A MESSAGE FROM JOHN A. BEWICK, 

 SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 



Massachusetts residents in both rural 

 and urban areas should be concerned about 

 conservation of our agricultural resources. 

 The preservation and protection of our land 

 could make the difference between food 

 shortages and an adequate food supply in 

 the future. 



Much of Massachusetts farmland has 

 been converted to non-agricultural uses. 

 Today there are less than 700,000 acres 

 of active farmland in Massachusetts. In 

 1945, however, there were over two million 

 acres in production. Eighty-five percent 

 of our food supply is imported from other 

 states. 



This administration is comniitted to revitalizing the farming industry by 

 encouraging farmland preservation and by promoting Massachusetts grown products. 

 Our important task is to demonstrate that economic development need not be 

 undertaken at the expense of environmental quality. Soil conservation, pesticide 

 control, nursery and greenhouse inspection, and increased farmland protection are 

 just a few of this administration's ways of improving and protecting the state's 

 agricultural environment. 



The people of Massachusetts can also help. We must become more aware of the 

 needs and conditions of our land and make sound efforts to preserve this valuable 

 natural resource. As a government and as a people, we have a responsibility to 

 improve the state's agricultural industry so we can be prepared for the food 

 demands of the future. 



