An Act To Make Agriculture Studies a Part of the Maine Curriculum
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0668
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: DAUGHTRY, JOHNSON, BERRY, HICKMAN, KENT, KRUGER, MAKER, POULIOT, TURNER
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4706

Legislative Document 
No. 668 
H.P. 460 
House of Representatives, February 26, 2013 
An Act To Make Agriculture Studies a Part of the Maine 
Curriculum 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative DAUGHTRY of Brunswick. 
Cosponsored by Senator JOHNSON of Lincoln and 
Representatives: BERRY of Bowdoinham, HICKMAN of Winthrop, KENT of Woolwich, 
KRUGER of Thomaston, MAKER of Calais, McCABE of Skowhegan, POULIOT of Augusta, 
TURNER of Burlington. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §4706, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §§8 and 9, is further 
amended to read: 
§4706.  Instruction in American history, Maine studies, Maine Native American 
history and agriculture 
Instruction in American history, government, citizenship and, Maine studies and 
agriculture must be aligned with the parameters for essential instruction and graduation 
requirements established under section 6209. 
1.  American history.  American history, government and citizenship, including the 
Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the importance of 
voting and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, must be taught in and 
required for graduation from all elementary and secondary schools, both public and 
private.  
2.  Maine studies.  Maine history, including the Constitution of Maine, Maine 
geography and environment and the natural, industrial and economic resources of Maine 
and Maine's cultural and ethnic heritage, must be taught.  A required component of Maine 
studies is Maine Native American studies, which must be included in the review of 
content standards and performance indicators of the learning results conducted in 
accordance with section 6209, subsection 4.  The Maine Native American studies must 
address the following topics: 
A.  Maine tribal governments and political systems and their relationship with local, 
state, national and international governments; 
B.  Maine Native American cultural systems and the experience of Maine tribal 
people throughout history; 
C.  Maine Native American territories; and 
D.  Maine Native American economic systems. 
3.  Agriculture studies.  Agriculture studies must be taught in and required for 
graduation from all elementary and secondary schools, both public and private.  
Agriculture studies must address the following topics: 
A.  The importance of agriculture in the State's history and development; 
B.  The connections between the farm and daily life; and 
C.  The economics of agriculture and its importance to the State's economy. 
Sec. 2.  Agriculture studies instruction requirements.  In developing the 
parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements required under the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209 for agriculture studies as set out in Title 
20-A, section 4706, subsection 3, the Department of Education shall consult and seek 
recommendations from the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council established 
pursuant to Title 7, section 242. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires agriculture studies to be taught in elementary and secondary schools 
in the State for essential instruction and graduation requirements.  The bill requires that 
agriculture studies address the importance of agriculture in the State's history and 
development, the connections between the farm and daily life and the economics of 
agriculture and its importance to the State's economy.  The bill also requires the 
Department of Education to consult with the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council 
in developing the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements for 
agriculture studies.