This is a Request for Response (RFR) from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) seeking responses from owners of commercial farms in Massachusetts who have identified successors to transfer the farm to and are seeking assistance to develop a farm transfer plan. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April 1, 2026. The contract duration for each selected participant to receive assistance will be for up to one year. The program is offered at no cost to applicants that are selected for participation.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as received, through April 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as received, through april 1, 2026.
Complete applications for eligible applicants will be evaluated and ranked by the review team according to the following selection criteria: the viability and economic impact of current agricultural business, the potential success of the identified successor, the readiness and fit for applicants to participate in the process, and overall distribution of farm service based on geographic location and type of farm. complete applications for eligible applicants will be evaluated and ranked by the review team according to the following selection criteria: the viability and economic impact of current agricultural business, based on income, production level, employment and any impact on other ma agricultural producers the potential success of the identified successor through their demonstrated farming experience, any recent business plan, and suitability of the type of business for success at this property and location the readiness and fit for applicants to participate in the process to complete a farm transfer plan, based on any prior trainings, identified stakeholders, any initial steps taken, and timeframe for transfer overall distribution of farm service based on geographic location and type of farm, as determined solely by the department.
To be eligible an applicant must meet all of the following criteria: owners of land in massachusetts that is used for agriculture for commercial purposes, applicants must be an owner of the main farmland and, if different, also include the owner of the existing farm business, applicant owners are planning to retire and transfer ownership of farm management and farm assets within the next 10 years upon submitting an application, applicants have already identified a successors that is interested in transitioning to ownership and management of the applicants farm within the next 10 years, all farm owners must agree on the successor identified in the application before an applicant is selected for participation, all current farm landowners, farm business owners, and identified successors must sign the application. o be eligible an applicant must meet all of the following criteria: owners of land in massachusetts that is used for agriculture as defined under massachusetts law m. g. l. c. 128, 1a for commercial purposes. applicants must be an owner of the main farmland and, if different, also include the owner of the existing farm business. applicant owners are planning to retire and transfer ownership of farm management and farm assets within the next 10 years upon submitting an application. applicants have already identified a successors that is interested in transitioning to ownership and management of the applicants farm within the next 10 years. the identified successor does not need to be a member of owner applicants family. all farm owners must agree on the successor identified in the application before an applicant is selected for participation. all current farm landowners, farm business owners, and identified successors must sign the application.