Modern Farming means wearing many Hats, Including Lobbyist

Presenters: Brad Mitchell, Deputy Director, Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, & Katelyn Parsons, Director of Marketing and Membership, Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation

Massachusetts farmers in today’s legislative environment routinely need an organization, like Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, to represent them on agricultural policy. Come to this event to hear MFBF staff discuss relevant issues that the organization is working to represent farmers on, including a bill to help keep farms in farm families by establishing an ag inheritance tax value.

Brad Mitchell has worked in the field of agricultural policy for more than 20 years. He represents MFBF on Beacon Hill and also spends much of his time helping members deal with conflicts with local and state regulators. He formerly held the positions of director of public affairs for Monsanto and director of regulatory services at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Katelyn Parsons raises awareness of the MFBF brand and develops strategies for County Farm Bureaus to recruit and retain members. She formerly worked at the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, D.C, as the Communications Manager.

June is Dairy Month! And all month we will be celebrating all things dairy – from cheese to yogurt, from ice cream to the good old fashioned glass of milk. But we will also celebrate by learning about dairy through the Dairy Month Lecture Series hosted by Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery and Barstow’s Longview Farm. Learn from experts and professionals about dairy nutrition, the dairy industry, sustainable farming, land use and open space, milk processing, and animal health. Join the conversation about the food in your fridge at your neighborhood farm! Tours begin and presentations are hosted at Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery (172 Hockanum Road). All tours and presentations in the Lecture Series can be found on Facebook and on our website www.barstowslongviewfarm.com.

Going to be late? Not a problem! Please don’t be deterred by arriving late to these presentations. Our speakers are prepared to have people arrive late and leave early – or to eat dinner while you listen!