An Act to Safeguard Sustainable Food Sources Provided by Certain
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 0942
Sponsors: COLLAMORE, GUERIN
Amends: 7 MRSA §2

Legislative Document
No. 942
H.P. 607
House of Representatives, March 11, 2025
An Act to Safeguard Sustainable Food Sources Provided by Certain 
Maine Farmers
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on March 5, 2025.  Referred to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed 
pursuant to Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COLLAMORE of Pittsfield.
Cosponsored by Senator GUERIN of Penobscot and
Representatives: GUERRETTE of Caribou, MINGO of Calais, ROBERTS of South Berwick, 
Senator: CURRY of Waldo.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the Legislature finds that it is desirable to foster an equitable food and 
agriculture economy that protects and improves the health, nutrition and quality of life of 
all Maine residents; and
Whereas, the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 
Farm Bill, is an omnibus multiyear law that governs an array of food and agricultural 
programs and provides much-needed funding to states; and
Whereas, the federal American Relief Act, 2025 provided an extension of the 2018 
Farm Bill, which gives the United States Congress until September 30, 2025 to pass a new 
farm bill; and
Whereas, this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period 
so this legislation is in effect before a new farm bill is enacted; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §2, sub-§7 is enacted to read:
7.  Federal grants designated for livestock farmers.  Notwithstanding any provision 
of law to the contrary, ensure that any federal grant for which livestock farmers may be 
eligible gives priority to small and midsize farms as defined by the commissioner by rule.
Sec. 2.  7 MRSA §2, sub-§8 is enacted to read:
8.  State grants.  Issue clear state grant application requirements and, in collaboration 
with stakeholders, create a process for evaluating state grants under this Title.  Stakeholders 
must include, but are not limited to, owners of small and midsize livestock and nonlivestock 
farms and processors as defined by the commissioner by rule.
Sec. 3.  7 MRSA §2, sub-§9 is enacted to read:
9.  Shared-use kitchens.  Develop, establish and prioritize shared-use kitchen 
programming to enable midsize farms as defined by the commissioner by rule to:
A.  Build shared-use kitchen infrastructure; and
B.  Increase processing capability for agricultural products as defined in section 152, 
subsection 2 for personal use and local community demand.
Sec. 4.  Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to adopt 
rules.  By June 30, 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall 
adopt rules to define "small and midsize farms" and "small and midsize livestock and 
nonlivestock farms and processors"; create a process for evaluating state grants under the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 2, subsection 8; and develop, establish and 
prioritize shared-use kitchen programming pursuant to Title 7, section 2, subsection 9.
Sec. 5.  Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; report.  By 
August 15, 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit a 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on the 
rule-making process under section 4 and how the department and the rules will assist and 
prioritize small and midsize farms.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill adds the following to the duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry:
1.  Ensure that federal grants designated for livestock farmers give priority to small and 
midsize farms;
2.  Issue clear state grant application requirements and, in collaboration with 
stakeholders, create a process for evaluating state grants; and
3. Develop, establish and prioritize shared-use kitchen programming to enable midsize 
farms to build shared-use kitchen infrastructure and increase processing capability for 
agricultural products for personal use and local community demand.