Sen. Brenner introduces legislation to protect Maine's farmland
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee held a public hearing of a bill from Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough. LD 579, “An Act to Support Farmland Conservation,” would establish a position to administer the Working Farmland Access and Protection Program and support the program.
“The intent here is to make an incremental adjustment to the Working Farmland Access and Protection Program, build the Department’s capacity to streamline rulemaking and support the administration of the program going forward” said Sen. Brenner. “It’s important to provide space for viable agricultural businesses to grow and for farmers to get access to land to expand their businesses.”
LD 579 would add staffing capacity and greater flexibility in the Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. It would help Maine make significant strides in increasing farmland conservation. It would allow Maine to build a more robust, equitable and resilient agricultural economy.
“Maine has the most agricultural land of any of the six New England states,” said Chelsea Gazillo, Policy Manager at American Farmland Trust. “Currently, Maine has protected less than five percent of the state’s farmland. Without adequate tools for additional farmland protection efforts, according to American Farmland Trust’s Farms Under Threat 2040, an estimated 53,000 acres of Maine’s farmland will be lost for development in the next 17 years.”
“Protecting farmland through a conservation easement keeps land available for agricultural use and creates more affordable access to farmland for both new and established farmers,” stated Shelley Megquier, Policy and Research Director at Maine Farmland Trust. “Conservation is critical to ensure that we have the land base needed to grow our agricultural economy, strengthen food security, and build resilience to climate change for our state and communities.”
LD 579 was voted Ought to Pass as Amended with a unanimous vote. LD 579 now faces further action in committee.
