Maine Farmland Trust - Fall 2015

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

NEWSLETTER

PA I D 97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915

Volume 14 , No. 2

PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME

Fall / Winter 2015

phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: www.mainefarmlandtrust.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Finding Land, Finding Home New American farmers seek to put down roots in Maine soil It’s not easy to build a successful farm business. It is even more difficult to build a successful farm business far away from your home country, in a place with a completely different climate, culture, and language.

In This Issue:

And yet, that is just what six former refugees have accomplished,

Page 01: New American farmers look for land

with help from Cultivating Commu-

Page 02: Disaster Relief Fund & Feeding Maine exhibit

nity’s New American Sustainable

Page 03: Purchased easement program protects six more farms

Agriculture Project (NASAP), based at

As they take the next steps to grow

Page 04: Two farms protected in Corinna & VFA poised for growth

Packard-Littlefield Farm in Lisbon.

their farm businesses and become

Page 05: Call for farm animal photos Page 06: Recent happenings

The majority of NASAP farmers

leasing land to these six farmers.

Once the farmers find land, Land

self-sustaining, these farmers are

For Good, a regional organization that

hail from Africa, many from Somalia,

working with MFT to find farmland to

facilitates farmland access, tenure

and most farmed in their native coun-

lease.

and transfer, will help guide the lease

try before resettling in Lewiston-Au-

Thank You to our featured Business Members!

New American farmers ready for their own farmland. L-R: Khadija Hilowle, Batula Ismail, Hussein Muktar, Jabril Abdi, Seynab Ali, Mohamed Abukar.

The farmers seek farmland with

negotiation process. MFT will act as

burn. Through NASAP’s farm training

enough acreage to accommodate all

an intermediate leaseholder, if this

program, the farmers have been able

of their individual farm businesses

strategy could help a landowner and

to build businesses consistent with

at a single location. This will allow

these farmers negotiate and maintain

their culture, lifestyle, and individual

them to share equipment and infra-

a successful farm lease arrangement.

goals, and apply their farming knowl-

structure. Collectively, they hope to

edge in their new home. They’ve also

find 45 acres of farmable land, with a

know a farmland owner who might be

learned how to grow and market their

mix of land that can be cultivated for

interested in making land available to

crops in a totally different climate

vegetables, and pasture/hayland for

these farmers, please contact Erica

and culture.

livestock. MFT is actively searching

Buswell at ebuswell@mainefarm-

for farmland owners in the greater

landtrust.org. •

Now, these six NASAP farmers are ready to move off the incubator

Lewiston-Auburn area who would like

farm and start farming independently.

to learn more about the possibility of

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

If you have unused farmland, or

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MFT creates new farm disaster relief fund

$50,000.

First relief gift given to Misty Brook Farm

ing on slim margins.

Board & Staff

Disasters like the storm that hit Misty Brook can be devastating for

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William Bell, Saco Paul Birdsall, Penobscot Neil Crane, Exeter Julia Dodge, Rockport Walter Fletcher, Pittsfield Eleanor Kinney, Bremen James Lawrence, Rockport Frank Miles, Secretary, Cape Elizabeth Susan Morris, Vice Chair, Waldoboro Taylor Mudge, Chair, Camden Steve Page, Searsmont Cecily Pingree, North Haven Henry Whittemore, Treasurer, Readfield

small farmers, who are often operatThe community has rallied behind the farm, offering volunteer labor and

Spurred by a freak storm that caused

donations directly to the farmers.

over $60,000 in damage at an Albion

But MFT wanted to do more, both for

farm, MFT has developed a new Farm

Misty Brook and for other farms hit

Disaster Relief Fund that will help

by disasters in the future.

Maine farms when disaster strikes.

“We’ve been thinking of this for a

The new relief fund fills a void, and leverages MFT’s ability to re-

while,” explained John Piotti, MFT’s

ceive tax deductible, philanthropic

president. “But the damage recently

gifts to help farms that don’t receive

inflicted on Misty Brook Farm pushed

federal disaster relief or crop insur-

us to act.”

ance. Farms that have utilized MFT’s

On July 28, Misty Brook Farm was hit by torrential rain, hail, and winds that topped 70 mph. The freak

The Holmes family of Misty Brook Farm in 2014.

Photo by Greta Rybus.

may arise in a timely manner.

In early September Misty Brook

services and are hit by disaster can

Farm requested $4,278 to rebuild

apply for funds.

livestock infrastructure. MFT awarded those funds a week later, helping the

MFT will grow the Farm Disaster

storm tore roofs off two barns and

Relief Fund with charitable donations.

a vegetable shed, killed 79 chickens,

The goal is to have enough funds on

and destroyed crops valued at over

hand to deal with whatever disasters

in communities across the state, with the hope that these efforts will continue to grow into a resilient food system that serves all Mainers.

“The show conveys both the seriousness of hunger in Maine, and a sense of hope,” said Julie Sexton of Good Shepherd. “By supporting the kind of work depicted in this exhib-

Feeding Maine exhibit debuts More than 200,000 Mainers are food insecure. The term encompasses hunger and scarcity, as well as a lack 2

healthy.

Feeding Maine features photos

by Brendan Bullock. The series is a collaboration between Maine Farmland Trust and Good Shepherd Food

it, we can make strides toward food security for all Mainers, and support our farm economy.”

Feeding Maine is intended to be a tool for communities to talk about food access. If you are interested in bringing the exhibit to your area, contact ellen@mainefarmlandtrust.org. •

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

Membership Categories: Basic - $20

You may also make payments

Individual - $30

towards a life membership:

Family - $50

(4 Payments) $250

Contributor - $100

(2 Payments) $500

Life - $1,000

Please contact me about protection options for my farm property.

I want to get involved! Please contact me about volunteer opportunities.

Name __________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________

STAFF

the many people working for change

of access to food that’s fresh and

Chris Hamilton, Whitefield James P. Hastings, Skowhegan Bambi Jones, Alna Jo D. Saffeir, Pownal Arthur Thompson, Presque Isle Adrian Wadsworth, North Turner

farm get back on its feet. •

Bank. It seeks to document some of

Tim Libby harvests beets at one of the Veggies For All fields he manages. Photo by Brendan Bullock.

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Our work depends on the generosity of individual members and donors. Please join us.

Anna Abaldo, Gallery Amanda Beal, Policy and Research Adam Bishop, Land Protection Erica Buswell, Land Protection Andrea Denny, Database Management Alex Fouliard, Outreach Mike Gold, Farm Viability Shannon Grimes, Farm Viability Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Unity Food Hub Martin Hayden, Development Holly Ingraham, Land Protection Sue Lanpher, FarmLink Tim Libby, Veggies For All Lyndsey Marston, Land Protection Marla O’Byrne, Senior Vice President LouAnna Perkins, Senior Legal Counsel John Piotti, President and CEO Tricia Rouleau, Land Protection Ellen Sabina, Outreach Kim Sanborn, Office Assistant Elizabeth Sprague, Farm Viability Brett Sykes, Land Protection Rachel Taker, Executive Assistant Matt Tremblay, Unity Food Hub Sara Trunzo, Veggies For All Kristin Varnum, Vice President and CFO Reeve Wood, Legal Counsel Nina Young, Land Protection

Town, State, Zip ________________________________________________ Telephone ______________________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________ Payment:

Check Enclosed

Visa

Mastercard

Credit Card No. ________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________ CVV Code____________ Signature ______________________________________________________

MAIL TO: Maine Farmland Trust, 97 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915 Maine Farmland Trust is a non-profit organization; membership dues and donations are tax-deductible.

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

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Recent events & happenings

Purchased Easement Program protects six more farms Maine Fare Held in June, the 2015 local food festival attracted over 3,000

The number of farms utilizing MFT’s new purchased easement program continues to grow.

Since launching the program in 2013, MFT has protected 35 farms totaling 4,469 acres.

attendees to the Belfast waterfront for two days full of good food, and food for thought. Fare-goers explored a marketplace

A FEW OF OUR RECENT PURCHASED EASEMENT PROJECTS:

offering prepared foods and products made exclusively with Maine ingredients, enjoyed cooking demos and hands-on DIY classes with some of Maine’s finest chefs and food artisans,

Springdale Farm

and listened to a keynote by US Representative Chellie Pingree.

Lois Whitman and her late husband Colby bought Springdale Farm in Waldo

The event was co-hosted with Penobscot East Resource Center.

in 1951. Over 60 years later, Lois decided to honor the family’s farming legacy

Photo by Lily Piel.

by protecting 488 acres with an easement. Today, Lois’s granddaughter Carrie

Farm Party at Dooryard Farm

manages the farm, producing milk, rose veal, pork, beef, lamb, and highbush

MFT threw a mid-summer party at Dooryard Farm to celebrate the revitalization of the farm. The farm, formerly known as

blueberries. Lois continues to be involved in the farm, raising the calves and nurturing award-winning replacement heifers.

Rokes Farm, was protected in 2013, thanks to a joint fundraising campaign with Maine Coast Heritage Trust. The easement made the property more affordable for young farmers Cooper Funk and Marina Sideris, who have given the farm new life

Peaked Mountain Farm Gail and Dan VanWart of Peaked Mountain Farm closed on a purchased ease-

growing mixed vegetables for local markets. More than 125

ment in September that will protect their 172 acres of wild blueberry fields in

area residents came out to tour the farm and enjoy live music,

Dedham. The farm has been in Gail’s family since the 1800s, and the VanWarts

Harvest Moon pizza, and a robust potluck.

currently produce MOFGA certified organic fresh-pack and frozen wild blue-

Unity Food Hub Grand Opening

demonstration farm for pollinator enhancement practices.

Unity Food Hub held a Grand Opening in early October. Over

berries for local markets. The VanWarts are working to turn the property into a

100 local residents gathered to explore the renovated building, purchase local farm products in the retail space, and learn about the renovation and future functions of the Hub. Local

Ellis Farm

Chef Frank Giglio christened the kitchen and prepared appe-

Barbara Ellis was inspired to protect her farm after her neighbors, Steve and

tizers using ingredients sourced through the Hub. The Hub is

Judy Bennett, worked with MFT in 2014 to put an easement on their farm. But

open to customers every Thursday 4-6PM, and is available to

what convinced Barbara was the fact that the Bennett’s daughter Erin, and her

rent for classes, meetings, and other community functions.

young family, wanted to buy the Ellis Farm, ensuring that it would not only stay available for farmland, but also be actively farmed. Erin and her family plan to

Farmland Access Conference

expand their sugaring operation and manage the woodlot for firewood.

In October, MFT convened a conference focused on one of the biggest challenges facing farmers today: farmland access and transfer. The event was organized in partnership with American Farmland Trust and Land For Good, and drew over 140 farmland seekers, transitioning farmers, landowners, and service providers for a day of sharing and discussion. Indepth workshops covered complex topics, like farm transfer planning, farmland leases, and innovative land access tools, and were led by regional professionals as well as farmers.

Photo by Jim Hafner, Land for Good 6

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

Alvin Cross Farm Dina-Lee Ford served in the military; Stephen Fleck worked as a contractor.

Now, they’re starting their second career as farmers. The couple recently purchased the 35-acre Alvin Cross Farm in Troy. MFT purchased an easement on the farm, and the funds from the sale of the easement helped Dina and Stephen come up with the financing package they needed to buy the farm. They plan to revive the farm, which has been fallow since 2013, by growing mixed veggies and putting in a small orchard.

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

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grass-fed beef, pigs and laying hens, while selling surplus hay to local markets. They also hope to sell vegetables, eggs and some value-added

Faces of Farms: Animal portraits Call for farm animal photos!

products from the small farm stand

In January and February 2016, the

on the property.

MFT gallery will feature “Faces of Farms,” a series of professional

“This is our dream coming true,” said Corey. “We really are happy to be

animal portraits by photographer and

involved in this because we see land

marketing consultant Catherine Frost.

Throughout 2015, Catherine trav-

getting bought up and quickly commercialized for other purposes every

eled to Maine farms across the state,

day. Farmland is heritage that needs

visiting all manner of livestock.

To complement Catherine’s photos,

to stay!”

New life for two farms in Corinna Two of MFT’s latest projects in Penobscot County ensure that 260 acres of farmland will remain working farmland.

1The Titus Martin Farm encompasses approximately 204 acres. The Martin family operated a dairy farm there for a decade. They sold the

Veggies For All poised for new growth As the growing season comes to a close, Veggies For All is looking ahead to next season, and new growth.

Veggies For All (VFA) is a food bank farm in Unity. Founded in 2007, VFA has grown and distributed over 108,000 pounds of vegetables and engaged hundreds of volunteers in community-based hunger relief. The project currently serves nine food pantries and nearly 1,500 food insecure individuals.

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Gallery Curator Anna Abaldo envisions

Nearby, the 56-acre Libby Farm

The new Titus Martin Farm family. L-R : Corey, Taytum, Ella-Maye, and Cristy Quinn.

was donated to MFT in 2014. The

the downstairs gallery wallpapered

farm to MFT in 2014. MFT protected

property was a subsistence farm for

with portraits of as many of Maine’s

the land with an easement, and sold

many years, and the owners wanted

farm animals as possible. Send your

the farm to farmers Cristy and Corey

to see it continue as an active farm,

best close-ups of your favorite farm

Quinn in summer 2015.

and support MFT’s work.

animals

The Quinns both grew up on family farms in Maine. They had been operating CnC Ranch in Charleston where

we want to see them all!

High-resolution photos can be sent

1The farm was recently sold to a lo-

to anna@mainefarmlandtrust.org no

cal farmer, with an easement in place.

later than December 20, 2015. Please

The new farmer has plans to

they raised and sold pig breeding

improve the existing fields for forage

include farm name, town, and the

stock.

crops, and possibly reclaim some

animal’s name if you know it. •

At their new home in Corinna, the Quinns plan to expand their livestock

former fields that have grown into

Norwegian Fjord horses at Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro. Photo by Catherine Frost.

forest. •

operation, increasing production of

Since becoming a project of MFT

capacity to serve our community in

in 2014, VFA has worked to perfect

an ongoing, sustainable way,” said

its model, and lay a firm foundation

Veggies For All Director Sara Trun-

for growth beyond Unity.

zo. “Specifically, the purchase of key

VFA recently received significant

equipment will allow us to improve

grants from the Elmina B. Sewall

the efficiency and productivity of our

Foundation and the John T. Gorman

agricultural operations, which trans-

Foundation. Funding from both grants

lates to more hunger relief.”

will be used to support VFA’s opera-

As VFA continues to hone its suc-

tions, strengthen pathways to engage

cessful food bank farm model with

food insecure clients, increase the

this grant funding, Trunzo is consid-

quantity and variety of local foods

ering ways to expand VFA’s local food

available to clients, and integrate

access work across the state, per-

food security into MFT’s broader

haps by replicating the model in other

work.

communities, or providing technical

“VFA will now have an increased

assistance to similar projects. •

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

Small Works Holiday Show NOV 20 - JAN 4

Looking for the perfect gift?

Find unique, artful gifts for all at our Gallery in downtown Belfast!

Art of all types Jewelery Books Films & 2015 Gallery Posters featuring artist Sheep Jones

97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org

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