MA H121

Establishes the "Vacant Lots to Urban Agriculture Fund" administered by the Department of Agricultural Resources to convert vacant lots into farms, community gardens, and agricultural enterprises in environmental justice populations in cities

Defines "vacant lot" as property not actively used or occupied within the preceding one year, including abandoned, empty, foreclosed, and underutilized spaces (excludes properties under renovation due to fire or casualty)

Fund sources include legislative appropriations, interest earned, and public/private gifts, grants, and donations; remaining balances do not revert to the General Fund at fiscal year end

Grants may be awarded for urban farming plans, pilot programs in environmental justice communities, transitioning tax lien properties foreclosed before 2021 to agricultural use, purchasing private parcels, land renovation and infrastructure, startup costs, and conservation easements

Priority given to projects supporting agricultural education, job training, food donation to food insecure residents, and public engagement; commissioner must file annual reports to legislative committees on applicants, recipients, and environmental justice block groups served