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Food and Agriculture

Responding to Rep. Pingree’s Request, GAO Says More Can Be Done to Boost Climate Resilience in Agriculture

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today welcomed a long-awaited report she requested from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to assess agriculture’s role in fighting climate change. The report, released on Thursday, recommends 13 measures the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could implement to enhance farmers’ climate resilience and limit federal…

In Farm Bill Year, Pingree Rejoins Agriculture Committee, Pledges to Fight for Mainers

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Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was reappointed by her Democratic colleagues to the House Agriculture Committee today, a committee assignment that will be vital in supporting Mainers as Congress crafts the 2023 Farm Bill.  “I’m grateful to my Democratic colleagues for once again electing me to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. As the only committee…

Pingree, Baird, Thune, Brown Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities

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cows and farmer

U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) plan to reintroduce legislation to support small meat and poultry processors. The bipartisan, bicameral Strengthening Local Processing Act will diversify and make the U.S. meat processing more resilient by giving local livestock…

King, Pingree Urge Biden Administration to Protect Maine’s Forest Economy by Cracking Down on Illegal Wood Imports

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U.S. Senator Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree are calling on the Biden administration to stop illegal wood imports that harm Maine’s forest products industry. In a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, the Maine lawmakers highlight the importance of taking on the illegal wood trade, call attention to the slow enforcement of existing laws, and urge rapid…

Pingree Welcomes Long-Awaited USDA Action to Protect Integrity of the Certified Organic Label

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule, which protects integrity in the organic supply chain and builds consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, and providing stronger enforcement…

Collins, King, Pingree Announce $250,000 Investment to Strengthen Maine’s Organic Farm Production

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Apple Creek Farm

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Congresswoman-elect Chellie Pingree today welcomed a $250,000 federal investment to strengthen Maine’s organic food supply chain and support independent organic producers. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program funding will help Apple Creek Farm LLC, an organic farm in…

King, Golden Led Downeast National Heritage Area Legislation Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk

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Today, U.S. Senator Angus King, Chairman of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, and Representative Jared Golden announced that their bipartisan, bicameral bill to designate a Downeast Maine National Heritage Area has passed Congress and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins and Representative Chellie…

Pingree Secures $1 Million for Preble Street Food Security Hub

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Preble Street Food Security Hub

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced $1 million in Community Project Funding to address hunger in Southern Maine. Secured as one of 15 projects submitted by Pingree in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill, Preble Street will use the federal funding to support its Food Security Hub in South Portland, helping those facing hunger and homelessness. This Food…

Pingree Secures $5 Million to Aid PFAS-Impacted Farmers

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cows on maine farm

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, today celebrated final passage of the government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2023 which directs the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to dedicate $5 million to assist farmers whose land has been contaminated by PFAS or “forever chemicals”. As Chair of the…

Pingree Touts $20 Million from Inflation Reduction Act to Support Solar Projects in Rural Maine

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced $20 million for solar projects in Maine’s First Congressional District, made possible through the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The projects in Gorham and South Berwick are expected to produce more than 16,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of combined electricity in their first full year of operation, and will create good…

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