TURNER (AP) — An egg producer says it’s going to keep the current management in place at Maine’s largest egg farm.

Pennsylvania-based Hillandale Farms signed a lease to run the farms that were previously operated by a Land O’Lakes subsidiary. Hillandale says it’ll fully assume the farms’ payroll on Sept. 26.

Hillandale Farms reached the agreement last month. The lease was signed by Hillandale President Orland Bethel, who in 2010 refused to answer questions when asked by a congressional committee to testify about a salmonella outbreak.

Spokeswoman Melanie Witt says the company is committed to exceeding animal care and environmental standards and to being “excellent stewards of the hens and the environment, and being the kind of neighbors the residents of Maine can feel good about.”