Board elects Senator Craig Hickman and Tricia Rollo as co-chairs for Maine agriculture committee

The Agriculture, Food, and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund Advisory Board convened on April 7, 2025, to elect co-chairs and discuss foundational agreements for their upcoming initiatives. The meeting began with the election of Senator Craig Hickman and Tricia Rollo from Maine Farmland Trust as co-chairs, a decision that received unanimous support from board members.

Senator Hickman, an experienced organic farmer and long-serving member of the Maine legislature, expressed his commitment to enhancing food self-sufficiency and sovereignty in the state. He highlighted his previous legislative work, including drafting the food sovereignty law and co-authoring a constitutional amendment on the right to food. Hickman emphasized the importance of facilitating discussions among diverse stakeholders to ensure the board's initiatives benefit all Maine residents.

Tricia Rollo, who oversees farmer support programs at Maine Farmland Trust, also shared her enthusiasm for the board's work, particularly regarding the planning process for the state's PFAS fund. She noted her experience in managing programs that support farmers facing challenges, including climate resilience and PFAS contamination.

Following the co-chair elections, the board moved on to establish working agreements to guide their future meetings and decision-making processes. These agreements aim to create a collaborative environment as the board develops strategies to support Maine's agricultural sector.

The meeting underscored the board's commitment to addressing critical issues facing farmers and food producers in Maine, setting the stage for future discussions and initiatives that aim to strengthen the state's agricultural infrastructure.