BANGOR, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) delivered remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Maine Harvest Federal Credit Union (MHFCU) – which will provide financial services to small farms and food processors in order to bolster Maine’s agricultural economy. A key piece of Senator King’s rural economic agenda is to help modernize the farming industry by increasing sustainability and helping small businesses thrive. Last week, Senator King gave remarks at the Wolfe’s Neck Center’s launch of the OpenTEAM initiative – and event which celebrated the new collaborative initiative that will focus on improving soil health as part of a solution to climate change.

“Maine’s farmers and food businesses make vital contributions to our state, which is why it is so important that they have the tools they need to succeed,” said Senator King. “Today, they are getting a new tool – the nation’s first credit union focused on serving the agricultural community. The Maine Harvest Federal Credit Union will combine the community-focused approach of credit unions with agricultural expertise, allowing our farmers to access specialized support that will help them thrive. This is a unique opportunity, and one that will open new doors for Maine farmers — I’m thrilled to be here to celebrate, and to see what comes next.”

Senator King has been a strong advocate for Maine farmers by helping to assist them to widen their markets. In June, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. In May, Senator King introduced the PRIME Act to help small farmers bypass burdensome federal regulations for locally produced meats. Also in May, Senator King joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing the Agricultural Export Expansion Act of 2019, legislation to remove a major hurdle for American farmers and ranchers aiming to sell American agricultural products in the Cuban market. In December 2018, Congress passed the Farm Bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill included a number of King-backed provisions to support innovation and create new opportunities for the Maine’s agricultural communities.

Senator King recognizes the importance of credit unions to Maine people and has worked to fight on their behalf; last year, he cosponsored the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan basis.