Maine Senate enacts Sen. Brenner bill to improve grant process for farmers

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, the Maine Senate unanimously enacted a bill from Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, to streamline the grant funding process, especially the allocation of emergency funds, for Maine farmers.

LD 782, “An Act to Support Statewide Economic Opportunities Through Strategic Investments of Property and Funds, Including Emergency Relief Funds,” would transfer the grant disbursement authority from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

“I am truly grateful to my colleagues in both the House and Senate for their support for this important legislation,” said Sen. Brenner. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers were struggling to keep their farms running. The grant programs that the state offers provided funds necessary for their survival. With this legislation, more farmers whose farms are failing, will have access to business-saving funds to remain viable. When we help farmers, we are helping all Mainers.”

Currently, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry offers several grant programs, which are administered by the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, to assist Maine farmers. These programs include the Agricultural Development Grant Program and the Maine Farms for the Future Program. Both programs aim to promote research and development in the agricultural industry by investing in Maine farms and farmers. These investments work to increase the vitality of the industry in the long term. This legislation to support strategic investments in agriculture would provide more opportunities for farmers to access these grants. 

LD 782 now goes to the Governor’s desk, where she has 10 days to either sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature.

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