MA Students Speak To Legislature To Make Asparagus Official State Vegetable

HADLEY, MA — Students from a Massachusetts elementary school brought their case for asparagus to the state legislature last Wednesday as part of a school effort tying local agriculture to civic engagement.

The push centers on Bill H.5088, “An Act designating asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth,” which was filed by Rep. Homar Gómez of Easthampton and referred to the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, according to the Massachusetts Legislature’s website. A joint hearing on the bill was scheduled for May 20, 2026, according to the same source.

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Hadley Elementary Principal Jennifer Dowd said students and staff were proud to share the town’s farming history with lawmakers.

“Today I stand alongside our incredible students and staff who are honored to share our rich agricultural history and pride and importance of Hadley grass and asparagus farming in our community,” Dowd said. “For generations, asparagus has been more than a crop in Western Massachusetts; it has represented hard work, tradition, family farming, and community pride.”

The push grew out of work by Hadley Elementary third graders, who have been learning about local agriculture, Massachusetts history and how the legislative process works. Two students, Ava and Benny, come from local asparagus-farming families, according to the information provided.

Sen. Jo Comerford’s office says the bill was filed at the request of Hadley Elementary third-graders and their teacher and describes it as a way for students to take part in civic life. State House News Service, in a report published by WBUR, said the idea began after the students invited lawmakers and local officials to hear their presentation on asparagus and Hadley’s agricultural history.

Asparagus has long been tied to Hadley’s identity. State House News Service reported that the crop is widely known as “Hadley grass,” and that Hadley was once known for the quantity and quality of asparagus grown there. The same report said there were 175 asparagus farms in Massachusetts and 215 harvested acres in 2022, citing U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Dowd said the students’ work reflects more than a lesson about one crop. It is also about showing children how local history, farming and government connect in their own community.

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