The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) told its advisory board that the administration has approved asking the Legislature and voters for authority to issue up to $40 million in bonds to support existing farm and forestry grant and loan programs.

Emily Horton, DACF director of policy, said the department submitted the proposed language to the reviser’s office and that the administration has given the green light to ask for $40,000,000. "So we got the green light to ask for 40,000,000," Horton said as she reviewed the draft package and the required two‑thirds legislative threshold for bond approval.

Why it matters: a department bond would provide a one‑time capital infusion that DACF officials and advocates say could be used to scale infrastructure and grant programs that otherwise lack a dedicated vehicle for capital funding. Horton said bond proceeds cannot be used for staffing and that the department will prioritize existing programs that already have operating capacity.

Draft breakdown and outstanding details: Horton presented a draft allocation that would direct $24,000,000 to the core fund (noting a $12 million split for forestry and $12 million for agriculture), $4,000,000 for a farmer drought relief fund, $4,000,000 for Healthy Soils, $5,000,000 for the Working Farmland Access Protection Program and $5,000,000 for a Dairy Improvement Fund. Board members flagged a discrepancy on the Dairy Improvement Fund amount; one member said the legislative draft they reviewed showed $3,000,000, and Horton confirmed the language in the reviser’s office controls.

Horton also reviewed the legislative timeline. She said the department expects public hearings once the Legislature reconvenes in January, followed by committee work sessions where amendments are often made. "You can testify in person. You can submit testimony online. You can reach out to your local representatives," she said, urging advisory board members to participate in the public process.

Next steps: Horton said the department will seek sponsors in the Legislature and push for the two‑thirds votes needed to place bond packages before voters. She emphasized uncertainty about exact timing if a bond passes, noting money would flow after treasury and governor’s office steps and could realistically be available no earlier than 2027 depending on administrative steps.

The advisory board did not take a formal vote on the bond itself during the meeting; members discussed how a successful pilot and evidence of local demand could strengthen future appropriations or reauthorization efforts.