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Food and Agriculture

US Reps. Pingree, Stefanik Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Invest in Climate-Forward Forestry Practices

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y) today introduced the Rural Forest Markets Act, bipartisan legislation to help small-scale, family forest owners access new economic opportunities and develop solutions to mitigate the climate crisis. “As we grapple with the effects of climate change, companies…

In Bicameral Letter, Pingree, Spanberger, Heinrich, Booker Lead Call for Investment in Agriculture as a Climate Solution

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-NJ), Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) today led 30 of their colleagues in a letter urging House and Senate leadership to support a historic, long-term investment in farmers, ranchers, and rural communities as a part of upcoming infrastructure and climate…

Video Recap: Rep. Pingree Asks USDA Officials to Address Trump-Era OIG Report on Climate Change Research

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In a House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) asked Acting U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young how the REE mission area is coordinating climate change research…

On Earth Day, Rep. Pingree & Senator Heinrich Reintroduce Agriculture Resilience Act

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), alongside Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) and 16 of her House colleagues today reintroduced the bicameral Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA). This bold, comprehensive legislation sets a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions from agriculture by 2040 and empowers farmers with the tools and resources needed to improve soil health,…

VIDEO RECAP: Pingree Participates in Agriculture Appropriations Hearing with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) questioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plans to address climate change and PFAS contamination, as well as the status of organic rules.  A video of today’s full Subcommittee hearing is available for viewing here. “I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s understanding of the importance of…

Pingree Celebrates USDA’s New Pandemic Assistance for Producers

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In reaction to the news of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today released the following statement: “Small-scale producers bore the brunt of supply chain changes and pandemic-related losses in agriculture, and yet, they received inadequate support from the previous Department of…

Pingree, Fortenberry, Thune, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Expand & Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), joined by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support small meat and poultry processors. The Strengthening Local Processing Act will increase options for local livestock and poultry producers and assist smaller facilities as…

Pingree Backs Bill to Provide Targeted Pandemic Relief to Maine’s Small Farmers

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Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) cosponsored the Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act, also known as the Local Farmer Act, introduced by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, (D-N.C.). The Local Farmer Act would help the farmers, farms, and families hardest hit by COVID-19 by targeting aid directly to local and regional food producers and markets as they…

Pingree, McGovern, Walorski Raise Awareness of Global Food Insecurity on World Food Day

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Each year, the United States joins 150 nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in celebrating World Food Day to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from chronic hunger and all forms of malnutrition.  Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)—co-chairs of the House Food Recovery Caucus—as well as…

Reps. Omar, Pingree Lead Letter Urging USDA to Extend School Meal Waivers Through the 2020-2021 School Year

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Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to extend school meal waivers for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year.  “[We] urge the Department of Agriculture (Department) to act swiftly to ensure children have access to nutritious meals through the current school…

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