In response to questions from Maine’s agricultural producers on area wages, pay, and benefits, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association developed a survey for farmer owners with employees that went out statewide this past March. Responses were due by April 2.
Food System Legislation Update - Hearing on 5/4, 9am
US Department of Labor - Press Release
Throughout the pandemic, farmworkers have remained on the job throughout the nation despite potential exposures to feed Americans and support U.S. exports. As the U.S. Department of Labor recognizes National Farmworker Awareness Week March 25-31, the department’s Wage and Hour Division has launched a nationwide education, outreach and enforcement initiative to ensure workplace protections for these frontline, low-wage workers………….
It's CSA Sign Up Time
Here are a few of the area farms that are offering CSA sign ups right now! If you are a farm and would like us to add your information to this list, please contact us!
Maine Food Policy News #6!
Introducing....Maine Food Policy News!
Maine Food Convergence!
Maine Food Convergence Virtual Convenings February 15 - March 11!
PRESS RELEASE
Maine Food Convergence Virtual Convenings February 15 - March 11
Statewide via Zoom - The Maine Food Convergence, a collaborative of 5 Maine food and climate networks, is convening organizations, networks, and groups in a series of interactive virtual networking events in February and March 2021. A wide variety of Maine food system colleagues will gather to focus on:
Top priorities in the Maine food system identified through 2020 Regional Dialogues
Collective group work and action planning
Systems that support ongoing collaboration
The Convergence stands apart from other virtual events for a unique focus on relationship building and facilitated storytelling led by the Maine Environmental Changemakers Youth Network, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, and Maine Wabanaki REACH. Participants will hear from new voices across the Maine food system and co-create action plans for working together across the intersections between Maine’s food, climate, and justice movements. Racial Equity and Justice of Bangor will provide a framework for centering diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Convergence. This is the beginning, as the Convergence aims to build long-term structures for greater collaboration and collective impact.
Learn more and register today for one or more of the following tracks:
Track A From Farm & Sea: Expanding Local Markets; Tuesdays 10 AM - 1 PM
Track B Farming and Fishing: Abundance, Equity, and Resiliency; Wednesdays 2 PM - 5 PM
Track C Healthy Food: Breaking Down the Barriers; Thursdays 4 PM - 7 PM
Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions of their chosen track, as well as the Opening and Reconvening events. Find the full schedule here.
Stipends and scholarships to support participation are available; for more information, please contact mainefoodconvergence@gmail.com.
Contact: Maine Farm to Institution
Renee Page r.page@hccame.org
Stephanie Cesario s.cesario@hccame.org
Maine Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Named
New membership named for the Maine Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. See the membership here: http://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/ACF.