A Letter from the Commissioner 



Dear Colleagues, 



This year was one of the most critical years in history for Massachusetts agricuhure. Farmers and 

 their many friends came together in a wondrous way to defeat an effort by animal rights advocates to 

 alter farming practices in the Bay State. 



With little funding, lots of gumption, incredible hard work and plenty of political savvy, the farming 

 community achieved a major political upset. They are to be congratulated for this effort, which 

 received much national attention. 



This was all the more remarkable given the amount of national political interest in Massachusetts 

 with a native son, Michael S. Dukakis, the Democratic nominee for President, a fact that led to a very 

 large voter turnout. In the end, 1.5 million voters cast ballots in favor of the Massachusetts family 

 farm, with only some 600,000 voting for the animal rights referendum. It was a great victory, achieved 

 with little money. The organizers are to be commended. 



On other fronts, the Department worked hard to continue to achieve major objectives, resulting 

 in the publication in October 1988, of a Task Force report entitled The Massachusetts Farm and Food 

 System, A Five Year Policy Framework, 1988-1993. State farm policy continued its progress with a strong 

 market orientation, farmland protection, attention to programs in Integrated Pest management and 

 a major initiative to stabilize the hard-pressed dairy industry. 



We especially want to thank the farmers on the animal rights issue, the Agricultural Board who 

 continued to offer so much support and to the new Secretary of Envirormiental Affairs, John P. 

 DeVillars, whose support on policy initiatives will permit the Department of Food and Agriculture 

 to continue its worthwhile programs. 



Sincerely, 



(\ 



AuguC Schv^)l)^CT Jr., 

 Commissioner 



JP- 



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