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Maine Department of Agriculture Announces Grant Opportunities for 2006

January 19, 2006

Contact:

Press Contact: John Harker, Program Manager

john.harker@maine.gov or call 207-287-3491

Ned R. Porter, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture is requesting proposals for the year 2006 for Market Research, Market Promotion and New Technology Demonstration grants provided through the Agricultural Development Grant Program (ADGP). The matching, competitive grant program is meant to encourage innovative efforts by farmers, aquaculturists and food processors to expand their markets, promote their products and test new innovative equipment and processes.

Applicants can be individuals, businesses, groups or associations who wish to do market research, market promotion or new technology demonstrations for Maine agricultural products or with Maine agricultural producers and food processors.

No one grant can exceed $30,000. Grant applications for promotion of State agricultural products must be matched one for one, while grant applications for market research or new technology demonstration has a 25% matching requirement.

"This program provides state investments to keep agriculture viable," says Acting Commissioner Porter, "and we have many good projects where farmers are trying new things."

Projects in past years have included support for dehydration facilities, fresh slice apple production, grain milling and storage, fresh Maine produced beef promotion to area supermarkets, support for farmer's markets including Bath, Maine Mall, and a new market on Isleboro. In addition, the Department helps food processors develop a strategic plan for expanding wholesale markets, as well as support for non traditional fiber and fiber arts festivals in Portland.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the program, and who may want help in drafting proposals, needs to write to the department at: Division of Market and Production Development, 28 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333 or call 287-3491. Applications are also available on line at http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/mpd/business/grantsandloans/ Deadline for applications is March 16th, 2006.