Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
The 112th Legislature enacted the Maine Agricultural
Viability Act of 1985. (Chapter 482 Public Laws,
7 M.R.S.A.
§§311
et seq.) The
113th Legislature, in an Act to continue the Agriculture Viability Program, Ch.
424, Public Laws, removed the pilot stratus and authorized the Commissioner to
set up selected new Ag-Viability regions.
The act envisions a coordinated, orderly process with
prescribed responsibilities for the Commissioner, the State Department of
Agriculture and the local lead agencies (LLA) designated by the Commissioner to
conduct the program, described in these rules, on the local level.
A.
Purpose of the Agricultural
Viability Program
The purpose of the program is to establish a process by
which:
(a) farmers/farm
organizations/agencies in a defined region can evaluate the agricultural
resources, problems and needs in general and the potential of specific
agricultural commodities of their choice in that region.
(b) farmers/farm organizations/agencies on
the local level can seek to redirect state programs to meet regional needs as
identified in the regional assessment.
(c) farmers/farm organizations/agencies at
their own initiative can affect changes to maximize opportunities which enhance
the viability of agriculture.
B.
Description of the Program
The Agricultural Viability Program consists of the following
elements:
1. a coordinated assessment
of agricultural opportunities on the state and substate, level.
2. guidance and direction to the Commissioner
in redirecting the programs and services of the Department.
3. implementation through delivery of the
programs and services in accordance with the local assessments.
4. assurance that the agricultural community
and the public be given ample opportunity to participate in the
process.
5. a state level Advisory
Committee composed of a representative named by each of the following
organizations: Maine Farm Bureau, Maine State Grange, National Farm
Organization, Maine Small Farm Association, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners
Association and Maine Association of Conservation Districts. The chairman of
the Soil & Water Conservation Commission shall serve ex-officio. The
Committee shall advise the Commissioner in the development, conduct and
implementation of the program.
