Maine’s agricultural roots are celebrated with its Agriculture Specialty Plate, an initiative introduced in 2007 by then-Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. This specialty plate, available through the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles, not only serves as a visual representation of the state’s rich farming history but also plays a role in supporting agricultural education.
The plate’s design, created by Charlie Armstrong of Etna, Maine, reflects the essence of Maine’s agricultural tradition. Armstrong, who is both an artist and a cranberry specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, as well as the secretary of the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council, crafted the image based on a photograph of his father, who grew up on a dairy farm, and his daughter. The design, featuring black silhouettes of a farmer and child against a vibrant background, showcasing that Maine agriculture is fundamentally about the people who work the land and their quality of life.
“Maine’s agriculture has a tremendous reputation and is no doubt a huge contributing factor to our so-called ‘Maine Mystique’ that draws thousands of visitors to our state each year,” Armstrong said in a news release. He also emphasized the importance of educating future generations about the value of agriculture, ensuring that when the time comes to pass the torch, there will be willing and knowledgeable recipients ready to carry on the legacy.
Bearing the slogan “Support Local Agriculture,” the Agriculture Specialty Plate is more than just a decorative addition to vehicles; it’s a vital fundraising tool. Each plate sold contributes $10 to the Maine Agriculture Education Fund, a program overseen by the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council.
The fee to purchase a plate is $200 in addition to the regular registration fee when first purchasing the plates. Each renewal is an additional $15. The plates are issued in a unique numbering sequence, beginning with 101-AGA for the passenger sequence, 101-AGC for the commercial sequence, and 101-AGF for the farm sequence.
The funds raised are used to provide training and materials for teachers, grants for agricultural programs in schools, and educational field trips, all aimed at fostering a greater understanding of Maine’s agricultural industry among students.
The Agriculture Specialty Plate was officially added to Maine’s specialty plate options on October 1, 2007, following a rigorous approval process that included collecting 2,000 signatures and raising $40,000 to cover production costs. The plate is available for both passenger and commercial vehicles, with an option for vanity plates as well.
Since its introduction, the plate has garnered significant support, with sales peaking at 17,089 units in 2015. These funds have had a tangible impact, supporting initiatives like a volunteer reading project that reached over 55,000 students in 2,500 classrooms and providing 109 agricultural project grants of up to $5,000 each.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Maine’s economy, as highlighted by the USDA and the Maine Department of Agriculture. The state is home to approximately 7,600 farms, encompassing 1.3 million acres, with an average farm size of 172 acres. Maine leads the nation in wild blueberry production and ranks second for maple syrup, while potatoes stand as the largest crop grown in the state. According to the USDA, the diverse agricultural landscape also includes significant dairy production, with the state producing approximately 550 million pounds of milk annually.
