Farming in Maine is in transition. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, in the five years from 2012-2017, Maine lost 10 percent of its farmland and 573 farms. On the other hand, Maine has more young farmers per capita than just about any other state. Agriculture Commissioner Amanda Beal is responsible for helping grow and promote agriculture in Maine. Beal has recently been in the news pushing to extend federal aid to members of Maine’s wild blueberry industry. She’s also requested that the federal government finalize its proposed “origin of livestock” standards for organic dairy farms. We’ll discuss the other initiatives Beal is engaged with and the priorities of the Mills’ administration.
Guest
Amanda Beal, commissioner, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; former president and CEO, Maine Farmland Trust; co-author, "A New England Food Vision: Healthy Food for All, Sustainable Farming and Fishing, Thriving Communities." Beal grew up on her family's commercial dairy farm in Maine.
Resources
- USDA Census of Agriculture
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
- Maine Farmland Trust
- "New England Food Vision: Healthy Food for All, Sustainable Farming and Fishing, Thriving Communities"
- Farmland Trust Leader To Take Over As Maine Ag Commissioner
- Mills Pick To Lead Ag, Conservation And Forestry Department Clears Important Hurdle
- Maine’s New Ag Commissioner Seeks to Develop a Robust Regional Food Economy
- Maine Lawmakers Consider Breaking Up The Department Agriculture, Conservation And Forestry
- Maine Farmers Fear Trickle-Down From Chinese Tariffs
- Maine calls for USDA to provide more support for blueberries
- Trade Retaliation Program Unlikely To Help Maine's Blueberry Growers
- Mills: 'Origin of livestock' rule needed to maintain organic dairy markets
- Experts Predict Another Challenging Year For Dairy Farmers
- Farmers Can Sign Up For Dairy Insurance Starting June 17
- Maine’s innovative dairy program keeping industry alive
- Maine Farmers Losing Crops In The Field As Farmhand Jobs Go Unfilled