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Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program
In 2022, the Mills Administration invested approximately $20 million in federal funds to help Maine farmers and food processors improve critical infrastructure. This funding enabled farms and agricultural businesses to pursue upgrades that will mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19, increase the supply of Maine-grown food, enhance supply chain resilience, and help grow and sustain one of Maine's heritage industries.
In August 2022, funding was awarded to 64 agricultural businesses. The awards ranged from $41,669 to $500,000, averaging $301,217. Awards were distributed to a mix of different scales and types of production across all sixteen counties.
Results from AIIP: Success Stories from the Field
Maine Crisp Company
Winslow, ME
From Local Kitchen to National Shelves
Maine Crisp Company – Winslow, ME (link)
AIIP funding helped Maine Crisp modernize production and expand distribution.
Outcomes:
- 20+ new jobs
- 200% production capacity increase
- Growth from 1,000 to 3,000+ retail doors
- $250,000 in follow-on investment from Whole Foods
- 10x growth in sourcing of Maine-grown buckwheat
- Hiring of 20+ new employees.
- 200% increase in production capacity.
- The production capacity increase empowered Maine Crisp Company to enter national distribution, expanding from 1000 doors to 3,000+ doors. Major grocery clients the company was able to enter or expand into because of this grant include Whole Foods Market (national), Kroger (1,000 stores, fall-winter season), Thrive Market (national), Erewhon, and Wegmans.
- In order to meet increased consumer demand, Maine Crisp Company increased its sourcing of Maine-grown and -milled buckwheat nearly tenfold from 2022-2024 (sourcing over 200,000 lb in 2024 alone).
- Maine Crisp Company received $250,000 in additional financing from Whole Foods Market.
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Buck Family Farms
Presque Isle, ME
Feeding Maine's Brewing Industry
Buck Family Farms – Presque Isle, ME (link)
AIIP supported infrastructure upgrades that improved flow and tracking for this multigenerational farm.
Outcomes:
- New grain elevator, wet bin, and storage
- Improved efficiency through new software
- Serving 100+ craft breweries
Apple Creek Farm
Bowdoinham, ME
Animal Care Meets Agritourism
Apple Creek Farm – Bowdoinham, ME (link)
A new multifunctional facility supports both livestock needs and community connection.
Outcomes:
- Reduced feed loss and labor needs
- Expanded egg washing and laying capacity
- New opportunities for farm tours and on-site education
Aurora Mills & Farm
Linneus, ME
Breaking New Ground in Gluten-Free Processing
Aurora Mills and Farm – Linneus, ME (link)
Aurora Mills is midway through building a major new facility, thanks to AIIP support.
Project Highlights:
- New 50' x 100' building under construction
- Will enable:
- Large volume order fulfillment
- Dedicated loading dock access
- Segregated storage for non-gluten products
- The facility will house a gluten-free processing operation, allowing the business to enter new markets.
Award Recipients
| Business Name | County | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Creek Farm | Sagadahoc | $250,000.00 |
| Aroostook Band of Micmacs | Aroostook | $250,000.00 |
| Aurora Mills & Farm, LLC | Aroostook | $499,911.00 |
| Baker Brook Farm Creamery | Cumberland | $250,000.00 |
| Bigelow Brewing Company | Somerset | $500,000.00 |
| Black Acres Farm, LLC | Franklin | $224,500.00 |
| Blue Barn, LLC dba Bluet | Cumberland | $178,000.00 |
| Blue Barrens Farm | Washington | $120,347.45 |
| Blue Hill Berry Co. | Hancock | $454,550.00 |
| Blue Ox Blueberries | Hancock | $127,650.00 |
| Blue Ox Malthouse | Androscoggin | $500,000.00 |
| Brodis Blueberries | Knox | $500,000.00 |
| Buck Family Farms, LLC | Aroostook | $500,000.00 |
| Caldwell Family Farm | Androscoggin | $250,000.00 |
| Circle B Farms, LLC | Aroostook | $250,000.00 |
| Common Wealth Poultry Co | Kennebec | $500,000.00 |
| Crooked Face Creamery | Somerset | $66,019.00 |
| Crystal Spring Community Farm, LLC - DBA Crystal Spring Farm | Cumberland | $133,514.90 |
| Emery Farm | Kennebec | $246,482.00 |
| Fitzpatrick & Peabody Farms, LLC | Aroostook | $250,000.00 |
| Five Pillars Butchery House of Meat, LLC | Waldo | $250,000.00 |
| Frith Farm, LLC | Cumberland | $247,775.00 |
| Goranson Farm | Lincoln | $41,669.00 |
| Grace Pond Farm, LLC | Knox | $247,957.80 |
| Greener Days Farm | Lincoln | $249,947.68 |
| Harvesting Good | Androscoggin/Cumberland | $500,000.00 |
| Hatch's Custom Meat Cutting, LLC | Aroostook | $381,789.40 |
| Heiwa Tofu Inc | Knox | $456,791.00 |
| Herring Brothers Meats | Piscataquis | $498,000.00 |
| Houlton Farms Dairy, Inc. | Aroostook | $497,550.00 |
| Kennebec Cheesery at Koons Farm | Kennebec | $47,730.00 |
| Maine Crisp Company, LLC | Kennebec | $497,798.00 |
| Maine Food Group | Cumberland | $500,000.00 |
| Maine Grains, Inc. | Somerset | $500,000.00 |
| Maple Lane Farms, LLC | Penobscot | $500,000.00 |
| McLaughlin Family Farms, LLC | Aroostook | $250,000.00 |
| Merrill Blueberry Farms, Inc. | Hancock | $500,000.00 |
| Michaud Farm | Kennebec | $159,456.82 |
| Nature's Circle Farm | Aroostook | $250,000.00 |
| Olde Haven Farm, LLC | Kennebec | $250,000.00 |
| Pachanga LLC dba Tortilleria Pachanga | Cumberland | $308,104.48 |
| Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, LLC | Lincoln | $250,000.00 |
| R A S Wines | Cumberland | $443,500.00 |
| Rainbow Farm | Hancock | $125,705.00 |
| Ricker Hill Orchards | Androscoggin | $250,000.00 |
| Roux's Farm, LLC | York | $80,000.00 |
| Rusted Rooster Farm | Piscataquis | $250,000.00 |
| Seal Cove Farm | Hancock | $67,742.00 |
| Six River Farm, LLC | Sagadahoc | $250,000.00 |
| Somali Bantu Community Association of Maine, DBA Liberation Farms | Androscoggin | $223,476.00 |
| Southpaw Packing Company, Inc. | Cumberland | $500,000.00 |
| Spear Farms, Inc. | Lincoln | $250,000.00 |
| Springdale Jerseys, Inc. | Waldo | $153,622.00 |
| The Margolin Family Farm and Processing | Oxford | $221,610.69 |
| The Milkhouse | Kennebec | $139,200.00 |
| Thirty Acre Farm Rules | Lincoln | $250,000.00 |
| Thomas Farms | Penobscot | $249,420.00 |
| Tide Mill Organic Farm, LLC | Washington | $497,569.50 |
| Troy A Thibodeau, DBA Fleece, Feathers and Swine | Androscoggin | $250,000.00 |
| Two Farmers Farm, LLC | York | $250,000.00 |
| Ummah Enterprise, LLC | Androscoggin | $175,152.99 |
| Weston's Meat and Poultry | Kennebec | $500,000.00 |
| Winter Hill Farm, LLC | Cumberland | $250,000.00 |
| WR Allen, Inc | Hancock | $465,317.89 |
About the Program
A range of funding was offered through AIIP, including smaller grants for on-farm improvements and larger grants for processing projects. There was no no match required and no minimum request amount.
DACF partnered with Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) to administer the Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP). The program has closed. AIIP represented a one-time opportunity supported by federal emergency funding available during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department understands that there is a further need for financial support within Maine agriculture, and is committed to advocating for additional funding that can support future investment programs.
Examples of eligible investments include:
- Capital improvements, including modifications to existing buildings and construction of new buildings;
- Upgrades to utilities (including water, electric, heat, refrigeration, freezing, and waste facilities);
- Growing, processing, and manufacturing equipment and construction;
- Packaging and handling equipment;
- Technology that allows increased capacity or business resilience (including software and hardware related to business functions, logistics, inventory management, plant production and monitoring controls, to enable extended or year-round production); and
- Technical assistance, including market research and feasibility studies, engineering and construction planning, land use planning, facility design and configuration planning, and other services that directly support future implementation of infrastructure-related capacity-building projects.