Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund (AFFPIF)

We want your feedback!

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is soliciting feedback from agriculture, food system, and forest products producers and professionals, as well and capital and technical service providers for these sectors, to help inform the structure and funding priorities of the new Agriculture, Food System, and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund.

The Fund was established by the Maine legislature to expand infrastructure investments and strengthen the State's agricultural, food and forest products economy, with a priority of making resulting efforts more inclusive of and increasing investments in historically marginalized, underrepresented and underserved communities.

Please complete the survey that best fits your profession: producer/business owner or capital/technical service provider. Either survey should take between 8 - 15 minutes to complete. Responses are due June 2.

Thank you for taking the time to respond! Please reach out to Jo D. Saffeir, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at DACF, with any questions at jod.saffeir@maine.gov.

Producer/Business Owner Survey

Capital/Technical Service Provider Survey

In acknowledgment of the growth potential and significant investment opportunity for Maine agriculture and forestry, Governor Janet T. Mills and the 130th Maine Legislature came together to support the creation of the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund.

Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund Goals: 

  • Strengthen Maine's agricultural, food, and forest products economy, prioritizing increased investments in historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities, including communities of color, low-income communities, and rural communities.
  • Address barriers to capital access for businesses in these communities, helping them start, sustain, scale, and innovate.
  • Expand investments in infrastructure to  increase access to new markets and opportunities in production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing, sale and consumption of products.
  • Establish technical assistance programs in support of the above goals in collaboration with other state agencies, economic development organizations, and other key institutional partners.   

Fund details will continue to be developed and refined as the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund planning process advances and the advisory board provides input.

Authorizing Statutes

Advisory Board

Meeting Schedule

With some exceptions, the AFFPIF Advisory Board meets the last Wednesday of the month from 1:00-2:30 pm. Some meetings are in person but all meetings will have a remote attendance option.

Date Time Location Remote Access Information Meeting Materials
May 28, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TBD

Register for Meeting
June 25, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TBD

Register for Meeting
July 30, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TBD

Register for Meeting
August 27, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Remote Only - Zoom

Register for Meeting
September 24, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TBD

Register for Meeting
November 19, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM TBD

Register for Meeting

Meeting Archive

Date Meeting Materials Video
April 30, 2025
March 26, 2025 Meeting Materials Packet (PDF)
 Meeting Recording (YouTube)
March 5, 2025 Agenda (PDF)
Proposed Timeline (PDF)
Draft Working Agreements (PDF)
Meeting Summary (PDF)
 Meeting Recording (YouTube)

Advisory Board Members

The advisory board is comprised of the following members, who represent the breadth of experience required by §320-C Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Advisory Board.

Board Member Affiliation Seat Description
Amanda Beal Commissioner, DACF Commissioner DACF or designee
Michael Duguay Commissioner, DECD Commissioner DECD or designee
Tricia Rouleau Maine Farmland Trust Statewide industry group representing conventional nondairy farming
Nicolas Lindholm MOFGA Statewide industry group representing organic nondairy farming
Sarah Littlefield Maine Dairy Promotion Board Statewide industry group representing dairy producers
Krysta West Maine Forest Products Council Statewide industry group representing forest products industry
Jay Beck FAME Financial institutions with experience in the agricultural and forest products industry
Jameson Little  Farm Credit East Financial institutions with experience in the agricultural and forest products industry
Melissa LaCasse Tanbark Molded Fiber Products Mfg of forest products
Jeffrey Wolovitz Heiwa Tofu Mfg of value-added products or representative of the value-added agricultural products industry
Matt Chin   Supply chain in processing, mfg or distribution
Marada Cook Crown o'Maine Supply chain in processing, mfg or distribution
Amy Winston CEI Provider of mktg assistance, mkt development, or business and financial planning
Dana Doran Professional Logging Contractors Statewide group representing logging and trucking industry
Shannon Hill Mi'kmaq Farms Member of a federally recognized Indian nation, tribe, or band
Craig Hickman Annabessacook Farm Historically underserved racial populations in nondairy farming
Muhidin Libah Liberation Farms Historically underserved racial populations in nondairy farming