A MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR EDWARD J. KING 



As energy and transportation costs 

 continue to rise, it makes good economic 

 sense to grow and process more of our 

 food needs locally. 



Stepping up production and 

 stimulating consumer demand for locally 

 grown goods are efforts that go hand in 

 hand. Both consumers and farmers have 

 been very receptive to our state campaign 

 promoting "Massachusetts grown and fresher" 

 foods, and I hope you will also buy the 

 many other food products "made in 

 Massachusetts." All the food companies 

 that process goods in our state provide 

 jobs and bolster the economy of our 

 Commonwe a 1 th . 



This year the ten Northeastern State Departments of Agriculture, working in 

 concert with the Coalition of Northeastern Governors have announced a new effort 

 to strengthen the agricultural economy of our region. I have personally endorsed 

 the recently published "Food and Agriculture Policy for the Northeast." 



A coordinated effort to improve our region's farm economy is long overdue 

 and it will help assure the growth and stability of our local food supply. To 

 increase our production, and protect our remaining land resources, we must make 

 every effort to include agriculture as a full partner in our regional development 

 plans. 



Here in Massachusetts we are continuing to make progress with our agricultura! 

 preservation program. This innovative and voluntary program represents a commitmen- 

 by state government to keep our most valuable farmland in production and available 

 for future needs. It is an investment in our local food production capability, 

 and we hope to develop a permanent funding mechanism for this important work. 



We are hoping to take other measures to encourage the expansion of the farm 



and food economy here in our state. The fisheries industry is another vital part 



of our food production capabilities, and we hope to provide a favorable economic 

 climate for the growth of that industry as well. 



I am sure that all Massachusetts residents would want to join with me in 

 saluting their fellow citizens who work on the farms and in the related food and 

 agricultural businesses across the state. This, the first industry to "Make it 

 in Massachusetts," continues to thrive more than 350 years later and provide 

 both livelihood and sustenance. 



Makeitin ^ 

 Massadiusetts 



^m . 



Alassachusetts 

 grown ...and fresher! 



hi 



