It was a blast supporting Belchertown Little League at their annual home run derby fundraiser. A big thank you to all the volunteers and participants.
It looks like I might have to wait on my MLB debut.
Today, Bartlett Farm in Salisbury became the 1000 property to be permanently preserved as farmland in Massachusetts. For 12 generations this family has been a steward of these lands, which have been a family farm longer than this nation has been a nation. It was an honor to be with Donna Bartlett today, and @saunders4rep@senatorbrucetarr@massgrown@ecgreenbelt
Our local nonprofits are the backbone of our community, especially when it comes to addressing food insecurity.
Shipt is opening applications for their 2026 Community Impact Grant, and I want to ensure our local leaders are aware that this funding resource is available to them.
Whether you are a new organization, watching a pilot or an established anchor, looking to scale, there is a funding tier suited for your mission. Shipt is currently prioritizing projects focused on three key areas of impact:
1. Mobile Markets: Bridging the food access gap by bringing the store directly to the community.
2. Teaching Farms: Providing hands-on learning about local food production.
3. Food Hubs: Providing infrastructure to connect small-scale farms to new market opportunities.
Applications will be accepted between May 11 and June 12. Please visit shipt.com/grants for four eligibility requirements and submission details.
On May 22nd, Eversource will be hosting a Q&A session at the Wendell Free Library regarding their Transmission Reliability Program Project.
The project area includes the towns of Wendell, Shutesbury, Pelham, Belchertown, Erving, Montague, Leverett, Amherst, and Granby.
Community members are encouraged to attend to learn more about the project and ask questions or share concerns.
I was pleased to see many critical investments to our agriculture and food systems in the FY27 House budget.
From universal school meals to increased SNAP access, these investments will help support farmers and build a healthier, more food-secure Commonwealth.
Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, funded at $63.4B.
This budget includes major investments in local aid for cities and towns, child care, health care, public health and mental health programs, Regional Transit Authorities, higher education, and environmental initiatives.
It was a pleasure to attend the Quabbin Photo Exhibit Reception in the State House! This amazing installation from Belchertown’s Ed Comeau showcases the depth and complexity of the Quabbin Reservoir.
The Quabbin provides drinking water for nearly three million people and businesses in the greater Boston area.
In addition to Ed, I am very appreciative of the Mass Cultural Council for their support of the project as well as all of the amazing municipal leaders and watershed stewards who joined us in celebrating this exhibit.
I am pleased to report that the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety has awarded the 7th Hampden District $18,000 in grant funds for the Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE programs.
These programs educate children and older adults on fire and life safety, preventing tragedies across the Commonwealth. I am thankful to the DFS for their continued support, as well as our local first responders who work tirelessly to keep our district safe.
I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments to talk about the impactful public health work happening across our region and how the state can support these efforts.
Their programs play an important role in expanding access to care and resources in our rural communities, and I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.
It was great to meet with local reporters and advocates from Free Press Action and the Media Power Collaborative to discuss the growing challenges facing local news in Massachusetts.
We had an important conversation about how the state can help strengthen and preserve local journalism, an essential pillar of a healthy democracy in the Commonwealth.
