The high cost of land, energy, and other inputs make farming in Massachusetts much more expensive than in other states. So much so, in fact, that it costs more for farmers to produce crops in Massachusetts than they earn selling them.
The table of Central Massachusetts’ top U.S.Department of Agriculture farm commodity subsidy recipients in WBJ’s 2025 Book of Lists could benefit from some context.
Ashley Randle
As is, it might lead readers to believe that Massachusetts farmers are becoming wealthy thanks to federal payments. But the source cited in that page’s footnote ranks Massachusetts 46th in the nation for federal farm subsidies, receiving just 0.1% of total payments nationally. And the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture showed that government payments to Worcester County’s 1,623 farms actually declined by 11% over five years.
ADVERTISEMENT
The high cost of land, energy, and other inputs make farming in Massachusetts much more expensive than in other states. So much so, in fact, that it costs more for farmers to produce crops in Massachusetts than they earn selling them.
To make ends meet, most have off-farm jobs, sell products directly to consumers in order to capture more of the retail dollar, or offer agritourism opportunities like pick-your-own or event venues.
Investments in grant programs and innovative farmland preservation efforts managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources also help carry out the state’s commitment to maintaining a vibrant agricultural sector that we all benefit from, in the form of protected natural resources and access to fresh, locally grown food and products.
The vast majority of federal subsidies for agriculture go to commodity crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, while very little goes to fruits and vegetables, which make up the majority of Massachusetts’ crop production.
Rather than relying on federal subsidies, Massachusetts farmers rely on their skills as growers, their commitment to management practices that benefit natural resources, and their relationships with dedicated local customers to remain in business.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ashley Randle is the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. She became the first woman to lead MDAR when she was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey in 2023.
