MAINE MORNING STAR • March 26, 2026
Dozens of farmers who gathered at the State House on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to put a $50 million agriculture bond on the ballot. Holly Noyes said the funding is critical to the future of their family’s longstanding dairy farm in Albion. “Our family’s been farming since the 50s, and this bill they’re going to talk about is really important to us,” said Noyes, who currently runs the operation. In 2018, a storm destroyed several buildings on the farm, and the family was unable to secure financial support to rebuild. The bond proposal would allow farmers to access low-interest loans and other programs designed to help recover from those kinds of losses. “Maine’s agricultural sector faces unprecedented challenges that require investment,” Rep. Bill Pluecker said. “Between shifting federal funding, climate changes like this past summer’s drought — both leave farmers struggling with losses. Farmers are facing a shifting landscape unlike anything we’ve seen in the past.”