Spear successor should have ‘boots in the mud’

AUGUSTA – As Gov. John Baldacci prepares to nominate a new chief for the state’s Agriculture Department early in the next Legislative session, Maine’s farming and rural sector is speaking out about who should replace outgoing Commissioner Robert Spear and why.

In an informal survey last week of dozens of agricultural representatives, some simply said “Clone Bob Spear,” while others addressed the issues of sprawl, biotechnology, regional and national marketing.

But all spoke with one voice in backing the appointment of someone “with their boots in the mud” – someone with farming or agriculture experience who can provide fresh, creative leadership.

“It is most important that the commissioner has, at least, a background in agriculture,” Fred Hardy, a dairyman from New Sharon said. “We need a commissioner who is in touch with both the people he has been picked to serve and the issues confronting us on a daily basis.”

Baldacci will appoint Deputy Commissioner Ned Porter as interim commissioner when Spear leaves on Nov. 18.

In a telephone call Friday from France, where he was on an international trade mission, Baldacci said that despite many challenges in federal regulations and funding, he is proud of the groundbreaking programs Maine has been able to develop to support the agriculture sector.

Baldacci said one of his key goals is to build on his record of success to ensure new opportunities for Maine producers, such as the state’s dairy stabilization program.

“These accomplishments include enhancing programs to buy local products, improve irrigation, disseminate best practices, and build on organic farming and niche markets,” he said. “We are implementing recommendations from the Natural Resource-Based Industries Summit. We have spearheaded farmland preservation efforts.”

Baldacci would not discuss specific candidates for the position, but others spoke candidly about the qualities that person should have.

Lauchlin Titus, an agronomist from the Waterville area, said, “I think that the commissioner needs to not have any preconceived notions about various aspects of agriculture whether it be production – organic or conventional – or marketing, or regulation.”

Titus said the position of deputy commissioner is equally critical. “This needs to be an individual who knows and understands agriculture and who has skills to deal with legislative issues – bills, rulemaking.”

Titus and others said any attempts to combine all the state’s natural resource departments would deeply hurt Maine agriculture and that an agriculture commissioner needs to be strong enough to keep the department independent.

Roger Doiron of the Eat Local Foods Coalition of Maine, said a new commissioner must be ready to promote local agriculture, the fastest growing segment of Maine’s farming sector.

“Billions of dollars are leaking out of the Maine economy each year to buy foods coming from out of state, foods that Maine is perfectly capable of growing, processing and marketing,” Doiron said.

“Bob Spear has been an effective commissioner because he has been accessible to all of Maine’s diverse farm sector. I am hopeful that [a new] vision will include a strong emphasis on facilitating farmers’ access to local markets and a push from the top to establish Maine as a national leader in organic and sustainable agricultural practices,” Doiron said.

George Maendel of Montville, a leader in rural planning, said a new commissioner needs to be “present and awake enough to react with alarm, outrage and action when he or she sees traditionally productive farm fields chopped up for yet another housing or commercial development.”

Maendel suggested creating a national model Rural Homesteading Program, to provide young farmers with financing to help resettle farms that are going on the market at inflated prices.

“If we do nothing, Boston’s suburbs will swallow all the available land from Bangor south,” Maendel said.

The next commissioner and deputy commissioner need to consistently and repeatedly remind the governor and the legislature that Maine voters value Maine agriculture and that it needs to be supported by a strong and useful department of agriculture, Titus said.

“Maine farmers and the Maine economy need strong leadership to move us forward with developing and marketing new crops and products and ideas that preserve the rural character of much of Maine. This can best be done by assuring that Maine farmers make a living wage and are able to have a lifestyle similar to the rest of society so that young people will recognize that farming is still a good and honorable way to make a living in Maine,” Titus said.

Paula Roberts, a beef farmer in Swanville, said that a new commissioner will need to address the challenges of high petroleum prices, the low cost of imported agricultural products, and increased development pressure.

Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth, a dairy farmer, said the agriculture department needs “new energy and enthusiasm.”

“I see this as a critical time for Maine’s farming sectors,” Smith said. “With the budget constraints state government faces, we need bold ideas and creative thinking to strengthen Maine’s rural economies. Whether it’s new export markets, a meaningful local food policy, or the growing demand for organic and natural foods, there are so many opportunities just waiting for Maine farmers to explore. We need the Department of Agriculture to be right there with us.”