THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS Department of Agricultural Resources 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114   DEVAL L. PATRICK                                                                                                              IAN A. BOWLES Governor                                                                                                                                Secretary TIMOTHY P. MURRAY                                                                                                    DOUGLAS W. PETERSEN Lieutenant Governor                                                                                                                  Commissioner FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     Contact:            Anna Waclawiczek Date: May 2, 2008                                                   (617) 626-1703 The “AG Tag” Kicks in to High Drive for Spring To access plate order form click on plate   BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced today the launch of its “Ag Tag” spring kick-off campaign with the goal to have 1500 plates reserved by August. If the target goal is made, the agriculture specialty license plate will take its place alongside sixteen other plates currently offered by the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Proceeds from the plates will go to the Massachusetts Agriculture Trust Fund in support of innovative programs to further the sustainability and vibrancy of the agricultural community. The “Ag Tag” recently received a mini make-over that features the new tagline “Go Locally Grown!” The change was made to better capture the exponential interest in buy local initiatives throughout the state. MDAR is currently updating brochures, its website information, and is planning an aggressive campaign this summer to work with commodity groups and local farmers’ markets to promote the plate. “The Ag Tag is a moving bill board seen by thousands of drivers every day. It’s an excellent way to positively brand the Massachusetts agricultural community,” said Commissioner Doug Petersen. The initial cost to transfer registration to an “Ag Tag” is $40. There is an additional $20 exchange fee when the actual plate is picked up from the RMV. Renewals are $81 every two years ($41 RMV registration fee and $40 for the specialty plate fee that continues to go to the Trust Fund). A reservation form can be downloaded at http://www.mass.gov/agr/agtag/index.htm. Anna Waclawiczek, who joined MDAR in March as Deputy Chief-of-Staff, is spearheading the “Ag Tag” launch. “With so much enthusiasm out there for the locally grown movement, we think this plate will resonate very well and is a great medium to build awareness around the wonderful product offerings of our Massachusetts farmers.” For more information on the “Ag Tag”, contact Anna Waclawiczek at 617.626.1703 or Anna.Waclawiczek@state.ma.us