Dear Horse Owner/Equestrian Facility Operator,
The Equine Committee of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation is undertaking a study to assess the impact of the equine industry in the state of Massachusetts, to be conducted by Farm Credit East. Funding has been raised by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau, and comes from the generous support of such organizations as the Bay State Trail Riders Association, the Hanover Hunt and Riding Club,
Massachusetts Horse magazine, the Massachusetts Horsemen’s Council, the Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association, the Western New England Professional Horseman’s Association, and UPHA Chapter 14, along with a variety of private donors. No public funds are being used to pay for the study.
A questionnaire that requests some financial information is part of the study. It’s important for everyone to complete the questionnaire as accurately as possible. Farm Credit East will summarize the data obtained from it for the Equine Committee so that its members can produce informational brochures for the Massachusetts equestrian community that will help in lobbying state government on behalf of equine owners and stable operators. We would like to emphasize that the financial information will be kept confidential and will be retained by Farm Credit East. It will not be available to anyone else, including state or local officials, the Farm Bureau, Farm Credit East, or the Equine Committee.
The purpose of this study is to help the equestrian community understand the value of the Massachusetts equine industry, and gather important data to help in lobbying on your behalf. We need your help and participation!
Chance to Win! By participating in this survey, you'll be entered to win one grand prize $500 SmartPak gift certificate or five $100 SmartPak gift certificates! Surveys are due April 30, 2016. Prize drawing will be held May 1, 2016.
To print out a paper version of this questionnaire to review, please click
here.
If you have any questions, please contact Douglas P. Gillespie, Massachusetts Farm Bureau
Executive Director, at (508) 481-4766 or email doug@mfbf.net.