An Act To Make Agriculture Studies a Part of the Maine Curriculum
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0668
Committee Amendment CA_A_H88 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 460, L.D. 668, Bill, "An Act To Make 
Agriculture Studies a Part of the Maine Curriculum" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Encourage the Teaching of Agricultural Studies in Schools' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 20-A MRS A §4710-A is enacted to read: 
§4710-A. Agricultural studies 
1. 
Agricultural studies. 
Agricultural studies may be taught in and infused or 
integrated into the curriculum of public and private elementary and secondary schools. 
Agricultural studies may address, but need not be limited to: 
A. The importance of agriculture in the State's history and development; 
B. The connections between the farm and daily life; 
C. The economics of agriculture and its importance to the State's economy; 
D. The importance of knowing where food comes from and the ecology of growing 
food; and 
E. 
The importance of eating healthy food and its role in combating childhood 
obesity. 
A school offering agricultural studies may make use of resources and materials developed 
and provided by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the 
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council in accordance with Title 7, chapter 8-D. 
Sec. 2. Agricultural studies instruction. To the extent existing resources allow, 
the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry and the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council described 
in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 242, shall seek to ensure that schools and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~ 
'" "c. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H,P, 460, L.D, 668 
teachers in this State are aware of the agricultural education materials, resources and 
training available pursuant to Title 7, chapter 8-D and shall encourage their use in 
agricultural studies in schools.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. This amendment authorizes agricultural studies to 
be taught in and infused or integrated into the curriculum of elementary and secondary 
schools, both public and private, 
Agricultural studies may address, but need not be 
limited to, the importance of agriculture in the State's history and development, the 
connections between the farm and daily life, the economics of agriculture and its 
importance to the State's economy, the importance of knowing where food comes from 
and the ecology of growing food and the importance of eating healthy food and its role in 
combating childhood obesity, 
This amendment also directs that, to the extent existing resources allow, the 
Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and 
Forestry and the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council implement outreach efforts 
to ensure that schools and teachers are aware of the educational materials, resources and 
training relating to agricultural studies available pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 7, chapter 8-D. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04117113 
;;tvIZC 
LD668 
LR 1672(02) 
An Act To Make Agriculture Studies a Part of the Maine Curriculum 
~'iscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'k [ H -<l '6 ) 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Education associated with implementing the requirements of this legislation can 
be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1672(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1