Maine agriculture commissioner to step down
Maine agriculture commissioner to step down
Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci announced that Robert W. Spear would be stepping down as commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources.
"During Bob's tenure as commissioner, he has shepherded the department's development of some bold and important programs, whether Senior Farm Share, Farms for the Future, or the dairy stabilization," Gov. Baldacci said in a statement. "Maine's farmers have certainly benefited from his leadership and I have enjoyed working with him."
"I'm really proud of what we accomplished with a dedicated staff: Farm Share, irrigation, Farms for the Future and providing a safety net for dairy farmers come immediately to mind," Mr. Spear said. "But one of my most important accomplishments was rebuilding morale among employees and re-establishing our credibility in the industry and with our partners."
Deputy Commissioner Edwin Porter will serve as acting commissioner, effective Nov. 18.
"During Bob's tenure as commissioner, he has shepherded the department's development of some bold and important programs, whether Senior Farm Share, Farms for the Future, or the dairy stabilization," Gov. Baldacci said in a statement. "Maine's farmers have certainly benefited from his leadership and I have enjoyed working with him."
"I'm really proud of what we accomplished with a dedicated staff: Farm Share, irrigation, Farms for the Future and providing a safety net for dairy farmers come immediately to mind," Mr. Spear said. "But one of my most important accomplishments was rebuilding morale among employees and re-establishing our credibility in the industry and with our partners."
Deputy Commissioner Edwin Porter will serve as acting commissioner, effective Nov. 18.