Eight farms and organizations that support agriculture in Maine have been selected for a grants totaling nearly $250,000.

The eight recipients were selected from a field of 30 eligible applicants for the Maine Agricultural Development Grant program, according to an announcement from the state Wednesday.

The winning proposals incorporated one or more of four priorities: development of livestock processing; improved utilization and profitability of Maine-grown crops; product enhancements for nutrition and/or food safety; and alternative markets or diversification including merchandising, farm stands, rural tours and educational opportunities.

These projects have been identified as:

• Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Wiscasset – Ethnic produce: Crop diversification for Maine farmers to reach new markets

• Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine in Orono – 2016 wild blueberry metro marketing program

• Lakeside Family Farm in Newport – Farm-to-Workplace: Bringing more Maine food to Maine people

• Bartlettyarns Inc. in Harmony – Commercial wool baler

• Apple Ridge Farms Inc. in Appleton – New technology vinegar acetator

• Aroostook Hops LLC in Westfield – Creating a hop pelletizing facility to produce Maine-grown and pelletized hops

• Appleton Creamery in Appleton – Appleton cheese trail

• LaJoie Growers LLC in Van Buren – Diversifying farm products with cold storage capacity

The recipients still must be approved by the Maine Purchases Division and the successful completion of a State of Maine contract.

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