Democratic Gov. Janet Mills' pick to lead the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry moved one step closer to confirmation Thursday after receiving unanimous approval by a legislative committee.
Amanda Beal, the former executive director of Maine Farmland Trust, received support from an array of interest groups during her confirmation hearing, including dairy and organic farmers, conservation groups, the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and the Maine Forest Products Council.
Some groups originally raised questions about Beal's expertise, but several said they were persuaded after meeting her that she would be receptive to their concerns.
Beal, the daughter of a dairy farmer, became the director of Maine Farmland Trust in 2015. The organization boasts having conserved tens of thousands of acres that could have been developed for other purposes.
Beal's nomination — the last of the governor's 14 cabinet picks — now moves to the state Senate for a final vote.
