PORTLAND, Maine-U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe say the USDA has approved a $400,000 emergency grant to 50 Maine potato growers. The growers suffered crop damage during recent storms that in some cases completely washed away topsoil, dramatically reducing yields.
The grants come from the USDA's Farm Services Agency. The money was provided through the agency's Emergency Conservation Program.
Potato growing is the backbone of the Aroostook County economy. The senators say the money will help growers repair damage to their fields and prevent further farms.