U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, today announced that she has successfully secured
$4.39 million in agriculture funding for projects in Maine. The funds are
included in the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations spending bill
which was approved late today by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 80-17.
“Each of these projects is important to sustaining and enhancing Maine’s
agriculture industry, which is a vital component of the state’s economy,” said
Senator Collins. “I am particularly pleased that the bill enhances
Aroostook County’s access to federal economic enhancement funding.”
In addition, the Senate Agriculture Appropriations bill contains a provision,
cosponsored by Senator Collins, that would provide the U.S. Department of
Agriculture with $350 million in additional funds to help enable it to increase
the level of which the federal government purchases surplus dairy products off
of the market. This increase will have an immediate effect upon dairy
farmers' bottom line by increasing the price that all dairy farmers receive for
their milk.
The funding for Maine projects is as follows:
- $450,000 for the University of Maine
Cooperative Extension Service, Potato Integrated Pest Management Late
Blight program. The purpose of this program is to provide Maine
potato growers with current information on specific and timely treatments
in order to minimize the number of pesticide applications and maximize
potato yield. This early disease identification program has provided
more than $17 million in savings during the 2007 crop
year.
- $700,000 for the Maine Department of
Agriculture for Maine Cattle Health Assurance Program. The Maine
Cattle Health Assurance Program, started in 2001 with private grant
funding and expanded in 2003 with USDA/APHIS Johne’s Disease Cooperative
Agreement money, is a cooperative effort of State and private
veterinarians, Extension dairy and livestock specialists, dairy, beef and
livestock producers, and dairy processors and producers. The goals
of the program are: (1) Education : workshops, continuing education for
producers and veterinarians; (2) On-farm risk assessments and veterinary
visits to help identify factors that may be adversely affecting production
and profitability of the farm; and (3) Disease screening, pathogen
detection, disease control programs.
- $499,000 for the Aroostook Empowerment
Zone. The goal of the Empowerment Zone in Aroostook County is to
stem the tide of out-migration by providing additional training and
economic opportunities. This funding would provide applicants with
additional grant funding, and the Northern Maine Development Commission
with funds for economic development projects.
- $200,000 for the University of Maine,
Sustainable Production and Processing Research for Lowbush Specialty Crops
Funding would go toward research into how Maine’s blueberry farmers
can maximize their crops, produce higher quality crops and minimize
reliance on pesticides.
- $295,000 for New England Invasive Plant
Center. This is a joint project with the Universities of Connecticut,
Vermont, and Maine. The Northeast Center for Invasive Plants
researches the origins of invasive species plants and aims to minimize
their effect on natural plants and habitat.
- $2.249 million for USDA-ARS New England Plant,
Soil, and Water Laboratory
- The USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil, and Water
Laboratory in Orono and Presque Isle, Maine, is the only USDA-ARS
laboratory located in New England. The Lab performs critical
research on cropping systems, management practices, the efficient use of
nutrients and water, and the control of pathogens, insects, and
weeds. Specifically, the laboratory conducts experiments to address
the unique challenges that face potato growers both in the region and
across the Nation.