Agricultural Commission

Mission Statement

The Halifax Agricultural Committee was established in May 2015.  The Halifax Agricultural Commission and has adopted the mission statement as follows:

"The duty of the Agricultural Commission is to represent the Town of Halifax’s Agricultural community and interests.

This commission shall serve as facilitator for encouraging the pursuit of agriculture in Halifax: promoting agricultural based economic opportunities for the Town, act as peacekeepers, advocates, educators and/or representatives for the general public and in an advisory capacity on farming issues for established Town Committees and Departments: work for the preservation of both town owned and privately owned agricultural lands: and pursuing all initiatives appropriate to creating a sustainable agricultural community."

The Agricultural Commission has drafted and had approved at town meeting a "Right to Farm" bylaw.  The purpose of this by-law is to state with emphasis the Right to Farm accorded to all citizens of the Commonwealth under Article 97 of the Constitution, and all state statutes and regulations thereunder including but not limited to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3, Paragraph 1; Chapter 90, Section 9; Chapter 111, Section 125A, and Chapter 128, Section 1A.  We the citizens of Halifax restate and republish these rights pursuant to the Town's authority conferred by Article 89 of the Articles of Amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution, (Home Rule Amendment)”.

This General By-Law encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the Town of Halifax by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and Town agencies. The By-Law applies to all jurisdictional areas within the town.  

• Download a copy of the Right-to-Farm By-Law
• Download a copy of the By-Law concerning the Agricultural Commission. (Chapter 13-19)