BOSTON – Ten Barnstable and Plymouth County farms have been awarded almost $170,000 in grant funding to prevent or mitigate impacts on water and air quality and ensure efficient water use.
The grants through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Agricultural Environment Enhancement Program fund projects that include installing automated irrigation systems and tailwater recovery for cranberry operations, manure storage and fencing.
“The unprecedented severe drought this year has made water conservation even more important for farmers throughout the commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will provide farmers the opportunity to implement innovative water conservation practices and improve water quality, helping agricultural operations remain environmentally sustainable and economically viable.”
The state awarded a total of $250,000 to 15 farms. A list of local farms receiving grants is below.
Farm Name | City | County | Award | Project Type |
Agawam Cranberry Co., Inc. | Wareham | Plymouth | $18,500 | Three Automated Irrigation Systems |
Cape Cod Cranberry Realty Trust | West Barnstable | Barnstable | $17,500 | Two Automated Irrigation Systems and Piping |
Cowipa Mills Cranberries | Halifax | Plymouth | $13,500 | Two Automated Irrigation Systems |
Decas Cranberry Co., Inc. | Carver | Plymouth | $18,500 | Tailwater Recovery Pump; Flume |
Eagle Holt Co., Inc. | West Wareham | Plymouth | $25,000 | Lift Pump for Tailwater Recovery |
Johnson Cranberries, LTD | Middleboro | Plymouth | $15,000 | Five Flumes |
Rocky Maple Bogs | Carver | Plymouth | $7,500 | Irrometer |
Slocum Gibbs Cranberry Co., Inc. | Carver | Plymouth | $25,000 | Bypass Canal; Two Automated Irrigation Systems |
Southers Marsh Cranberry Bogs, Inc. | Plymouth | Plymouth | $13,500 | Tailwater Recovery System |
Willows Cranberries | Wareham | Plymouth | $13,500 | Flume |