Senator Collins Calls for Disaster Relief for Maine Specialty Crop Producers

Letter to USDA Secretary requests relief for Maine's wild blueberry, apple, and livestock producers facing severe financial losses from drought conditions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the Department to provide disaster assistance to Maine's specialty crop and livestock producers. In her letter, Senator Collins highlighted the serious toll that extreme weather, high production costs, and labor shortages have taken on Maine's wild blueberry, apple, and livestock producers. She called on the USDA to ensure that these producers are included in any federal relief efforts and to expedite the release of Livestock Forage Program funds to help farmers purchase feed and hay for the winter months.

"Maine specialty crop producers are now facing tremendous challenges, such as increased costs of production, high labor costs, and extreme weather," Senator Collins wrote. "On October 30, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that the entire State of Maine is in a drought. Currently, 42.65 percent of Maine is in an extreme drought, while 47.15 percent of the state is in a severe drought. These conditions have dramatically affected the apple and wild blueberry producers. These crops are vital to Maine's agricultural economy, yet they are often overlooked when USDA considers providing economic relief to producers."

"The wild blueberry industry has been an integral part of Maine's agricultural heritage since the mid-1800s," she continued. "As a result of a rainy spring that interfered with pollination and the drought this summer that greatly hampered growth, the wild blueberry industry is facing losses of more than $28 million."

"While the quality of Maine apples has been good this year, the quantity of the harvest has been greatly reduced, causing significant losses because of this year's drought. The Maine Pomological Society informed me that in a survey of farmers representing approximately 80 percent of the state's total apple production, all but one farm surveyed had crop production of 50-60 percent less than 2024. Livestock producers in Maine are also being affected by increased drought conditions, with many having to purchase feed for their livestock from places as far away as Colorado," Senator Collins concluded.

The complete text of her letter can be read here.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet