Nation’s agriculture secretary to pledge funds for rural Maine

A Democratic federal official is coming to Maine to pledge support for forestry, farmers and rural communities.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visits Orono on Thursday and Brunswick on Friday to announce agricultural funding for forestry and clean energy in Maine, according to a press release. He also plans to promote the work of the current Biden-Harris administration and the Inflation Reduction Act, which will fund the unspecified new programs.

On Thursday, Vilsack plans to reveal funding for forest landowners to “adapt to climate change impacts, improve carbon storage and keep working forests working.” The Orono event will be a town hall with Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The next day Vilsack will appear in Brunswick with Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, both Democrats, to announce “major investments” in job creation, clean energy access and lower energy costs for farms and small agricultural businesses.

Vilsack previously visited Maine in January to discuss climate change and winter storm impacts with farmers.