AUGUSTA — Commissioner Walter Whitcomb announced 11 Agricultural Development Grant Program awards totaling over $422,855 at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show recently. The preliminary selections were chosen by a review committee from 47 proposals submitted in response to a formal Request For Proposals (RFP) in November. The projects address needs in the agricultural industry for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.
Local projects have been identified as:
• Aurora Mills & Farm LLC (Linneus) – Establishing Cover Crop Seed Cleaning Capability inside the state of Maine, with associated demonstration of growing practices.
• Buck Farms (Mapleton) – Maine Malt House.
“The last census of Agriculture found that the market value of Maine agricultural products has increased 24 percent,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “The awards announced today will allow Maine agriculture to continue its momentum by helping farmers and producers realize their full economic potential to supply consumers in Maine, New England and beyond. The investments being announced today support job creators and continued growth of our natural resource economy.”
Commissioner Walt Whitcomb highlighted the efforts of the review committee and its careful selection of projects from dozens of competitive applications.
“Selected proposals incorporated one or more of four priorities: market development for the processing of animals/livestock throughout Maine; improved utilization and profitability of Maine grown grains; market enhancements for nutrition and/or food safety; and projects that focus on alternative markets or diversification,” said Whitcomb. “The selection committee was charged with identifying projects that can start immediately upon acceptance.”
Out of the total 47 proposals received and reviewed by a committee in the competitive review process, 11 projects have been tentatively identified pending approval by the Maine Purchases Division and the successful completion of a Maine contract.
Agricultural Development Grant Program
In 2014, the Legislature approved Department language that improved access to the Agricultural Development Fund. The Department identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may allocate the grant funds among projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of state agricultural products.
