Maine officials announce more than $400K for state agriculture projects

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine officials are giving out more than $400,000 in grants to 11 agricultural projects in the state.

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walter Whitcomb announced the $422,855 in grants at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show last week. The projects were chosen from 47 proposals. The department says the projects address the state agricultural industry’s need to accelerate marketing and improve technology.

Whitcomb said the 11 projects are tentative and need to be approved by the state’s Purchases Division. They include the expansion of Crooked Face Creamery in Norridgewock and the Orono-based Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine’s Wild Blueberry Major Metro Enhancement Program for 2015. Tide Mill Organics of Edmunds Township was selected to develop retail markets for Maine organic poultry.