1. Public awareness. Produce audio-visual materials, facilitate public service programming, prepare written materials, organize a speakers’ bureau and otherwise educate the public. The commissioner, in carrying out these duties, shall address the following needs: maintaining a lasting and sustainable agriculture; protecting our critical rural infrastructures; guaranteeing continued and effective production and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables and livestock; preserving prime farmland; conserving our soils and water; and generally ensuring the quality of life in rural Maine.

2. Agricultural literacy. Cooperate with the Department of Education to develop instructional materials, train teachers and teacher trainers and otherwise complete actions for utilizing agriculture as an exciting medium for educating students both about society and the natural world, while increasing their literacy by infusing basic agricultural concepts such as agriculture and economics, the dynamics of world hunger, agriculture and history within present subjects taught in Maine schools.

3. Cooperation. Cooperate with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies and institutions, educational and farm organizations and interested individuals, including the Maine Ag in the Classroom Association, the Department of Education and the Cooperative Extension Service in carrying out this chapter.