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The APR Program is a voluntary program which
is intended to offer a non-development alternative to
farmers and other owners or "prime" and "state important"
agricultural land who are faced with a decision regarding
future use and disposition of their farms. Towards this end,
the program offers to pay farmers the difference between the
"fair market value" and the "agricultural value" of their
farmland in exchange for a permanent deed restriction which
precludes any use of the property that will have a negative
impact on its agricultural viability.
The state’s investment in the APR Program
benefits farmers, the state’s agricultural industry, the
state and local economies, consumers and the general
populace in a number of important ways.
- The program works to bolster the state’s
$532,000,000 agricultural industry by helping to
keep farms in active commercial use, and by sending
an important signal to the industry and its farmers
that Massachusetts is serious about encouraging a
strong and viable agricultural economy.
- Farmers whose land is accepted into the program
are able to realize equity from their land without
being forced to sell their farms for development
purposes. The equity is often reinvested back into
the protected farm by way of the purchase of more
land, equipment or buildings and through the
retirement of farm debt.
- A major portion of APR participants spend all or
most of their APR funds locally, thereby creating a
link between private and public benefit, and adding
credence to the assertion that APR monies benefit
more than just individual farmers and, in reality,
work to stimulate local and state economies.
- The APR Program often represents the only means
by which farmers are able to plan their estates to
allow for the transfer of ownership of their farms
to their children. By reducing the value of
restricted farmland to its agricultural value, gift
or inheritance taxes can be greatly reduced, thereby
eliminating the need for second generation farmers
to sell their farmland in order to pay taxes.
- APR restricted farmland represents an
opportunity for young farmers just entering the
business and other farmers in need of additional
land to purchase affordable farmland. The program
serves to stabilize farmland values and guarantee
the long-term availability of farmland. This factor
is especially important in areas with escalating
land values and is critical for farmers who rent a
large percentage of the land that they farm.
- By protecting farmland, the APR Program works to
secure a continued high quality of life for
Massachusetts residents. Farmland not only
contributes to the scenic beauty of the state, but
it provides for clean air and water, wildlife
habitat, and recreational opportunities.
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