The Northeast Regional Center for Rural
Development Land Use Toolbox
Massachusetts - Agriculture & Rural Change
links
University
of Massachusetts
Agriculture
and Landscape Program,
http://www.umass.edu/agland/
Description:
The Agriculture and Landscape Program draws on the expertise of over 60
faculty and professionals from the University of Massachusetts to help
the Commonwealth's unique and vibrant agriculturally related businesses
solve problems through research and education. Scientists and educators
with a wide range of expertise, such as plant diseases, insect pests,
soils and plant nutrition, view Massachusetts agriculture as an important
part of our environment and communities. We use a range of methods, from
the web to one-on-one consultations, to teach growers and the public in
our state about integrated pest management, community supported agriculture,
water management and protection, and many other aspects of environmentally
sound and economically viable agriculture.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Center
for Agriculture,
http://www.umass.edu/agcenter/
Description:
The Center for Agriculture brings together agricultural programs from
UMass Extension, the College of Natural Resources and the Environment,
and the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. The purpose of
the Center for Agriculture is to serve as a portal through which individuals,
industries, and agencies can connect with scientists and educators. Simply
put, The Center for Agriculture provides access to all of the expertise
within the agricultural programs of the university.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Center
for Rural Massachusetts,
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ruralma/
Description:
The Center for Rural Massachusetts was established at the University of
Massachusetts in 1985 because a new set of problems had arisen in the
rural part of the state, driven by rapid economic growth in urban areas,
a widespread belief that uncontrolled growth posed a major threat to natural
and built rural environments, major changes in the rural economy, and
concerns about the welfare of rural residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Housing
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Center
for Rural Massachusetts Publications,
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ruralma/CRM.pub.html
Description:
A list of publications available from the Center for Rural Massachusetts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Natural
Resources and Environmental Conservation,
http://www.umass.edu/nrec/
Description:
UMASS Extension's Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Program
provides educational programs and materials that enable people to make
informed decisions and take actions to preserve or enhance the quality,
productivity and sustainability of natural resources and natural systems.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Resource
Economics Outreach Activities,
http://www.umass.edu/resec/outreach/index.html
Description:
Information about Resource Economics outreach programs that deal with
"big picture" issues such as the food system, natural resources
like water and land, environmental policies, and community development.
Resource Economics carefully weighs the options about how resources are
developed, allocated, and used. And they develop skills to make decisions
when no easy answers are apparent.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Resource
Mapping,
http://www.umass.edu/forwild/rmapping/Home%20Page/more.html
Description:
Resource Mapping has been in existence since the 1950's when Forestry
Professor William P. MacConnell set out to map land cover for the entire
state of Massachusetts in order to identify wildlife habitat using aerial
photography. This was eventually expanded to include the mapping of all
land uses for the state and has been modified for use in present day projects.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Other
Massachusetts Links
American
Farmland Trust
American
Farmland Trust Northeastern Regional Office: Massachusetts,
http://www.farmland.org/northeast/massachusetts.htm
Description: Since their founding in 1980, American Farmland Trust has helped win permanent protection for over a million acres of American farmland. They have three strategies for saving America's farmland: protect the best land through publicly funded agricultural conservation easement programs; plan for growth with agriculture in mind through effective community planning and growth management; and keep the land healthy for farmland through encouraging stewardship and conservation practices.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Connecticut
River Watershed Council
Connecticut
River Watershed Council,
http://www.ctriver.org/
Description:
Founded in 1952, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) is the
only broad-based citizen advocate for the environmental well-being of
the entire Connecticut River. Our primary mission is to promote improvement
of water quality and the restoration, conservation, wise development and
use of the natural resources of the Connecticut River watershed.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation
Conservation
Law Foundation,
http://www.clf.org/
Description:
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental
advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England,
where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on
the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region
and its residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Deerfield
River Watershed Association
Deerfield
River Watershed Association,
http://www.umass.edu/tei/mwwp/drwa/index.html#work
Description:
The Deerfield River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization
with the mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources
of the Deerfield River watershed in south-eastern Vermont and north-western
Massachusetts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Vermont
Department
of Agricultural Resources
Agricultural
Environment Enhancement Program,
http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/programs/aeep/index.htm
Description:
The Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) provides funding
to farmers to install a variety of water quality protection practices.
Eligible practices include the installation of buffers, animal waste systems,
pesticide storage facilities, fencing, culverts, seed and gutters. All
farmers who actively farm five acres or more of land which could potentially
impact a water resource are eligible.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Agricultural Resources
Bureau
of Land Use,
http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/landuse/index.htm
Description:
Information about several programs, laws and regulations pertinent to
agricultural land use.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Agricultural Resources
Bureau
of Markets,
http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/markets/index.htm
Description:
The Bureau of Markets promotes the viability and sustainability of Massachusetts'
food and agricultural businesses through marketing and educational activities.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Housing and Community Development
Division
of Municipal Development,
http://www.state.ma.us/dhcd/components/dcs/default.htm
Description:
As one of four operating divisions within the Department of Housing and
Community Development, we are committed to providing the best information
available to help communities access grants, training, and technical assistance.
If you are involved in city or town government, or are concerned with
community development and your local economic base, this is an excellent
Massachusetts state government resource to find relevant and up-to-date
information at your desktop.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Division
of Conservation Services
Division
of Conservation Services,
http://www.state.ma.us/envir/dcs/default.htm
Description:
Since 1964, the Division of Conservation Services has been providing technical
and financial assistance to farmers as well as public and private land
owners in matters dealing with farm plans or sediment and erosion control.
DCS awards grants to municipalities for conservation and park land acquisition
and construction. DCS also provides assistance with the development of
open space and recreation plans, and to municipalities, land trusts, and
private land owners regarding approval of conservation restrictions.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Economic
Research Service - USDA
Massachusetts
State Fact Sheet from USDA/ERS,
http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts/MA.htm
Description: State fact sheets provide information on population, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for each state in the United States.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Farm
Service Agency - USDA
Farm
Service Agency,
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/ma
Description:
Stabilizing farm income, helping farmers conserve land and water resources,
providing credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and helping
farm operations recover from the effects of disaster are the missions
of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Green
Valley Institute
Green
Valley Institute,
http://thelastgreenvalley.org/gvi/
Description:
The Green Valley Institute exists to help Heritage Corridor communities
and citizens sustain their environment and quality of life while growing
their economies. We are a non-regulatory organization dedicated to: improving
the knowledge base from which land use and natural resource decisions
are made and building local capacity to protect and manage natural resources
as our region grows.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts
Growing
New Farmers Initiative
Growing
New Farmers Initiative,
http://gnf.bigmindcatalyst.com/cgi/bmc2.pl?page=pubpg1.html&node=1010
Description:
The Growing New Farmers (GNF) Project is a regional initiative to provide
future generations of Northeast farmers with the support and expertise
they need to succeed. GNF brings together service providers from across
the Northeast who are committed to working with and advocating for new
and beginning farmers.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
Harvard
University
Harvard
Forest,
http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/index.html
Description:
Since 1907 research and education have been the mission of the Harvard
Forest, one of the oldest and most intensively studied forests in North
America. From a center comprised of 3000 acres of land, research facilities,
and the Fisher Museum the scientists, students, and collaborators at the
Forest explore topics ranging from conservation and environmental change
to land-use history and the ways in which physical, biological and human
systems interact to change our earth.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Massachusetts
Farm Bureau
Massachusetts
Farm Bureau,
http://www.massfarmbureau.com/
Description:
The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation was organized in November 1921.
Over the years the emphasis within the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
has switched from cooperative sales to membership and legislative concerns.
Concerned over the future of farming in Massachusetts, Farm Bureau brought
about the shift toward legislative goals to combat the persistent loss
of farms.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Rural Development Council
Massachusetts
Rural Development Council,
http://www.mrdc.org/index.html
Description:
The Massachusetts Rural Development Council, Inc., (MRDC) a not for profit
corporation, serves as a partnership between the national government,
Massachusetts state government, municipalities, private for-profit and
private not-for-profit sectors to provide development opportunities for
rural Massachusetts residents. It is dedicated to improving the quality
of life in rural Massachusetts while preserving the characteristics that
give rural communities their unique sense of place.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Trial Court Law Libraries
Code
of Massachusetts Regulations,
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/cmr.html
Description:
This area provides access to those sections of the CMR which are available
on the web. Sections not listed are not currently available on the web.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Natural
Resource Conservation Service - USDA
Massachusetts
NRCS,
http://www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/
Description:
NRCS soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists,
engineers, planners, and other specialists promote land stewardship by
providing technical assistance through teams to address surface and groundwater
quality; wetlands, riparian areas, and biodiversity; aquatic and terrestrial
habitat; and impacts of landuse changes. NRCS teams work on all of a state's
landscapes: agricultural, wetlands and riparian areas, suburban, rural,
urban centers, and forested.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
New
England Regional Water Quality Program
New
England Regional Water Quality Program,
http://www.usawaterquality.org/newengland/
Description:
The CSREES New England Regional Water Quality Program works to improve
water quality management through educational knowledge and extension programming
that emerges from a research base. The program builds on the strengths
of the Extension Water Quality Programs at the Land Grant Universities
throughout New England.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
New
England Small Farm Institute
New
England Small Farm Institute,
http://www.smallfarm.org/
Description:
A private nonprofit organization supporting beginning farmers and sustainable
small scale agriculture throughout New England.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Northeast
Center for Risk Management Education
Northeast
Center for Risk Management Education,
http://www.necrme.org/
Description:
The goal of the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education is to assist
and educate agricultural producers and their families from the Northeast
region. As a regional resource, the Center provides risk management education
leadership and coordination, establishing priorities for RME programs
and conducting a competitive grants program to respond to these priorities.
The Center also works to enhance collaboration and partnering within the
region, and disseminates information regarding risk management activities
occurring throughout the Northeast.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast-Midwest
Institute,
http://www.nemw.org
Description:
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit,
and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality,
environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Northeast
Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
Northeast
Sustainable Agriculture Working Group,
http://www.smallfarm.org/nesawg/index.php
Description:
The Purpose of the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG)
is to build a sustainable food and agriculture system... one that is environmentally
sound, economically viable, socially just and produces safe, nutritious
food.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
Quinebaug-Shetucket
Heritage Corridor
Quinebaug-Shetucket
Heritage Corridor,
http://thelastgreenvalley.org/QSHC_Welcome_page.html
Description:
In 1994, because many civic groups, businesses, volunteers and local and
state governments banded together with technical assistance from the National
Park Service, Congress recognized the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley
National Heritage Corridor and designated the region as a unique national
resource. And in 1999, because of the same kind of grassroots efforts,
Congress enlarged the National Heritage Corridor to include towns in the
Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts
Soil
and Water Conservation Society
Soil
and Water Conservation Society:
Southern New England,
http://users.chronomedia.com/snec-swcs/
Description:
The Soil and Water Conservation Society fosters the science and the art
of soil, water and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability.
We promote and practice an ethic recognizing the interdependence of people
and the environment.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts
Court
Opinions,
http://massreports.com/welcome.htm
Description:
Welcome to the official website of the office of the Reporter of Decisions
of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court. Since
1804 the Reporter's office has prepared the opinions of the Supreme Judicial
Court, the oldest court in continuous existence in the Western Hemisphere.
The primary purposes of this website are to provide the most timely and
efficient dissemination of the decisions of the two Massachusetts appellate
courts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Program
Northeast
Region SARE,
http://www.uvm.edu/~nesare/index.html
Description:
SARE supports research and education that helps build the future economic
viability of agriculture in the United States.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
University
of New Hampshire
Center
for Integrative Regional Problem Solving,
http://www.unh.edu/cirps/
Description: The Center for Integrative Regional Problem Solving facilitates ecologically-based, innovative approaches for securing quality of life and addressing land use challenges in Northern New England through integrated research, outreach, education, and multi-disciplinary partnerships.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
University
of Rhode Island
Coastal
Institute,
http://www.ci.uri.edu/projects/pnb
Description:
The mission of the Coastal Institute is to promote communication and integration
among planning efforts for Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode Island;
protect, restore, and improve Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode Island
ecosystems; foster informed, science-based decision-making; and pursue
sustainable economic development of Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode
Island.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Rhode Island
USDA
Forest Service
Northeastern
Area State and Private Forestry,
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/
Description:
The mission of the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area is to lead and
help support sustainable forest management and use across the landscape
to provide benefits for the people of the 20 Northeastern and Midwestern
States and the District of Columbia.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia
USDA
Rural Development in Southern New England
Rural
Development in Southern New England,
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma/
Description:
USDA Rural Development in the Southern New England Jurisdiction offers
a wealth of services and programs to rural communities. It is our mission
to ensure that rural citizens participate fully in the global economy
as well as to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic
opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
National Governors Assn
Brownfields Projects to improve public health, www.nga.org
Description: Benefits in health as well as improved active living.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, water, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachussetts
National Governors Assn
Attacking sprawl by revitalizing older communities, www.nga.org
Description: Benefits of Brownfield redevelopment of older communitites.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Maryland, Massachussetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
National Governors Assn
Fixing It First: Improving present infrasturcture, www.nga.org
Description: Build/maintain present assets before creating new ones.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, Massachussetts, Delaware, Maryland
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Compact mixed use development in Boston, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Identifying areas of mixed use and potential mixed use and sprawl.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Assessing land encumbered by conservation restrictions, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: How communities are assesing conservation restricted land.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Principles for community and college interaction, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Discussion of interaction with college and community interaction.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, ag&rural change, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Public values and conservation land: A case study in MA, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: This paper explores public values and attitudes toward conservation land by tracing the history of a proposed conversion of town conservation land to water supply purposes in Weston, Massachusetts.
Topics: land preservation, water, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Regulating subdivisions in Massachusetts, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Practices and outlooks; survey of public officials.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The Ghetto and the ethnic enclave, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: There is a difference between the ghetto and the ethnic enclave.
Topics: land preservation, housing, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Urban vacan lot redevelopment, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Challenges and progress ...
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, ag&rural change, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachussetts
US EPA
Review of Statewide Watershed Mgmt Approaches, www.epa.gov
Description: Identify and describe different models of watershed mgmt; looking at different states; make recommendations.
Topics: land preservation, water, planning&zoning, housing, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts, New Jersey
NGA
Coordinating Resources to Grow more efficiently: The Massachusetts Approach, www.nga.org
Description: From increased demands on MA economic structure the MA approach developed .
Topics: land preservation, housing, planning&zoning, water, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
NERCRD ©2004
The Toolbox is a joint effort of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
and Penn State Cooperative Extension in Adams County.
This page was last updated on July 13, 2005.
For questions, suggestions or to report broken links, please contact NERCRD: nercrd@psu.edu.