NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
NEWSLETTER
PAID
Volume 16 , No. 1
PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME
97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915
Spring/Summer 2017
phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: mainefarmlandtrust.org
MFT has been given an exciting oppor-
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tunity to help make sure that farming remains a cornerstone of our economic landscape -- but it comes with a challenge. In 2015, a very generous donor who recognizes the difficulties surrounding protecting farmland pledged $16 million to protect farms and help farmers thrive. But in order to access those funds, MFT must raise a matching $16 million between now and 2020. To do so will not be easy, but that’s what’s needed to alter the trajectory of farm-
It Starts with the Land campaign presents an opportunity, and a challenge
In This Issue:
Page 01: It Starts with the Land & New Member Month Page 02: Farmland Protection
pressure is increasing in parts of Maine, causing land prices to swell to levels that are often prohibitive for farmers.
Yet, there are also many
reasons to be excited for the potential of farming in Maine, in spite of these
Page 03: Farmland Access Page 04: Farm Viability Page 05: Gallery & Joseph A. Fiore Art Center Page 06: Summer Events
Thank You to our featured Business Members!
For a full list of our business members, and to find out how your business can join, go to mainefarmlandtrust.org/business-members/
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Over 400,000 acres of Maine’s farm-
challenges. Increasingly, Maine grown
land, representing nearly 1/3 of our cur-
food is celebrated and our farmland is
rent land in farms, will change hands
seen as a major key to Maine becom-
this decade as many of Maine’s farm-
ing the “food basket” for New England,
land owners age and retire. According
while building a vibrant food and farm
to new data from American Farmland
economy that serves all of us. But while
Trust, 92% of Maine farmers over the
this is more than possible, it is not
age of 65 do not have identified suc-
inevitable, and it won’t happen without
cessors, a fact that underlines the risk
all of us working together.
that much of our state’s farmland could
transition out of farming as it transfers
we need to make sure that our farmland
from one generation to the next.
will be available to support our growing
food economy. Now is the time to invest
This startling correlation
To maximize Maine’s potential,
also has implications for the future of
in the next generation of farming by
Maine’s food security and our economic
protecting more farmland and helping
vitality, as Maine farms contribute more
farms develop smart business models,
than $700 million to the state’s econ-
access new markets, extend growing
omy. At the same time, development
seasons, and find farmland.
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
ing’s future here.
This tremendous gift is a reflec-
tion of the many years of hard work that all of you -- MFT’s members and supporters -- have dedicated to protecting farmland and supporting farmers. This is our chance to have a significant, lasting impact. While we’re on our way in raising the match, we still have a ways to go. To realize the full power of this transformative gift, we need everyone to pitch in to support the future of farming. Every bit helps, and we simply can’t do it without you.•
JULY is NEW MEMBER MONTH Our members care about Maine’s rural economy, and the environment. They are farmers, eaters, conservationists, policymakers, parents, artists, community-builders, foodies, and people who love Maine. JOIN US! 1