

March 2nd, 2021|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director On  March 1st 2021 the Mass. Pesticide Board Subcommittee passed a motion to protect pollinators by restricting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”). The new regulations, which go [...]

Be Heard on Pesticides Reform

June 2nd, 2021|Categories: Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

PUBLIC HEARING ON PESTICIDES ANNOUNCED!  December 14, 2021 at 1PM - ONLINE The State legislature is considering several bills which would move our Commonwealth away from reliance on toxic biocides (life-killing chemicals) and toward [...]

Statewide outpouring of support to save Herter Community Garden

November 3rd, 2021|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

A banner on the fence surrounding the garden, lush vegetation overflowing. (Photo by Marty Dagoberto, Oct. 21, 2021) By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director On October 18th we received a dire call [...]

New funding for Healthy Soils and Glyphosate Study; Bayer to end consumer sales

August 5th, 2021|Categories: Mass Pollinators, Newsletters|Tags: , , |

This is a good news bulletin! The FY22 state budget approved by the Massachusetts legislature on July 8, 2021 included two amendments we had been advocating for: funding for the Mass. Healthy Soils Program [...]

The Massachusetts Pollinator Network Takes Flight

July 1st, 2021|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , , |

By Rosemary Malfi, Massachusetts Pollinator Network Coordinator After many months of preparation, fundraising, and community building, NOFA/Mass has officially launched the Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN) as part of our Policy Department. MAPN is a statewide initiative to connect and support the growing number of [...]

Call legislators to cosponsor NOFA/Mass priorities

April 7th, 2021|Categories: Newsletters|Tags: , , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Now is the time: we need all NOFA/Mass members and supporters to contact their state legislators to ask them to cosponsor our legislative priorities for the 2021-22 legislative [...]

New Bill to Address Eagle Poisoning… (Keep) Calling Legislators

May 4th, 2021|Categories: Action Alert, Newsletters|Tags: , , |

By Marty Dagoberto, NOFA/Mass Policy Director Our April Policy Newsletter is still in effect - please keep calling for legislators to ask them to cosponsor our priority bills.  We were successful in securing the [...]

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