Sen. Hickman appointed to Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board
AUGUSTA — Today, Senator Craig Hickman of Winthrop was sworn in to serve on the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board. He will serve on the Board in his capacity as an organic farmer at Annabessacook Farm in Winthrop. Sen. Hickman was sworn in by Andrew E. Silsby of Winthrop, who is a certified dedimus justice and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kennebec Savings Bank. Sen. Hickman was appointed to the Board on Dec. 12, 2024, by Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson. His term will be for three years, after which he will be eligible for reappointment to a second consecutive term.
“I moved to Maine to become a farmer, and organic farming is central to who I am,” said Sen. Craig Hickman. “Over the past twenty years, I have grown as a person and as a farmer while growing everything from tomatoes to my favorite vegetable, okra. I have also watched with excitement as organic farms have sprouted and grown throughout Maine. Despite this progress, our agriculture, food and forestry industries face many challenges, so I am looking forward to helping direct resources to create and fortify resilient local and regional food systems through my service on the Board.”
The Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board is a body created by the Maine Legislature to oversee and direct the investments of the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund. This fund was created to strengthen the State’s agricultural, food and forest products economy by making strategic investments in infrastructure to add value to Maine’s raw commodities and increase access to new markets for these industries. The fund’s designated priority is making its efforts more inclusive of and increasing investments in historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities, including rural communities, low-income communities and communities of color that typically lack access to capital to start, sustain, scale, and innovate businesses. The fund was allocated $500,000 for the 2024-45 year to carry out this work.
Annabessacook Farm is a 20-acre organic farm on Annabessacook Lake in Winthrop, which is owned and run by Sen. Hickman and his husband, Jop Blom. It focuses on producing organic vegetables and eggs, which are sold from a roadside farmstand and directly to local restaurants. Annabessacook Farm also hosts a Bed and Breakfast for people to stay at the farm and eat its produce, typically prepared by Sen. Hickman.
The Board will host an introductory session on the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund at the Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center on January 14, 2025, from 3 to 4 p.m. This meeting will be open to the public.
Sen. Hickman represents Maine Senate District 14, which includes Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop.
Kennebec Savings Bank President and CEO Andrew E. Silsby administering the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board oath of office to Senator Craig Hickman of Winthrop at Kennebec Savings Bank Headquarters in Augusta
Kennebec Savings Bank President and CEO Andrew E. Silsby with Senator Craig Hickman of Winthrop at Kennebec Savings Bank Headquarters in Augusta following Sen. Hickman’s swearing-in to the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board
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