Fields of Change: Representative Chellie Pingree on Farming, Equity, and the Future of Agriculture
Farmer and U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joins us to provide the latest developments on the 2023 Farm Bill and shed light on the USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, a vital initiative aimed at rectifying historical loan discrimination within the agricultural sector. Representative Pingree passionately advocates for gender equality in agriculture, recognizing the pivotal role women play in the field. She shares her personal journey, transitioning from farming to a career in politics, and inspires women to consider running for public office as a means to drive positive change and champion important causes.
SHOW NOTES
Chellie Pingree never anticipated a life in politics. Living on the offshore island of North Haven, Maine, she raised her kids and ran a small business. She served on the school board and as the local tax assessor, a job no one else in town wanted. But in 1991, when she was approached about running for State Senate, she jumped at the chance.
She scored a remarkable upset, defeating a popular Republican, and went on to serve four terms in the Maine Senate. But throughout her political career, from Augusta to Washington and beyond, the lessons she learned on North Haven have always been her guide: Be accountable to your neighbors, and always use your common sense.
Farmer & Small-Business Owner Turned US Congresswoman
Chellie has worked hard throughout her life - as a mother, as a farmer, as a small business owner, and in politics. She knows how difficult it can be to meet payroll and run a business in a small, rural community. Right after college, Chellie and her husband, Charlie, spent several years running a small farm and selling produce locally. In 1981, she started North Island Yarn, a cottage industry of local knitters, with a retail store on the island. The business expanded quickly, becoming North Island Designs, and employed as many as ten local workers in peak seasons. The business sold knitting kits and pattern books nationwide through 500 retail stores and 100,000 mail order catalogues. She sold the business in 1993.Today, in addition to her political life, Chellie co-owns and helps manage Nebo Lodge, a bed & breakfast and restaurant on North Haven, which she started with several partners in 2006.
In 2008, Chellie was elected to Congress from Maine’s 1st Congressional District—the first woman elected to Congress from that District. She has previously served on the House Rules Committee and Armed Services Committee. She currently sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, chairing the Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, the Subcommittee on Agriculture, and Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. She also sits on the House Agriculture Committee.
Among other issues important to Mainers, Chellie has been an advocate in Congress for reforming federal policy to better support the diverse range of American agriculture—including sustainable, organic, and locally focused farming—as well as to reduce food waste. Many provisions from comprehensive legislation she introduced to make these reforms were passed in both the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills. She received a 2017 James Beard Leadership Award for her national leadership in food system reform.
LINKS
The Inflation Reduction Act set up a $2.2 billion fund to settle claims of discrimination in USDA loan programs. Representatives Chellie Pingree, Chairwoman Frankel, and Jahana Hayes from the Democratic Women’s Caucus are working with USDA to raise awareness of this fund for women farmers or would-be farmers who had their loans denied due to unlawful discrimination. The previous Love Trial lawsuits, first filed in 2000, did little to compensate women farmers who faced discrimination by USDA loan officers. In fact, USDA rejected 94% of discrimination claims due to paperwork technicalities or supposed fraud, which was never proven.
The newly extended deadline of Jan 13, 2024 is rapidly approaching to file your claim. If you believe that you have been discriminated against by USDA in your attempt to obtain a loan, please visit www.22007apply.gov or call 1-800-721-0970 for more information.
Agriculture Resilience Act
Women in Agriculture Act
PRODUCTION NOTES
Executive Producer, Host, and Writer: Audra Mulkern
Producers: Greta Hardin and Joe Mulkern
FFP Theme Song: Written and Performed by Joe Mulkern
Episode Song: Waltz It To Ya
Written By: Brendan St. Gelais
Performed By: Reveille