Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on Local and Regional Food Systems

CongresswomanChellie Pingree Member of the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on { Nutrition and Horticulture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry

Chellie Pingree came to Maine in the 1970s,inspired by Helen and Scott Nearing’s bookLiving the Good Life.With a degree in human ecology from the College of the Atlantic, she started anorganic farm on the island of North Haven. Selling produce to summer residentsand raising sheep for wool turned into a thriving mail order knitting businessthat eventually employed ten people in her small community.Chellie is still an organic farmer and small business owner today, owning andoperating the Nebo Inn and Restaurant on North Haven, which features locallygrown food from her farm.

Chellie is committed to helping reform farm policy with interests of small farmers and consumers in mind Working to support and promote local food systems in the 2012 FarmLocal Farms Food, and Jobs Act

The LocalFarms, Food, andJobs Ac wasintroduced onNovember 1, 2011by CongresswomanChellie Pingree &Senator SherrodBrown

Local Farms, Food and Jobs

The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act will improve federalfarm bill programs that support local and regional farmand food systems. This legislation will help farmers andranchers engaged in local and regional agriculture byaddressing production, aggregation, processing,marketing, and distribution needs and will also assistconsumers by improving access to healthy food and directand retail markets. And of utmost importance, thislegislation will provide more secure funding for criticallyimportant programs that support family farms, expandnew farming opportunities, and invest in the localagriculture economy.Local Farms, Food and Jobs

The Benefits of Local and Regional Food Systems Local and regional agriculture is a major economic driver in the farm economy. There are now more than 7,000 farmers markets throughout the United States—a 150 percent increase since 2000, direct to consumer sales have accounted for more than $1.2 billion in annual revenues. Now, on the heels of that expansion, we are witnessing the rapid growth of local and regional food markets that have scaled up beyond direct marketing. Together these markets represent important new job growth and economic development.Local Farms, Food and Jobs

The Local Farms Food, and Jobs Act will Boost Income Opportunities for Farmers and Rancher Improve Local and Regional Food System Infrastructure and Markets Expand Access to Healthy Foods for Consumers Enhance Agriculture Research and ExtensionLocal Farms, Food and Jobs

2012 Farm Bill

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Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on Local and Regional Food Systems

by American Farmland Trust

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Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on Local and Regional Food Systems Presentation Transcript