PUBLIC INFORMATION 



A new effort this year to increase public awareness of local agricultur 

 was the observance of the first annual "Massachusetts Agriculture Week" 

 during August, 1977. Governor Dukakis signed the proclamtion at ceremonies | 

 attended by fanners and representatives of various agricultural groups. 



The week was planned to coincide with the annual "Farm Tour" sponsored 

 by the Cooperative Extension Service and related agencies. Agriculture Week' 

 emphasized the benefits to both farmers and consumers of preserving the 

 productivity of farmland in Massachusetts,, 



News releases were written weekly to explain programs and current con- 

 cerns of various Divisions of the Department, agricultural issues, meetings, 

 locally grown crops in season and direct marketing outlets. | 



Numerous requests from news writers and broadcasters were answered; 

 major areas of inquiry were local crops, farms, weather conditions, 

 legislation concerning agriculture, current best food buys and nutrition. 

 There were more than 2100 newsclips concerning the Department in newspapers 

 across the state^ 



Best food buys of the month were featured on the WCVB-TV "Good Day" 

 program; current shopping tips and information on other agricultural topics 

 were also broadcast regularly on WHDH and WEEI in Boston and whenever re- 

 quested on other radio and TV stationSo The Department's twenty-five- 

 minute program "Countryside" was also aired weekly on WBZ each Saturday 

 and Sunday morning. 



There were many requests for interviews with Commissioner Winthrop and 

 there was also good response from TV stations across the state who aired 

 our public service announcements about the benefits of local farm productior 



MARKETING ACTIVITIES 



Farmers markets continue to increase in Massachusetts and there are 

 more than twenty-five in the planning stages for the 1978 summer season. 

 It is estimated that there are also six hundred and ten farm operated 

 roadside stands and fifty "pick your own" operations across the state, which 

 is further indication of the popularity of farmer-to-consumer direct marketi 



The Division has also laid the groundwork for increased production of 

 Massachusetts eggs and fresh vegetables by helping to make arrangements for 

 the future use of these products by a large local food chain. We are 



