About the Agricultural Commission

Established in 2005, the Commission is comprised of five appointed members as well as three alternate members. If you are interested in serving on the Commission we invite you to attend one of our regular meetings, typically the first Wednesday of the month in the evening. You may also complete an online application to become a member of the Commission here: Town Of Ipswich Volunteer Committee Member Application

Mission

The mission of the Ipswich Agricultural Commission is to support and provide a voice for the significant agricultural community and resources of Ipswich. The Commission represents all forms of agriculture in town including: fruit, vegetable and other food crop growers, animal and dairy food providers, equine facilities, hay operations, florists, nurseries, and aquaculture.

The mission of the Commission is to:

• Act as a facilitator, advocate, and educator on farming issues
• Encourage the pursuit of agriculture and agriculturally based economic opportunities in Ipswich
• Promote and encourage farming as a vocation
• Provide representation for the farming community in town government and in the community
• Pursue all initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community in Ipswich
• Work with other town committees on issues that face the town

Contact the Commission

Contact the Agricultural Commission via email If you are:

• Interested in participating in the Commission and/or Commission activities
• Looking for information or support for any agricultural issue regarding: wildlife, local and state regulations, economic viability and opportunities, education and advocacy, estate planning, etc.
• Looking for support on an agricultural issue you are facing with the town or townspeople

Also of Interest:

The Ipswich Farmers Market

The Ipswich Farmers Market is a seasonal community market held on the Middle Green on South Main Street next to the Hall Haskell House Visitor Center. It features local food growers and purveyors, crafters and artists, as well as family activities and live music. It completed its fourth season of operation in 2017, and in 2018 held a single Harvest Market in the fall. Plans are underway for a Pop Up Farmers Market on Friday June 21, 2019 from 4-7pm. Come see what's local in our community!
 

Map of Ipswich Farms

This map shows retail farms in Ipswich open to the public, as well as other farms active in agriculture in town. We encourage you to support your local farmer!

Drought Funding for Water conservation Projects

Recognizing the hardship that farms throughout the Commonwealth have faced during the 2016 growing season due to unprecedented drought conditions, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced additional grant funding for water conservation projects to be released through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). MDAR will administer $250,000 of grant funding through its Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program (AEEP) for water conservation projects that help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for, and recover after, this years' severe drought.  Selected proposals will be reimbursed up to $25,000 or 85% of total project costs of approved projects. To learn more & to apply, click here.