Blog Posts

Maine – 2017 Agriculture Census   Total farms: 7,600 (2017), 8,173 (2012)   Land in farms: 1,307,613 (2017), 1,454,104 (2012)   Average size of farm: 172 (2017), 178 (2012)   Certified organic farms: 535 (2017), 457 (2012) Acres transitioning into certified organic production: 56 (2017), 65 (2012)   Milk cows (number of farms): 450 (2017), 581… Read more »

President Trump's insistence on $5.7 billion in funding for an ineffective, wasteful border wall with Mexico has led to a partial government shutdown. I am working in the House to pass the appropriations bills we need to reopen government so we can have a meaninful debate on immigration and border security. This pointless shutdown is terrible for 800,000 public servants, the… Read more »

Joining SidexSide in Portland for an exciting federal grant announcement to support arts-based education in local schools. Read more »

Great morning spent in Waterville, talking with local organizations investing in the community's arts and creative economy. Amazing to see what's gone on here in last few years! Read more »

UPDATE: Read the bipartisan letter sent to the Farm Bill conferees in support of including LAMP in final legislation. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), local food was a $8.7 billion market for farmers in 2015.  This market does not show signs of slowing down, as USDA estimates that the local food market will reach $20 billion in sales by 2019.… Read more »

I'm happy to report that many rural, nutrition, and agriculture programs important to Maine saw funding increases in the FY2018 Omnibus Appropriations legislation that was signed on March 23 and funds the federal government through September 30, 2018. Since President Trump suggested severely cutting or even eliminating funding for many of these programs in his budget proposal, it's very… Read more »

The last year has certainly been one of the most eventful—if not the most eventful—of my time in Congress. The presidency of Donald Trump has taken our country in new and frightening directions, making my work in Congress all the more important.  Throughout, I've been focused on how policy decisions in Washington and events around the nation and world impact the lives of… Read more »

The following is a piece distributed to local newspapers in November 2017 Earlier this month, I sat down with a group of Mainers who would be negatively impacted by the House Republicans’ tax plan. Among them were a teacher, a cancer survivor, a recent college graduate, and a dairy farmer, who all told me how the plan would hurt them and their families. It was for them—and… Read more »

"Working waterfronts are an integral part of the nation's coastal and Great Lakes economy and culture. Working waterfronts face multiple challenges, including permanent conversion to non-water-dependent uses and storm damage to already compromised waterfront infrastructure. Businesses that depend on working waterfront, from commercial fishermen to tour boat operators to waterborne trade,… Read more »

During debate of a package of Appropriations Bills in the House of Representatives on July 26, 2017, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree spoke out in support of issues important to Maine.  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Funding Waterpower and Alternative Energy Programs Ocean Planning Read more »