Powering Massachusetts Agriculture: Climate & Energy Solutions
A climate-ready future includes our farms, our food, and the energy that powers them. The Massachusetts Farm Energy Program (MFEP) has supported hundreds of farms across the Commonwealth in reducing energy use and investing in renewable technologies, from high-efficiency cooling systems to on-site solar. Yet the true impact of this work goes far beyond the numbers. It lives in the stories of farmers who are finding new ways to sustain their operations, steward their land, and feed their communities.
As Massachusetts advances its climate goals, farms sit at the intersection of resilience, sustainability, and local food systems. This panel, featuring the CET, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and key partners, will explore how programs like MFEP, alongside federal opportunities such as REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) and CSAP (Climate Smart Agriculture Program) grants, are unlocking critical investments in farm energy.
Through firsthand perspectives and cross-sector insights, speakers will highlight how energy efficiency and renewable energy are not just cost-saving measures, but powerful tools to strengthen farm viability, reduce emissions, and preserve working lands. Together, we will explore what it takes to scale these solutions, expand access for diverse and underserved farmers, and ensure that Massachusetts farms remain a cornerstone of a more equitable and climate-ready future.
Speakers
Climate Chief Hoffer - Moderator
Speaker bio coming soon!
Ashley Randle, Commissioner - MDAR
Ashley E. Randle was appointed the twenty-first and first female Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) on March 6, 2023.
Ashley was born and raised on a fifth-generation dairy farm, Indian Acres, in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, where her passion for agriculture and advocacy was first sparked. Ashley obtained her B.S. in Applied Economics & Management and Animal Science from Cornell University in 2011, and her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2014. She is a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Upon graduating from law school in 2014, she launched her career in government with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, tasked with the research and development of a sustainable recognition program for the Maine farming community. Prior to joining the MDAR team, Ashley worked for the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) and served as Member Services Director, engaging in public policy work for the dairy industry and building relationships among industry members. Ashley began her career at MDAR in 2018, serving as Deputy Commissioner/Legislative and Policy Director.
Ashley currently serves as the President of the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA) and Secretary/Treasurer for Food Export-Northeast. She resides in Sterling, MA with her husband and remains actively involved in the dairy industry.
Karina Gaft-Azcue, Energy Portfolio Specialist - CET
Karina Gaft-Azcue is the Energy Portfolio Strategist at CET, where she leads strategic growth and innovation across a portfolio of Residential and Commercial programs across Southern New England. Her work focuses on expanding access to energy efficiency and decarbonization solutions, particularly for underserved communities, including farms and rural businesses.
Karina previously managed CET’s Commercial Energy portfolio and led the Massachusetts Farm Energy Program, funded by MDAR and USDA, where she worked directly with farmers across the Commonwealth to reduce energy costs and implement climate-smart technologies.
She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability from Harvard, along with a certification in Environmental Law and Policy.
Karina lives in the Berkshires and can often be found exploring the many farms that make Western Massachusetts so special.
David Dumaresq
Speaker bio coming soon!
Anne Gobi
Speaker bio coming soon!
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of Boston Climate Week.