AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s agriculture commissioner says the state is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give more than $500,000 to support specialty crop production in the state.
Officials say the state will conduct a host of initiatives to enhance the growth of numerous crops, including potatoes, wild blueberries, organic vegetables, hops and strawberries. The total amount of the block grant is $562,583.
Maine Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb says the money will also help farmers and producers meet new federal food safety rules. He says the funding will also aid with research needs for pest management.
Whitcomb says the goal of the project is to make the crops more sustainable as well as more profitable.
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