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Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Infrastructure Fund
In acknowledgment of the growth potential and significant investment opportunity for Maine agriculture and forestry, Governor Janet T. Mills and the 130th Maine Legislature came together to support the creation of the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Infrastructure Fund.
The Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Infrastructure Fund's Primary Goals
- Strengthening Maine's agricultural, food, and forest products economy.
- Make strategic investments in infrastructure to add value to Maine's raw commodities.
- Increase access to new markets for Maine's agricultural, food, and forest products industries.
- Increase investments in historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities.
- Focus on supporting rural communities, low-income communities, and communities of color.
- Address barriers to capital access for businesses in these communities, helping them start, sustain, scale, and innovate.
Fund details will continue to be developed and refined as the Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Infrastructure Fund planning process advances and the advisory board provides input.
Authorizing Statutes
- §320-A Agriculture, food system and forest products infrastructure investment
- §320-B Maine Agriculture, Food and Forest Products Investment Fund
- §320-C Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Meeting Schedule
With some exceptions, the AFFPIF Advisory Board meets the last Wednesday of the month from 1:00-2:30 pm. Some meetings are in person but all meetings will have a remote attendance option.
| Date | Time | Location | Remote Access Information | Meeting Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD | ||
| May 28, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD | ||
| June 25, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD | ||
| July 30, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD | ||
| August 27, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Remote Only - Zoom | ||
| September 24, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD | ||
| November 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | TBD |
Meeting Archive
| Date | Time | Location | Remote Access Information | Meeting Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Remote Only - Zoom | Meeting Materials Packet (PDF) |
|
| March 5, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Remote Only - Zoom | Agenda (PDF) Proposed Timeline (PDF) Draft Working Agreements (PDF) |
Advisory Board Members
The advisory board is comprised of the following members, who represent the breadth of experience required §320-C Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board.
| Board Member | Affiliation | Seat Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Beal | Commissioner, DACF | Commissioner DACF or designee |
| Heather Johnson | Commissioner, DECD | Commissioner DECD or designee |
| Tricia Rouleau | Maine Farmland Trust | Statewide industry group representing conventional nondairy farming |
| Nicolas Lindholm | MOFGA | Statewide industry group representing organic nondairy farming |
| Sarah Littlefield | Maine Dairy Promotion Board | Statewide industry group representing dairy producers |
| Krysta West | Maine Forest Products Council | Statewide industry group representing forest products industry |
| Jay Beck | FAME | Financial institutions with experience in the agricultural and forest products industry |
| Jameson Little | Farm Credit East | Financial institutions with experience in the agricultural and forest products industry |
| Mfg of forest products | ||
| Jeffrey Wolovitz | Heiwa Tofu | Mfg of value-added products or representative of the value-added agricultural products industry |
| Matt Chin | Harvesting Good | Supply chain in processing, mfg or distribution |
| Marada Cook | Crown o'Maine | Supply chain in processing, mfg or distribution |
| Amy Winston | CEI | Provider of mktg assistance, mkt development, or business and financial planning |
| Dana Doran | Professional Logging Contractors | Statewide group representing logging and trucking industry |
| Shannon Hill | Mi'kmaq Farms | Member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe, or band |
| Craig Hickman | Annabessacook Farm | Historically underserved racial populations in nondairy farming |
| Muhidin Libah | Liberation Farms | Historically underserved racial populations in nondairy farming |