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STATE OF MAINE
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IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE
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H.P. 557 - L.D. 901
Resolve, to Establish a Stakeholder Group to Inform the Development of a
Farm Apprenticeship Pilot Program
Sec. 1.
Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall
convene a group of stakeholders including, but not limited to, representatives from the
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; the Department of Labor; the
Department of Economic and Community Development; the Department of Education;
educational institutions, particularly public and private postsecondary institutions;
statewide organizations representing organic farmers and gardeners and conventional
farmers; a statewide organization that works to protect farmland and support farmers; and
a statewide business association to develop recommendations for a potential farm
apprenticeship pilot program. The stakeholder group shall consider existing models for
farm apprenticeships and solicit input from interested parties. The Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may undertake a survey of existing programs
within the State and in other states to inform the work of the stakeholder group. The
commissioner shall report the findings and recommendations of the stakeholder group,
including suggested legislation, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters by March 1, 2025. The joint
standing committee may submit a bill to the 132nd Legislature in 2025 relating to the
subject matter of the report.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following
appropriations and allocations are made.
AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
Bureau of Agriculture 0393
Initiative: Provides one-time funding for contracted services to manage a stakeholder group
to develop recommendations for a farm apprenticeship pilot program.
GENERAL FUND
2023-24 2024-25All Other $0 $20,000
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GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$0 $20,000
APPROVED
JULY 26, 2023
BY GOVERNOR
CHAPTER
110
RESOLVES