Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | August 25, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 45 BY ASHLEY RANDLE Special to WBJ T he table of Central Massachusetts' top U.S.Department of Agriculture farm commodity subsidy recipients in WBJ's 2025 Book of Lists could benefit from some context. As is, it might lead readers to believe that Massachusetts farmers are becoming wealthy thanks to federal payments. But the source cited in that page's footnote ranks Massachusetts 46th in the nation for federal farm subsidies, receiving just 0.1% of total payments nationally. And the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture showed that government payments to Worcester County's 1,623 farms actually declined by 11% over five years. The high cost of land, energy, and other inputs make farming in Massachusetts much more expensive than in other states. So much so, in fact, that it costs more for farmers to produce crops in Massachusetts than they earn selling them. To make ends meet, most have off-farm jobs, sell products directly to consumers in order to capture more of the retail dollar, or offer agritourism opportunities like pick-your-own or event venues. Investments in grant programs and innovative farmland preservation efforts managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources also help carry out the state's commitment to maintaining a vibrant agricultural sector that we all benefit from, in the form of protected natural resources and access to fresh, locally grown food and products. The vast majority of federal subsidies for agriculture go to commodity crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, while very little goes to fruits and vegetables, which make up the majority of Massachusetts' crop production. Rather than relying on federal subsidies, Massachusetts farmers rely on their skills as growers, their commitment to management practices that benefit natural resources, and their relationships with dedicated local customers to remain in business. Ashley Randle is the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. She became the first woman to lead MDAR when she was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey in 2023. Federal agriculture subsidies not enriching Central Mass. farmers Cooperation is key to ballpark district's success A er the fire and brimstone vitriol com- ing out of the Worcester City Council and Worcester Redevelopment Author- ity late last year, it's encouraging to hear the City of Worcester is engaging in more constructive conversation with developer Madi- son Properties and its president, Denis Dowdle. Back in 2018, Dowdle was one third of the celebrat- ed triumvirate praised for convincing the Pawtucket Red Sox to move into a new Canal District baseball stadium, along with former city manager Edward Au- gustus and the late Larry Lucchino, chairman of the team. e plan was for Dowdle to build five residen- tial, hotel, and office developments around the ball- park, and the increase in tax collections from those previously moribund properties was meant to pay off the bulk of the bonds for the $160-million stadium, leading City officials to promise Polar Park would pay for itself and not use general taxpayer funds. From the beginning, Dowdle was upfront that the City's timeline for his developments was overly opti- mistic. Fast forward through COVID and slowdowns in the construction and financing industries, and only one of Dowdle's proposed developments – the 228- unit apartment complex e Revington – has come online. e ballpark district tax collections came up $792,000 short last fiscal year against an annual tithe of $6 million, requiring the City to use general taxpayers funds to cover the bond payment. e City needed someone to blame for its stadi- um financing shortfall, and Dowdle for became the pinyata. Members of City Council went as far as to suggest the City use its powers of eminent domain to seize Madison's properties, especially the high-profile Le Field Building, and force some kind of develop- ment. is was highly unlikely to happen; even if the City forced Dowdle out, such an action wouldn't be a welcome sign to a new developer, who would have to overcome the same market and industry barriers. Now, it's helpful to hear Dowdle tell WBJ Managing Editor Eric Casey for his story "e second inning" on page 11 that communication has improved with City officials. e Le Field Building has been listed for sale, and Dowdle said he is near an agreement to sell one of the undeveloped residential properties. e proposed hotel might finally have a partner, inch- ing closer to reality. e City will likely run another $800,000 deficit on its ballpark financing, but that's expected at this point. Cooperation between power players led to the Worcester Red Sox coming to the city in 2021, and the Canal District has changed significantly since, largely for the better. As City Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn points out, the success or failure of the financing plan isn't the main point, but part of the larger piece driving economic vitality. Even as the pressure to see progress has created new challenges, turning on each other won't help the ballpark district reach its full potential. Cooperation, one of Worces- ter's hallmarks, is what will deliver the goods. Ashley Randle The Worcester Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and commentary submissions. Please send submissions to Brad Kane, editor, at bkane@wbjournal.com. W W

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