Sen. Hickman introduces bipartisan legislation to enhance competitive and educational offerings at Maine’s agricultural fairs
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, April 1, Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the roster of events and competitions eligible to be included in stipend apportionment for Maine agricultural fairs. LD 1213, “An Act to Allow the Premiums and Gratuities Paid for Any Agricultural Events Approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to Be Considered in Apportionment of Stipends to Agricultural Fairs,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
“As an organic farmer, I am proud to be a part of Maine’s rich agricultural history and culture, including our robust schedule of agricultural fairs,” said Sen. Hickman. “Farmers and food producers are innovative, creative and competitive. We might envision a new competition, exhibit or event for an agricultural fair that is not included in the current stipend statute. LD 1213 will allow compensation for this creativity. We must invest in our agricultural competitions and educational events that help Maine people get to know their farmers and increase their ability to take care of themselves.”
LD 1213 ensures that any other agricultural competition not explicitly listed in Title 7, section 86, but that is approved beforehand by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may be considered in the apportionment of stipends to the relevant agricultural fairs. This will allow new events added to fair rosters to be included in stipend apportionment without needing to change the statute each time.
This bill received support from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, as well as multiple Maine agricultural organizations, including the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).
“Currently, the stipend statute is focused on the betterment of agriculture through competition … at Maine’s agricultural fairs,” said April Boucher, Director for the Common Ground Country Fair, which is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, in her testimony in support of the bill. “By adding educational opportunities, this would allow fairs to sustain their current offerings and expand to support the interest of our communities and the public. This will also support local educators and would facilitate experts outside the state sharing their knowledge. This in turn will help our communities become more resilient and help maximize the amazing resource that agricultural fairs are to our communities both near and far.”
LD 1213 faces further action in the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
Sen. Hickman is an organic farmer from Winthrop who serves on the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board. He represents Maine Senate District 14, which includes Chelsea, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Wayne, West Gardiner and Winthrop.
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