Bill to Expand Urban Farmland—take action TODAY

You can help expand urban agriculture in the state of Massachusetts! On Monday the MA legislature is considering a bill (HB 91) to reduce property taxes for urban/small farms.

If the bill passes, it would incentivize more urban landowners to make their land available to farmers, and reduce the tax burden on urban farms.

The same tax breaks are already extended to larger farms (5+ acres) through the Chapter 61A program. Because of the nature of urban farms, they have been excluded from this financial break, making it challenging to sustain their businesses. HB 91 would reduce the minimum lot size a farm needs to qualify for these property tax breaks so that urban farms can also qualify.

The tax breaks are also an equity issue. Rural, predominantly white landowners and farmers benefit from lower tax rates, while typically more diverse urban farmers have been excluded.

Tell the Committee Members TODAY that Massachusetts needs more urban farms, and equity in farm tax rates.

Nuestro Huerto Farm, Worcester, MA