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Market and Production Development dIVISION |
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> Agricultural Business Development
Agricultural Business DevelopmentTechnical Assistance
Business Resource Directory
We can help you find information on agricultural subjects through
our various contacts and directories. The Division maintains a list
of farmers interested in promotional activities, agricultural associations,
agencies that regulate or support agriculture, and various other subjects.
The Department has developed a directory of cooperatives, various lists
of farmers by commodity produced, and is working on a labor regulations
directory. Ag Business Planning AssistanceNeed to expand, consolidate, or just better plan for your existing business? Do you need a business plan to go to the bank? The Division supports business plan development through the use of scholarships for farmers to take business planning courses. The Division can also give grants to farmers to complete a business plan if they are seeking a loan through our loan program. The Division also supports the FASTTRAC business training program as well as the NxLevel agricultural business planning program. The Division, working with local coalitions, has sponsored courses in Southern and Northern Maine. For further information, contact us at 287-7620. Ag Business LoansNeed a loan to make capital improvements to your farm, food processing or aquaculture business? The Division manages two loan programs for that purpose, the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund and the Potato Market Improvement Program.
Ag Business GrantsThe Division has a number of grant programs available to help adopt new technology, promote products or conduct market research. Each program has it's own eligibility criteria and reporting requirements. Contact John Harker at 287-7620 or email John.Harker@maine.gov. for further information on any of the following programs:
Other Ag Development Programs and ProjectsAgricultural Water Source Development Cost Share Program
The state Agricultural Water Source Development Cost Share Program
has provided over $1.7 million for 85 projects including wells
and ponds. All commodities and all size farms are assisted. The
current program protects over 4000 acres of crops from drought.
The state investment will yield benefits for many years to come
for the 85 farmers currently in the program. These funds are on
a competitive basis so long as bond funds remain. Contact John
Harker at 287-7620, or e-mail John.Harker@maine.gov,
or find more information about this program
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