Agriculture

"I am proud to represent the thousands of small family farmers in Western and Central Massachusetts that have fed our communities, sustained our workforce, and helped to grow our prosperity for generations. Local farms are vital to our landscape and pivotal to our health and well-being."

The destructive influence of big businesses and the consolidation of agriculture have put serious strains on our farms. Now, as we witness a move towards slow food and local farming across America, Jim believes that the government can and should provide local farmers with the resources they need to succeed.

Jim's goal is to ensure that the all of the 1,832 farms in our Congressional District have their voices heard in Congress. That’s why each year, he does a farm tour get on-the-ground feedback about what our farms need to thrive.

Jim believes that the government assistance that large, single- crop farms already get should be available to our organic and diversified farms. He's fought to protect farm lands and preserve access for those looking to open farms, as well as ensuring that new and growing farms have the tools they need to compete.

Finally, he has worked to safeguard farms from the negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production, such as ensuring that federal aid was available to family farms following the severe drought that affected Massachusetts starting in 2015.