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NEWSLETTER
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Volume 15 , No. 2
PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME
97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915
Fall/Winter 2016
phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: mainefarmlandtrust.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Beal has been working for MFT since
Food Vision, a highly regarded and widely
early 2015, most recently as vice presi-
referenced study that identified how New
dent. She came to MFT having worked
England could grow far more of its own
previously on a wide variety of agricultural
food, and the important role Maine could
issues as a policy advocate, a researcher,
play in this effort.
and the manager of a retail food store
Beal holds a masters degree from
that supported numerous local farms. She
Tufts University, where she attended
has also been instrumental in securing
the Agriculture, Food and Environment
the future of her family’s dairy farm in
program, and is in the process of com-
Litchfield, by helping to design a process
pleting a dissertation for a PhD in Natural
to transition the farm from one generation
Resources from the University of New
to the next, enabling her youngest brother
Hampshire.
to acquire and run the farm.
Amanda Beal takes the helm at MFT
In This Issue:
Page 01: New president & Dostie Farm Page 02: Maine Harvest Bucks Success & New Vice President of Programs Page 03: Purchased Easement Program protects 16 more farms
Amanda Beal, who grew up on a Maine dairy farm to become a leader on agricul-
Page 04: New in the store & Farming for Wholesale
tural issues in Maine and beyond, is the
Page 05: Where art and agriculture intersect
new president and CEO of MFT.
Page 06: Recent events & happenings
Beal has chaired the board
skills and experience to serve as our next
MOFGA, the Eat Local Foods Coalition
president,” said Taylor Mudge, MFT’s
of Maine, and Cultivating Community—a
board chair. “She is a rare person who
Portland-based nonprofit that operates
combines practical experience in farming
community gardens and a pioneering pro-
with a deep knowledge of where farming
gram that supports immigrants who farm.
is headed, and what we need to do to
Among Beal’s many accomplishments
Skowhegan and Fairfield area since 1972. Now, with the help of recent purchased easements, the farm will transfer to the next generation and continue to grow.
The Dosties are currently transi-
tioning from beef cattle to organic dairy,
business can join, go to mainefarmlandtrust.org/business-members/ 97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Three generations of the Dostie family.
realize farming’s full potential.” •
is her role as co-author of A New England
The Dostie family has been farming in the
For a full list of our business members, and to find out how your
ed someone with Amanda’s exceptional
of several key organizations, including
Central Maine farm family working to protect a third property
Thank You to our featured Business Members!
“We are so pleased that we’ve attract-
maple syrup production.
Egide Dostie, a member of MFT,
decided to protect his two farm properties, totalling 604 acres, this past year. One of Egide’s sons is his business partner and his other son also works full-time on the farm. Egide hopes to retire soon, and the purchased easements will allow him to sell the property to his family, who will continue operating the farm.
The Dostie family recently pur-
chased additional acreage in Fairfield, and
under a contract with Stonyfield. They
they’re working with MFT to protect that
also tap over 4,000 trees every year for
property as well.•
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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