Greenbelt Helps Celebrate Historic Milestone for State’s Farmland Protection Program

On May 15, Greenbelt President Chris LaPointe joined state and local leaders, farmland protection organizations, and advocates at Bartlett Farm in Salisbury to celebrate a major milestone for the Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program: the 1,000th APR in the Commonwealth.

As the first farm to participate in the APR Program nearly five decades ago, Bartlett Farm holds a special place in this history. The most recent APR on the property, marking the state’s 1,000th safeguarded nearly half of the farm’s remaining unprotected acreage. Another APR will be recorded later this year, preserving more than 200 additional acres.

Greenbelt has been a key partner in this ongoing conservation effort, helping connect the Bartlett family with the APR Program, providing matching funds to permanently protect the land, and covering associated landowner costs. “The APR Program has been a national leader in farmland conservation and affordability, and the legacy of conserved farms and access to affordable farmland is something all of us in Massachusetts can be proud of,” said Chris during his remarks at the event.

“With so many challenges that our farming community continues to face in their day-to-day lives and operations, the APR Program provides much-needed financial relief to current farmers, along with the peace of mind that their farmland will be preserved forever,” said Ashley Randle, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. “The next generation of farmers will benefit from more affordable access to this farmland, allowing Massachusetts agriculture to continue to thrive.”

The Massachusetts APR Program was the first program of its kind in the nation and, to date, has permanently preserved more than 75,000 acres of vital farmland, helping ensure the long-term viability of agriculture across the state.