SPRINGVALE —Put a bunch of farmers in a room and the talk is, naturally, mainly about food. But its also about finding labor, unending paperwork, regulations that leave farmers scratching their heads and new programs that might be able to give them a boost.

U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree spent an hour with members of the York County Farmers Network, a group that formed a dozen years ago to foster growth and viability of farm”“based businesses.

During the Friday morning meeting in Springvale, she talked about a number of aspects of the Farm Bill signed by the president a year ago.

And she listened to what farmers have to say.

“My problem is labor,” said Jim Spiller, who, with his wife Anna, operates Spiller Farm in Wells. For several years the Spiller’s taken part in a specific visa program that allowed foreign students to work here. But that program has been halted and the application process involved in a different visa initiative, Spiller said, is daunting.

Pingree said she’s aware of the difficulties industries are facing with the visa program ”“ not only farmers, but retailers in coastal communities are also affected, she said.

“It’s a very real problem, said the congresswoman.

Pingree pointed out that the number of Maine farms is growing and the age of Maine farmers is young, as compared to other states. Farms are small in the Pine Tree State, but diversified.

Pingree said she’ll follow up with Edgar Dolbec, who operates Applegate Deer Farm with his wife Patricia in West Newfield, who told her they have to pay a processing fee of $40 an hour for a U.S. Department of Agriculture stamp, where beef and hog farmers do not.

“It costs me $3 a pound to sell (venison) to the public,” Dolbec estimated.

Springvale sheep farmer Jean Noon told a similar story, of paying a fee to have her lamb certified as organic.

Ed Cormier, a member of the Sanford Parent Teacher Association, said he’s among those who would like to include more local food on school lunch menus.

Pingree said the role of parents is critical in getting changes made in school lunch programs.

One part of the farm bill that harks to that quest is the Farms to School grant program that can help schools learn about buying local. According to information supplied from Pingree’s office, schools can apply for planning grants to help them incorporate local foods into the school lunch program.

Pingree said Tide Mill Farm in Edmunds, in Washington County, is now certified as a USDA poultry slaughterhouse ”“ a facility sorely needed, Pingree added. However, Pingree acknowledged the distance to York County is considerable.

Another part of the new farm bill, she said, designated $100 million for the program that allows those using food stamps to get twice as many fresh vegetables and fruits as they would normally get for a specific price, and $150 million for farmer’s market and local food promotions.

Pingree said a statewide survey conducted last fall showed 85 percent of respondents said they wanted to buy more local food, and 75 percent said they’d be willing to pay more for food produced locally.

Pingree said she attempted to change the crop subsidy program, to limit subsidies on corn and similar commodities that she said no longer needs the support, but that didn’t happen.

She pointed out that organic farming is the niche everyone’s talking about.

“This is where all the growth is,” said Pingree.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324”“4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282”“1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.