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Congresswoman Chellie 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 book Living the Good Life.

Chellie is still an organic farmer and small business owner today, owning and operating the Nebo Inn and Restaurant on North Haven, which features locally grown food from her farm.

With a degree in human ecology from the College of the Atlantic, she started an organic farm on the island of North Haven. Selling produce to summer residents and raising sheep for wool turned into a thriving mail order knitting business that eventually employed ten people in her small community.

Local Farms Food, and Jobs Act

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 Farm

The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Ac was introduced on November 1, 2011 by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree & Senator Sherrod Brown

Local Farms, Food and Jobs

Local Farms, Food and Jobs

The Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act will improve federal farm bill programs that support local and regional farm and food systems. This legislation will help farmers and ranchers engaged in local and regional agriculture by addressing production, aggregation, processing, marketing, and distribution needs and will also assist consumers by improving access to healthy food and direct and retail markets. And of utmost importance, this legislation will provide more secure funding for critically important programs that support family farms, expand new farming opportunities, and invest in the local agriculture 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 Extension

2012 Farm Bill

Questions?