A bond will help keep Maine farming

By Barry Higgins

I’ve been working the same patch of ground in Maine for over 60 years, just like my father before me. It’s never been easy, but these days, it’s harder than ever to keep a farm going. That’s why I’m speaking up in support of LD 1140 — a bond proposal that could make a real difference for folks like me, and for the younger farmers trying to make a go of it.

This bond isn’t just paperwork or politics, it’s about survival. It would bring much-needed investment into agriculture and forestry here in Maine, helping us build up infrastructure that’s long overdue. That means more efficient farms, cold storage, processing facilities — all things that help get Maine-grown food to Maine families. 

There’s also funding in there for drought relief and improving soil health. That matters more than most people know. I’ve watched crops wither in dry fields and scraped together money to keep cows fed through rough seasons. Programs like this could help farms bounce back faster and stay on their feet. 

What really hits home for me is the Working Farmland Access and Protection Program. Too much good land has already slipped away to development. If we don’t protect what’s left, I fear my grandchildren won’t have anything to farm. This program could help make sure land stays in farming, in the hands of people who know how to work it. 

Forestry’s part of this too, and that’s just as important. Our woods put a lot of people to work and keep our rural economy going. This bond would help support the forest products industry and preserve the land we all depend on. 

Some folks might ask why now. I’d say, if not now, when? When you’ve been up before sunrise trying to fix a broken milking machine you can’t afford to replace, or you’re wondering whether your kids will be able to take over the farm you’ve spent your life building, you know how much this kind of support means. This is an investment into our rural communities, supporting jobs and the future security of our local food system.

LD 1140 is a chance to invest in what matters: our farms, our forests, and our future. For less than $30 per Mainer, we can keep Maine’s agricultural traditions alive. 

I hope you’ll reach out to your local legislator and ask them to support this bond. It’s not just about farmers — it’s about Maine. 

Higgins is owner of Maple Lane Farms in Charleston. Maple Lane Farms is a five-generation family farm.