Press Releases
Pingree Announces Over $1 million in Federal Grants for Maine Farmer Training and Support
Portland, ME,
October 3, 2018
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced today that Maine organizations will receive more than $1 million in funding from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to recruit and train beginning farmers as well as assist farmers with chronic health issues and disabilities. Grants will go to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Somali Bantu Community Association of Lewiston Maine, and University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “To continue the great success we’ve had with Maine’s agricultural revitalization, it’s critical that we recruit new people into farming and help them succeed. These funded programs will ensure that a wide range of Maine farmers have access to training and support, which is why I remain a strong advocate for them in Congress,” Pingree said. “As the first person to go through MOFGA’s apprenticeship program, I can personally speak to how important that experience was in my early days of farming—I’m excited for how this grant will strengthen and expand those efforts at the organization. Funds for the Somali Bantu Community Association will help New Mainers transplant their agricultural roots into Maine soil, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will receive support to bring adaptive technologies and strategies to Maine farmers who deal with disabilities and chronic disease. My congratulations and thanks to all three organizations on using this funding to support Maine farming.” On the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Pingree has been a strong advocate for USDA NIFA programs. Grant details contained in links. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Somali Bantu Community Association of Lewiston Maine University of Maine Cooperative Extension |