AUGUSTA – State Rep. Russell Black (R-Wilton) has been appointed to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, which tackles issues involving food safety and pesticides to farm land preservation and land for Maine’s future.
“I am very pleased to be on this committee.” said Rep. Black, one of only two full-time farmers in the Legislature. “This was my first choice because I have such a rural district that depends on agriculture and the forest industry. On my own farm, we are very diversified, having a large beef herd, a maple syrup orchard and a tree farm.
“Maine has tremendous natural resources,” he added, “and we need to build on them through the expansion of their use and by promoting the growing business of agri-tourism.”
The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee has one of the broadest jurisdictional charters in the Legislature. It oversees the Department of Agriculture, Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC), the Department of Conservation, Baxter State Park and the Land for Maine’s Future Program.
The panel also has jurisdiction over food safety, inspection and labeling; pesticide regulation; Submerged Lands and the Coastal Island Registry; the dairy industry; state parks, historic sites and public lands; agricultural fairs, products and marketing; and forest management.
The Maine Legislature has 16 bipartisan policy committees that handle bills and issues that fall within their area of jurisdiction. Each committee has 13 members, three senators and 10 representatives.
Rep. Black serves House District 90, which includes Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple, Wilton and the unorganized territories of East Central Franklin, which includes parts of Freeman and Salem Townships and the Townships of Perkins and Washington.
WOW! I’m looking forward to working with Reb. Black on all subjects concerning Strong if the good people of Strong again elect me their Selectman on Friday March 4, 2011.
I know Russell will do well on this Committee. His background is his best asset here.