BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently announced $3.6 million in more than 100 grant awards through several programs, including the Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program, the Agricultural Composting Improvement Program, the Cranberry Bog Renovation Program, and the Climate Smart Agriculture Program.

These grants, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, provide funding to local farmers. The funding supports farmers in meeting strict food-safety standards, improving soil health and management through composting, sustaining cranberry-growing operations, and adapting to changing climate conditions. It also enhances their contributions to the state’s carbon reduction and climate change mitigation goals.

“Our farmers face countless challenges, so it’s critical that we support them with the resources they need to succeed,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “These four programs help ensure a safe, local food supply, grown by dedicated farmers who prioritize sustainability, providing us all with healthy, responsibly produced food.”

State Sen. Jo Comerford added that, “once again, the Healey-Driscoll administration, in partnership with the Legislature and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is delivering timely and meaningful grants to farms and farmers in the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. Our farmers work tirelessly to provide healthy, local products to residents across Massachusetts and need strategic state investments like these grants to support their work to rise to the challenges of climate change and economic volatility.”

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has been notified that several Massachusetts residents have received unsolicited packages that appear to have originated in a foreign country and contain seeds. While the exact types of seeds in the packages are unknown, the seeds are thought to be invasive plant species that — while not believed to be harmful to humans or pets — could pose a significant risk to agriculture or the environment.

MDAR encourages Massachusetts residents that receive or have received an unsolicited package of seeds to not plant the seeds and immediately complete a form on MDAR’s website to provide information to state plant regulatory officials.

Residents that receive a package should hold on to the seeds and all packaging, including the mailing label. A representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or MDAR will be in contact with instructions regarding the collection or disposal of the seeds.

Invasive plant species can threaten the integrity of local ecosystems and displace native plants, including rare and endangered species. The most effective approach to mitigating the risk of invasive plant infestation is to take steps to ensure they are not planted.

Unsolicited packages of seeds have been received by people in several other states across the U.S. over the last several days. On July 28, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a press release announcing it is working with state plant regulatory officials to investigate the situation. The USDA urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their state plant regulatory official or plant health director.