These Are the Agriculture Bills Massachusetts Lawmakers Voted Against to Put Small Cranberry Farmers Out of Business
Massachusetts’ lawmakers refuse to listen to constituents demanding action, turning a blind eye to the state’s once-thriving cranberry legacy
For years, small cranberry farmers in Massachusetts have sounded the alarm about the increasing financial and regulatory burdens they face. Yet, time and time again, Massachusetts lawmakers have refused to take action, killing critical agriculture bills that could have provided support to struggling family-owned bogs.
Why? Follow the money. Big Agriculture (Big Ag) has a stranglehold on policy decisions, funneling campaign contributions to legislators who then turn their backs on the small farmers they claim to represent.
These Are the Agriculture Bills Massachusetts Lawmakers Voted Against to Put Small Cranberry Farmers Out of Business
The Agriculture Bills Massachusetts Lawmakers Have Blocked
1. The Small Farm Sustainability & Relief Act
What it proposed: A tax credit and grant program for small-scale cranberry growers to offset rising production costs and implement sustainable farming techniques.
Why lawmakers killed it: Lobbyists from large agricultural corporations opposed the bill, claiming it would "distort the market." The reality? Big Ag didn’t want small farmers to get a lifeline.
2. The Family Farm Conservation & Protection Act
What it proposed: Protection against aggressive land acquisition by major agribusinesses, ensuring that small cranberry farmers could hold onto their generational land.
Why lawmakers killed it: Major land developers and Big Ag interests pressured legislators to reject it. Without protections, small cranberry farms are being scooped up and repurposed for other crops or development.
3. The Cranberry Farmer Emergency Assistance Bill
What it proposed: Emergency funds for farmers hit by extreme weather events and disease outbreaks affecting cranberry crops.
Why lawmakers killed it: Instead of allocating relief funds to small farmers, the state continues to prioritize subsidies for industrial farms that already receive federal assistance.
4. The Buy Local Massachusetts Initiative
What it proposed: A program encouraging state institutions and schools to purchase locally grown cranberries before sourcing from out-of-state or imported suppliers.
Why lawmakers killed it: Large national food distributors opposed the measure, fearing it would cut into their monopoly on state contracts. The result? Schools and public institutions continue buying cranberries from Wisconsin and Canada, while Massachusetts farmers struggle to sell their own crops.
5. The Cranberry Grower Water Rights Protection Act
What it proposed: Protection against restrictive water use regulations that unfairly target small bog owners but allow corporate farms to extract excessive amounts.
Why lawmakers killed it: Major corporations lobbied for regulations that disproportionately impact small farms, forcing them to shut down while larger farms continue unrestricted operations.
Are Lawmakers "In Bed" with Big Ag?
It certainly looks that way. Instead of helping the hundreds of small, family-owned cranberry farms struggling to survive, Massachusetts legislators consistently favor industrial farming operations that pour money into their campaigns. These lawmakers refuse to respond to constituents demanding action, turning a blind eye to the state’s once-thriving cranberry legacy.
How Save Massachusetts Cranberry Bogs Foundation Steps In
Since the government refuses to act, we do. Save Massachusetts Cranberry Bogs Foundation is a nonprofit working directly with struggling cranberry farmers to ensure their survival. We provide:
Grants for small farms to cover operational costs and sustainability efforts.
Volunteer labor to assist with harvests and bog maintenance.
Land conservation programs to protect bogs from corporate acquisition.
Research initiatives to help small growers compete with industrial farms
Take Action: Help Save Massachusetts’ Cranberry Farms
Since lawmakers won’t protect Massachusetts' cranberry farms, it’s up to us. You can make a difference by donating, volunteering, or advocating for policies that support small farmers. Let’s keep Massachusetts’ cranberry legacy alive—before it’s too late.
Until they take action, Save Massachusetts Cranberry Bogs Foundation will continue fighting for the farmers who have been left behind. And if you care about keeping Massachusetts’ cranberry industry alive, now is the time to act. Donate today and help small cranberry farmers survive against the odds. If the government won’t protect our cranberry heritage, we have to do it ourselves.
Save Massachusetts Cranberry Bogs Foundation: Donate today to help preserve the future of New England’s culinary heritage.