On June 10, voters will go to the polls to support a $60 million bond issue that will stimulate economic growth and job creation through investments in research and development, municipal infrastructure and facilities.

The bond will be matched by approximately $134,150,000 in federal and private funds. A small but important portion of the bond will address capital needs at the University of Maine’s agricultural research farms by providing $1 million to update facilities and equipment.

The University of Maine conducts basic and applied research vital to Maine’s agricultural industry. Its research farms, located throughout the state, play a vital role in promoting the viability and long-term profitability of Maine farms and the food-agricultural system. These farms are living laboratories where scientific theories can be applied to real-life conditions.

Applied research contributes positively to the viability of Maine’s agricultural sectors by solving technical problems and helping develop profitable production systems, while preserving the quality of the environment and the health and safety of the people of Maine.

For example, research conducted at the university’s potato research farm in Presque Isle has shown that a sustainable and more environmentally friendly approach to insect and disease control reduced pesticide use with no yield reduction.

The University of Maine’s research farms are a crucial part of the research infrastructure required to serve the research needs of the agricultural industries of Maine. We urge you to vote yes on Question 1.

G. Bruce Wiersma

Dean and director

College of Natural

Sciences, Forestry

and Agriculture

Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station

Steve Reiling

Associate director

Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station

Orono