Designating Farmland of Local Importance in Massachusetts

Date of Publication: 11/04/2021

Author: American Farmland Trust

Last Reviewed by MLTC: 12/11/2025


This resource explains how municipalities, conservation groups, and agricultural commissions can identify and formally designate farmland that is locally important even if it doesn’t qualify as prime or unique farmland. It outlines the criteria, process, and regulatory basis for creating these local designations so communities can strengthen farmland inventories, support local planning, and improve eligibility for conservation programs.


Resource: https://farmlandinfo.org/publications/designating-farmland-of-local-importance-in-massachusetts