Spring in Maine: Women, Stewardship, and the Power of Choosing Local
Spring in Maine always brings a sense of renewal. As the days grow longer and the land wakes up, we’re reminded that agriculture is not just seasonal, it’s a year-round commitment rooted in care, resilience, and community. Across our state, farmers are preparing fields, caring for animals, tapping maples, and planning for the growing season ahead, all while continuing the work that enhances all our lives here in Maine every day of the year.
This spring is especially important at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) as we recognize 2026 as the Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine, which we announced at our annual Agricultural Trades Show in January, along with Governor Mills’ proclamation. This recognition aligns Maine with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The initiative is part of a globally coordinated, non-partisan effort led internationally by the United Nations and nationally by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), with participation from organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Young Farmers’ Coalition, American Farmland Trust, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, private sector partners, research groups, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Women have always played essential roles in Maine agriculture as farm owners, operators, caretakers, innovators, and leaders, often balancing on- and off-farm work, family responsibilities, and the long hours that farming demands. According to the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, women make up a larger share of producers in Maine than the national average, representing roughly 43% of the state’s farming community. Across Maine, women farmers are helping shape the future of our food system with creativity, determination, and deep stewardship of the land.
Also, this year, DACF is proud to honor Whitefield dairy farmer Annie Watson as the recipient of the 2026 Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award. Annie currently serves as the president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association, in leadership roles of the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, the Agriculture Council of Maine, the Wolfe’s Neck Farmer Advisory Group, and the DACF Maine Geological Survey’s Water Resource Planning Committee. Annie’s present and past leadership, advocacy, and commitment to Maine agriculture exemplify the values we celebrate during the Year of the Woman Farmer. Her work reflects the quiet strength and persistence that defines so many farmers across our state, showing up day after day, solving problems, mentoring others, and helping ensure that Maine agriculture remains vibrant and resilient.
As spring unfolds, it’s also an important moment for all of us to pause and reflect on why local food matters. Choosing Maine-grown, raised, and made products supports local farmers and food producers, keeps working lands in production, strengthens rural economies, and reduces the distance food travels to our plates. Just as importantly, it builds relationships between farmers and customers, neighbors and communities, and fosters trust in where our food comes from and how it is produced.
From June Dairy Month and Maine Open Farm Day to Wild Maine Blueberry Weekend, Maine’s agricultural fairs, and many other farm- and crop-focused events, there are countless opportu nities to experience Maine agriculture firsthand. You can find dates, details, and planning resources
at RealMaine.com to help you map out visits throughout the season.
As you welcome spring, I encourage you to seek out products from Maine farms, meet more farmers and ask questions, try new things, and make choices that support Maine agriculture. Every purchase, every visit, and every conversation matters.
To Maine’s farmers, especially the women whose leadership we honor this year, thank you for your dedication, resilience, and care. On behalf of DACF, I wish you a safe and bountiful growing season.
Amanda Beal, Commissioner Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Help Us Celebrate the Women Shaping Maine Agriculture
During the International Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine, we invite you to help us recognize the farmers, leaders, and innovators strengthening Maine’s agricultural future. Do you know a woman whose work deserves acknowledgment? With her permission — and yours — we may highlight her story as part of our statewide celebration in 2026.
Scan the QR code to submit a name and join us in honoring Maine’s women farmers.
Recognition for Making a Lasting Impact
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal named Annie Watson, a dairy farmer from Whitefield, as the recipient of the 2026 Commissioner's Distinguished Service Award.
The Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact on Maine's agricultural community.
Watson and her husband, Michael Moody, began dairy farming together in 2013 after purchasing their farm in Whitefield, where they have built a successful organic dairy operation rooted in stewardship, resilience, and community.
“Annie Watson represents the best of Maine agriculture – deeply rooted in the land, forward-looking in leadership, and unwavering in commitment to farmers, families, and rural communities,” said Commissioner Beal. “I have great respect for Annie, her willingness to take on any challenge that comes her way, and her ongoing hard work and determination to strengthen Maine's dairy sector.”
Watson currently serves as president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association, and in leadership roles of
the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, the Agriculture Council of Maine, the Wolfe's Neck Farmer Advisory Group, and the DACF Maine Geological Survey's Water Resource Planning Committee. Her past service includes participation in state and regional dairy task forces, PFAS and farmer wellness initiatives, and leadership roles with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Maine Organic Milk Producers Association. She is a strong advocate for local food systems and the essential role agriculture plays in sustaining Maine's rural communities and economy.
In her acceptance remarks, Watson reflected on the deeper role farms play in Maine and beyond, emphasizing that agriculture is about more than food production.
“Farms don’t just produce food. They hold communities together. They keep the land open and cared for. They teach kids what work looks like, what responsibility looks like, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself,” Watson said, adding, “Maine farms are not just part of our scenery. They are part of our soul.”
Watson and her husband live on their Whitefield farm with their three sons, Oliver, Henry, and Guthrie,
along with their farm dog, Otis. In addition to her work on the farm and in agricultural leadership, Watson enjoys cooking, reading, photography, and exploring Maine’s outdoors.
Annie Watson is pictured with her husband, Michael Moody, and their sons.
Celebrate Maine Maple Sunday®
Visit a sugarhouse March 21-22
It is a well-known rite of spring and tradition for many Maine families — making the trip to sugarhouses for Maine Maple Sunday® weekend. The event, the first of its kind in the nation, is in its 43rd year.
The 2026 edition of Maine Maple Sunday® weekend will be held March 21 and 22 at more than 100 sugarhouses statewide. Some sugarhouses will be open both days, while others may be open for one day. Be sure to visit and take in all the sights and smells of making maple syrup in Maine.
Among the sugarhouses open this year will be several Real Maine members. We wanted to spotlight a few of these members and what visitors can expect when they stop by on Maine Maple Sunday® weekend.
You can find a list of participating sugarhouses by visiting the Events page on the Maine Maple Producers Association website at mainemapleproducers.com.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL VISIT:
• Each site is different — review schedules and hours of operation, complimentary or ticketed activities, etc. Before you head out, check for any changes — use local listings, webpages, social media, or call the business.
• Dress for the weather and the season — changing temperatures, melting or accumulating spring snow, and mud puddles are common.
• Follow farm rules; stay in visitor areas.
• Stick to established trails and roads.
ENJOY PURE MAINE MAPLE SYRUP YEAR-ROUND!
There are many ways and places to buy pure Maine maple syrup and maple products throughout the year. Real Maine members are a great place to start your search — go to www.RealMaine.com. You can find Maine maple products at sugarhouses, farm stands, local grocery stores, and through Maine-based online retailers.
Did You Know...
Maine produces 575,000 gallons of maple syrup, the state’s official sweetener, each year
Somerset County, Maine, is the top maple syrupproducing county in the U.S.
There are about 2 million maple tree taps in Maine, which is home to 450 producers licensed to sell maple products
It takes
40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of maple syrup
Sticky Business: All About Maple Syrup Judging
Every year at the Maine Maple Producers Association annual meeting, a select group judges maple syrup and products from throughout the state to find the best of the best.
The room is a sea of different colored syrups in jars and vials of all sizes, along with candy, cream, and sugar samples. The judges are blind-tasting syrups in paper cups.
“Remember — when judging, there is a concept of complexity and layers of flavor,” Jason Lilley of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension reminded the judges.
“This one feels slightly burnt,” one judge said. “The aftertaste isn’t smooth,” another judge said.
There are four types of syrup being judged: golden delicate, amber rich, dark robust, and very dark strong.
As with syrup making itself, maple judging requires some science and math. Each syrup sample is tested to determine whether it falls within the preferred Brix
Maine
Maple Association 2026 Annual Meeting Contest Winners
Best of Show
Spring Break Maple Farm – Maple Cream
Golden Delicate
Merrifield Farm
Amber Rich
Merrifield Farm
Dark Rich
Merrifield Farm
Very Dark Strong
Hilltop Boilers
Maple Cream Spring Break Maple Farm
Maple Candy Spring Break Maple Farm
Maple Sugar Spring Break Maple Farm
range. Brix measures the sugar content of a liquid and can be measured with a refractometer or hydrometer.
How does one become a maple judge? One way is through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, which, through its partners, offers a Maple Syrup Grading School. Lilley said those who take the grading school course vary from inspectors, buyers, and maple producers to anyone who wants to add the skill to their toolbox.
Many factors go into maple syrup grading and judging, including smell, flavor, clarity (the less cloudiness, the better), and mouthfeel. When tasting syrup for grading or judging, it is recommended that the taster smell, sip, and move the syrup in their mouth and look for characteristics like sweetness, balance, and intensity.
Some of the adjectives overheard during the judging for the Maine Maple Producers Association contest were “fruity,” “toasted,” and “earthy.”
When judging maple syrup and products for contests, Lilley said, “It can be tough to come to a consensus, but usually we have a top two or three that we all agree on. Often, it's clear that one stands out above the rest, but sometimes it is a negotiation.”
The UMaine Cooperative Extension offers these tips for high-quality syrup:
• High-quality, food-safe equipment
• Sap should be collected promptly
• Exhaust from pumps, motors, and vehicles should not contaminate sap/syrup
• Use potable water for washing
• Lights should be covered to protect sap/syrup from glass breakage
• Pack syrup in clean, unused containers
Lilley said the Extension will be offering a one-day Maple Grading School in connection with the Maine Maple Producers Association’s Maple Mania conference this summer.
Crisp-Edged Maple Oatmeal Cookies
Contributed by the Maine Maple Producers Association
6 Tbsp butter
½ cup Maine maple syrup
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 egg
1 cup minus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
Pinch of all spice
½ cup rolled oats (not instant)
Sift or thoroughly stir together flour, salt, soda, and allspice. Cream the butter, then beat in syrup, lemon rind, and egg. Stir in dry ingredients, then oatmeal. Drop by teaspoons on a lightly buttered baking sheet and spread flat with a knife blade. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes, until the edges are well-browned, then cool on wire racks. Centers will remain slightly cakey, edges will crisp as they cool. Makes about 3 dozen.
A Checklist of Springtime Activities to Celebrate Maine Agriculture
Whatare your favorite ways to enjoy Maine agriculture year-round? With a wide variety of farm product choices, and ways to support farms, every season offers something to celebrate! Real Maine offers a few ideas. Share some of your ideas with friends and family. If you’re looking to make a day of exploring agriculture, be sure to check out the trip planner tool on RealMaine.com!
CSA Sign Up Time — Later winter to early spring is ideal for your summertime produce or flower shares. If you prefer, consider offerings that pair with local businesses, subscription boxes, or pre-orders and delivery. Visit: bit.ly/RealMaineCSASearch.
Maine Maple Sunday® — On the fourth weekend in March, you can tour sugarhouses across the state as they invite visitors. If you miss this event, don’t worry! Many farmstands and sugarhouses sell pure Maine maple syrup you can enjoy every season. Visit mainemapleproducers.com/events/maine-maple-weekend.
National Agriculture Week: March 15-21 & National Ag Day: March 24 — Celebrate your favorite farmers with us. Maine offers a variety of agriculture and quality farm products. Give a shout out to your favorite Maine farmers on social media. Use #MaineAgDay and #RealMaine. Seek local selections — visit a market, farmstand, or find a Maine choice at the grocery store.
Seedling Sales — There’s plenty of time from March to June to entrust farmers to start more than a few of your favorite seedings. The seedlings will benefit from a healthy start before transplanting into your backyard garden. Visit bit.ly/ RealMaineGreenhouseandGarden.
Attend the Maine Fiber Frolic Festival! Mark your calendar for the 2026 festival at the Windsor Fairgrounds on Rt. 32 in Windsor. This year’s festival is set for June 6-7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
Kick-Start Dairy Month this June! Look for Maine milk, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy goodness. Use RealMaine.com to find your favorite Maine dairy products to celebrate the arrival of summer!
New! Open Creamery Day is June 14, 2026 in honor of dairy month! Visit www.mainecheeseguild.org.
Celebrate Maine Farms and Products with a Real Maine Roadtrip!
It’s easy to search for farm products and experiences across Maine. Simply visit realmaine.com where you can search farms and more — or create a roadtrip of farms and businesses to explore. You can even share your itinerary with friends and family or on social media. And, if you’d like, you can print your customized trip plan to carry with you during your travels.
Happy exploring!
Visit realmaine.com to get started!
1. Visit realmaine.com/itinerary
2. Select “View All Members” button to locate dozens of Real Maine members.
3. Narrow your choices – use any of these methods for easy filtering:
• Type keyword(s) or location in search fields. Optional: Select a distance. Click “Use My Location” for real-time location settings (requires location access on your browser or device).
• Click an icon for a pre-filtered assortment of business categories.
• Use the checkboxes to “Refine Your Search” by Activity (for example, PYO), Farm Products (for example, Fruit), Ways to Buy (for example, Retail, Farm Stand), etc. Locate “Refine Your Search” on the left side of a computer screen on a PC or the bottom of a mobile device screen.
4. Add a stop to your trip by clicking the add to my trip button on the member profile.
5. Click “View your trip” to see your curated list. You can adjust your list as desired.
6. Optional: Share with others, save or print.
Planning a day of sites?
You can add them to a trip itinerary and save, print or share it with others! It’s easy... Plan
Windsor Fairgrounds: Fiber Frolic (June 6-7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily)
Greenhouse/Garden Center: Fieldstone Gardens, Inc. 55 Quaker Lane, Vassalboro
Ledgeway Farm (Open House: May 16, 2026!) 140 Stage Road, Pittston
Skowhegan Farmer’s Market 10am-1pm • 42 Court St, Skowhegan Dec-April • 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
Simmons Hancock Farm
39 US Hwy 1, Hancock
Saying Thank You to Maine Farmers
Sometimes a simple act can make an impact. Mariah Johnson, a 19-year-old from Farmington, is hoping to help her fellow farmers through the Thank A Farmer Letter Project she has started.
Johnson has participated in Maine 4-H for several years, and even though she has “aged out” of the organization, she remains involved through the Maine 4-H Youth Council. She is also taking pre-veterinary courses at the University of Maine at Farmington. We asked her to tell us more about her new initiative.
Where did the idea for the project come from?
As a farmer myself, I have seen the struggles of the industry firsthand. From prices being low to crop failures and everything in between, the tension of farming is very high. I had done some previous community service projects, sending letters to veterans through an online organization. However, no organizations like this are around for farmers. This was a simple but powerful way to lift up farmers across America by re -
minding them that their hard work, long hours, and sacrifice truly matter.
How did you get started and how many letters have been sent so far?
Shortly after the idea came up, I started writing letters and sent them to farms across New England. I was then invited to attend this year’s Maine Ag Trades Show at the 4H booth, where I had 40 cards made by attendees. I also brought the project to a 4H club, where kids made cards for farmers, as well. More than 60 cards are being delivered to farms across New England, as well as in Wisconsin, New York, and Pennsylvania.
How does the process work if someone would like to send a letter?
Currently, I am collecting all cards and letters and sending them out. Anyone interested in writing can reach me at thankafarmerletterproject@gmail.com.
Johnson said she is actively working on introducing the project into schools, “to raise awareness about the dedication and sacrifice involved in feeding America.” She said she has received positive feedback from farmers, who she said “were delighted” with the letters and cards.
Contribute to Maine's Emergency Food Program
Help food-insecure Mainers by contributing to the Maine Emergency Food Assistance Program Fund this tax season.
Give $1, $5, $10, $25, or more, and join the movement to help end hunger in communities throughout the state.
Every dollar helps local families in need.
To donate, when filling out your 1040 ME tax form, refer to Schedule CP (“Charitable Contributions and Purchase of Park Passes”), which lists different charitable contributions you can make; mark down how much you’d like to give the Maine Emergency Food Assistance Program Fund; then include that donation in the total on the line “Charitable Contributions and Park Passes” on the 1040 tax form.
Every donation to the fund is appreciated.
Maine Senior FarmShare 25th Anniversary Spotlight: Little Ridge Farm
The Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP) is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. Since the program's inception in 2001, hundreds of Maine farms have participated, providing fresh, nutritious produce to approximately 15,000 income-eligible older adults each year. Each participant receives a $50 share during the growing season to purchase fruits, vegetables, culinary herbs, and honey at farms and farmers’ markets throughout Maine’s 16 counties.
Little Ridge Farm in Lisbon Falls has been participating in MSFP for 15 years and has served hundreds of participants with its organic fruits and vegetables. One happy MSFP participant said to farm owner Keena Tracy, “I stopped by, and my candy-preferring husband couldn't stop eating the carrots – they were so sweet and so good.” Another participant said, “I don't know what to say, except I am so humbled and grateful.”
As this is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, MSFP is proud to highlight the hard but gratifying work of women on farms in Maine. As Tracy said, “We grow our food with love and are excited to share it with our community.”
Former Maine governor John Baldacci, who in 2001 was a United States Representative serving on the House Agriculture Committee, and Gus Schumacher, former undersecretary of the US Department of Agriculture, worked to secure funding through the Farm Bill for senior farmers’ market nutrition programs throughout the United States, its territories, and tribes. The program has grown to include 44 states, 9 Native American Indian Tribes, and 2 U.S. territories.
MSFP is a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation,
and Forestry (DACF). For more information, go to www.maine. gov/dacf/ard/food-assistance/ farmshare, email seniorfarmshare.agr@maine.gov, or call (207) 287-3491.
This project has been funded at least in part by Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Owner and operator Keena Tracy proudly stands at the barn entrance of Little Ridge Farm, surrounded by fresh herbs, flowers, and squashes.
Fresh blueberries will be in abundance this summer at Little Ridge Farm.
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, which promotes understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the public, is holding its Read ME Agriculture program from March 16 to 20 for Maine students in grades pre-K to 4.
This year's book selection is "I Love Blueberries," written by Shannon Anderson and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. In the book, with the help of Jolie's faithful rabbit, Munchy, and Margot's dog, Pip, plans are underway to bring the whole class together to convince the community to help them set up a hydroponics growing station in their classroom. It is filled with engaging facts about blueberries, hydroponics, and poetry, and has a heartwarming theme of friendship.
Every classroom that participates will receive a copy of the book and an
educator's guide, with aligned classroom activities. To best serve the 1,000 classrooms that participate in Read ME Agriculture each year, the program follows a hybrid model, allowing classrooms to choose between in-person and virtual options.
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom is funded by the Maine agricultural specialty license plate, grants, and private sponsors. To learn more, go to maine.agclassroom. org or email maitc@maine.gov.
