Food and Agriculture

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 »

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today wrote to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and expressed her opposition to a USDA proposed rule that would institute work requirements for individuals who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  benefits. In her letter, Pingree noted that when the state of Maine imposed a similar policy during the… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), the co-chairs of Bipartisan Congressional Food Recovery Caucus, welcomed President Trump’s announcement that his administration will focus on food waste reduction throughout April. The president’s official message states that food waste “undermines environmental stewardship and the… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a long-time organic farmer and advocate for sustainable agriculture, has led a letter to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Gottlieb urging him to provide guidance on lawful pathways for food products containing hemp-derived CBD in interstate commerce. Read more »

Today, Congresswomen Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Connectitut) wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General and requested an investigation into reports that Coca-Cola inappropriately influenced public health policy through relationships with high-level Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials, including by pushing… Read more »

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME)—a longtime organic farmer and member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture—announced that she will regain her seat on the House Committee on Agriculture.  In Congress, Pingree has distinguished herself as a successful advocate for reforming food policies to help consumers access healthier food and to support… Read more »

During House floor debate on agriculture appropriations legislation today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree highlighted the need to reinstate funding for the USDA and FDA amid many negative impacts the shutdown is having on agriculture and families in Maine.  This week, the House is voting on a series of bipartisan appropriations bill—which had previously received overwhelming… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced HR 7330, the “Agriculture Research Integrity Act” today to block the reorganization and relocation of federal agriculture research agencies. The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), James P. McGovern(D-MA), Eleanor… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) released the following statement on USDA’s final standard for labeling genetically modified (GMO) food. The agency plans to use the lesser-known term “Bioengineered” while using a label that avoids any reference to artificial genetic alteration.   “The USDA’s plan for labeling genetically modified food is an… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is announcing her support for the 2018 Farm Bill released today and negotiated by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. The legislation contains numerous provisions that Pingree introduced and fought for to support farmers serving organic and local markets, and to reduce food waste.     She released the following statement on the… Read more »