| | | Preamble. Whereas, maintaining an economically viable family farm | | in a global economy has become increasingly challenging; and |
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| | | Whereas, family farms are in need of alternative sources of | | revenue to support continued successful operations; and |
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| | | Whereas, other states have established revolving loan funds and | | other programs to assist family farms in initiating agri-tourism | | ventures; and |
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| | | Whereas, agri-tourism provides family farmers with a source of | | additional income beyond the income they derive from sales of the | | commodities they produce; now, therefore, be it further |
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| | | Sec. 1. Program to be developed. Resolved: That the Commissioner of | | Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the Commissioner of | | Conservation and the Chief Executive Officer of the Finance | | Authority of Maine jointly develop the Maine Agri-tourism Program | | to provide low-interest loans and technical assistance to family | | farms to aid them in initiating agri-tourism businesses. For | | purposes of this resolve, "agri-tourism" is the economic activity | | that occurs when people link travel with products, services and | | experiences of the agriculture and food system, including, but | | not limited to, farm accommodations, farm vacations and farm | | tours. In carrying out their responsibilities under this | | resolve, the commissioners and the chief executive officer shall: |
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| | | 1. Examine the pilot project for agri-tourism currently | | operating in the State of Vermont, as well as similar programs in | | other states, as models for the program to be developed in this | | State; |
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| | | 2. Identify the economic potential for agri-tourism | | businesses in this State; |
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| | | 3. Consult with family farmers in this State about their | | interest in an agri-tourism program, including estimates of | | funds necessary to adapt their farms to take advantage of agri- | | tourism opportunities; and |
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| | | 4. Develop a proposal for the Maine Agri-tourism Program, | | including administrative costs of operating the program; and be | | it further |
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| | | Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food | | and Rural Resources, the Commissioner of Conservation and the | | Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine shall | | submit a report, including any legislation necessary to |
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