State Request For Statements of Interest

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
E X EC U TIV E OF FIC E OF E N ER GY AN D E N V IR O N M EN TA L AFFA IR S
Department of Agricultural Resources

251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1700 fax: 617-626-1850 www.mass.gov/agr
CHARLES D. BAKER
Governor
KARYN E. POLITO
Lt. Governor
MATTHEW A. BEATON
Secretary
JOHN LEBEAUX
Commissioner
Request for Statements of Interest

Submission due date: July 2, 2015
Contact:
Gerard Kennedy
Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-626-1773
Fax: 617-626-1850
Email: [email protected]
PURPOSE
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is the holder of an Agricultural

Preservation Restriction ("APR") on 32 acres of land in Hadley, MA. The APR was recorded on July 1,
1998 at the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds in Book 5419, Page 269. As part of the APR, MDAR
retains an Option to Purchase Real Estate at Agricultural Value a/k/a Option to Purchase at Agricultural
Value (the Option) when the land is transferred. As part of the assessment process for exercising or
assigning the offer received under the Option, MDAR is seeking a Statement of Interest from
individuals or entities who are qualified and capable of accepting an assignment of the offer. MDAR
received an offer to purchase the below described farmland in Hadley, MA for $305,000.00. This offer
price is based upon a real estate appraisal of the agricultural value of the land.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Approximately 32 acres of primarily "prime" soil land (no structures) in Hadley, Massachusetts situated
on Spruce Hill Road.
SUBMISSION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS
As part of the assessment process in identifying an acceptable person or entity, a/k/a potential assignee
(Potential Assignee), and in considering whether to exercise and assign the offer, MDAR is seeking a
formal Statements of Interest from Potential Assignees. Potential Assignees are encouraged to review
MDAR Guidelines - Assignment of the Department's Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value prior to
preparing a submission. The Statement of Interest must contain, at a minimum, all of the following
documents:
I.
General Information:
(Must include the below information in narrative form)
Potential Assignee's legal name and address

o If the entity is a corporation or limited liability company, MDAR must be
provided the articles of incorporation demonstrating the corporation was formed
for the purpose of operating a Farm; or
o If the entity is a partnership, MDAR must be provided partnership agreement
which evidences partnership was formed for the purpose of owning and operating
a Farm.
All the below information must be provided, if applicable:

Whether Potential Assignee has historically leased, but not owned, agricultural land (I.E.
whether this would be a first time purchase of agricultural land).
Whether the Potential Assignee leases or owns other agricultural land and the distance
from the Premises that land is located. Must specify the address of other agricultural land.
All other lands the Potential Assignee currently owns that are subject to an APR.
The Potential Assignee's number of Farm acres currently under production.
II.
Financial Statement
Financial Statement must demonstrate the Potential Assignee's ability to pay $305,000.00
and close within 120 days from MDAR's notice of intent to exercise. Specifically,
o If purchasing with 100% cash funds, proof of satisfactory availability of funds, or
o If obtaining financing, must provide letter of commitment for financing and satisfactory
proof of ability to additional funds required for purchase price
III.
Farmer Resume
IV.
Farmer Resume is a brief account of the Potential Assignee's professional farm

experience and qualifications.
Farm Plan
Farm Plan must be sufficient to demonstrate the Premises will be utilized to the fullest
extent possible for commercial agriculture. The Farm Plan is a narrative that includes, at
a minimum, how the Premises will be utilized to the fullest extent possible for
commercial agriculture for a five (5) year period including, but is not limited to, the
following: identification of all land uses on the Farm, crops to be grown, acreage for
each crop, livestock to be raised, pasture acreage, use of existing structures on Premises
(if applicable), and need for additional structures (if applicable) and timeline for
implementation of the plan. The narrative shall include a map or diagram identifying
each land use proposed for the Farm.
o if the Potential Assignee owned or operated a Farm previously, the Farm Plan
must additionally include the size of the farming operation (acreage and gross
income), and number of years in business; or
o if the Potential Assignee is a New Entry Farmer (a Farmer who has less than two
years experience managing or owning a Farm):
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the Farm Plan must list relevant degrees, courses, workshops, education
and training, and a Financial Plan must be provided. The Financial Plan
whether narrative or otherwise, must demonstrates the Potential Purchaser
can support the operation of the Premises without adversely affecting long
term viability of the Premises. Such a plan should, at a minimum, include:
a net worth statement, an estimate of start-up costs, identification of costs
of production, gross sales and net farm income, and income & expense
projections for at least three years; or
o if the Potential Assignee intends to lease the Premises to a Farmer or New Entry
Farmer:
a proposed lease agreement or letter of intent with a Farmer or New Entry
Farmer must be provided and
the above referenced Farm Plan and Farmer Resume must be prepared by
the Farmer or New Entry Farmer.
MDAR may request additional information from any Potential Assignee.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION AND DEADLINE
Statements of Interest must be received by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
no later than 5
delivery to:
PM on July 2, 2015. Please submit all materials via mail, email or hand
Dorothy Du
Department of Agricultural Resources
Suite 500
251 Causeway Street
Boston, MA02114
[email protected]
Envelopes shall be marked in the lower left-hand corner with the following: Statement of Interest for
APR Land in Hadley, MA
Potential Assignee's are cautioned to allow sufficient time for their Statement of Interest to be received by
MDAR. Electronic or facsimile Statement of Interest are acceptable provided that the complete packet
together with any attachments is successfully received by MDAR prior to 5 PM on July 2, 2015.
SELECTION CRITERIA
MDAR will evaluate each Potential Assignees Statement of Interest to accept an assignment of the
Commonwealths offer to purchase the APR property for $305,000 based on MDAR's Agricultural
Preservation Restriction Program Guidelines, Assignment of the Department's Option to Purchase at
Agricultural Value.
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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

E X EC U TIV E OF FIC E OF E N ER GY AN D E N V IR O N M EN TA L AFFA IR S

Department of Agricultural Resources

Request for Statements of Interest

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is the holder of an Agricultural

Potential Assignee's legal name and address

All the below information must be provided, if applicable:

Farmer Resume is a brief account of the Potential Assignee's professional farm

MDAR may request additional information from any Potential Assignee.

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