The 119th Legislature authorized an Agricultural Development Fund (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 10 §306A - 309). The Legislature identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine. These rules establish the procedures for administering the Agricultural Development Fund and Grant Program, including: application procedures, criteria for granting awards within the guidelines specified in the legislation, an outline of the responsibilities of the applicants, the role of the committees overseeing program management, and other administrative procedures not specified in the legislation.
01-001 C.M.R. ch. 33, § II