Protecting Farmland with Horse Power
A Century of Vanishing Fields
Massachusetts has lost 83% of its farmland since 1920—yet one unassuming program has quietly turned the tide. The Race Horse Development Fund, born from the state’s 2008 casino law, redirects a fraction of casino revenue to breeding farms. In an era of relentless development, this fund has been a rare success story in preserving agricultural land.
The Unseen Impact: Farms That Shaped History
Despite its success, the fund barely earned a footnote in a 63-page report on farmland preservation last year. That oversight is striking when considering farms like Elm Hill Farm, operating since before the Revolutionary War. Once a cornerstone of Massachusetts’ horse-breeding legacy, it now stands as a testament to what targeted funding can achieve.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Critics argue the fund is a waste—costing less than 1% of the state’s $61 billion budget. Yet the results speak volumes:
- 2022: Only 5 foals born on state-supported farms.
- 2023: A 900% increase—45 foals.
- More farms staying open, hiring local workers, and breathing new life into rural economies.
The New Guard of Breeders
Meet the people keeping this tradition alive:
- Amy Riley, Forge Field Farm (Raynham): Bought her farm in 2017 with a single rule: no development. Today, she invests thousands monthly in feed, vet care, and barns—proving passion can outlast financial strain.
- Nogah Bust, Johnny B Farm (Plainville): A first-generation farmer raising horses, cattle, and chickens with her husband. The extra income from the fund, she says, is “hard-earned but invaluable.”
Political Battles Over Survival
While Governor Healey champions rural issues with a dedicated state office, some lawmakers still push to defund the horse program. But if the goal is preserving farmland and small businesses, this fund may be the most efficient tool Massachusetts has.
The Real Work Behind the Scenes
No glamour here—just long nights in the barn, mucking stalls, and relentless labor. Yet that’s the reality of farming: unglamorous, essential, and the only thing keeping these lands—and their history—alive.
