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97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915 · 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: mainefarmlandtrust.org
Volume 13, No. 2
PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME
Winter, 2014
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In This Issue: Page 01: Stewardship
Page 02: Unity Food Hub Supports Farmers Page 03: New Program has Protected 18 Farms Page 04: New Film Highlights Farming’s Opportunities, Challenges Page 05: Mainstreaming Local Food to Institutions & Land For Maine's Supports Three Projects Page 06: Annual Meeting Celebrates 15 Years of Growth, Success
Stewardship
A relationship built to last, and deepen
farmers get to ask questions, share suc-
that extends beyond a standard checklist.
cesses or concerns, and show us pieces of
In MFT’s new film, Growing Local, farmer Taryn Marcus muses: “A relation-
the properties they cherish. MFT’s relationship with a farmer lasts
land that MFT has protected with agricul-
time... Austin [the previous owner] poured
connection to the land remains long after
tural conservation easements. But there’s
his blood, sweat and tears into it... and
that, a continuous thread that helps en-
a part of our work that is less-celebrated,
now we’re pouring our blood, sweat, and
sure the farm will be cared for forever. •
but utterly essential to farmland protec-
tears into it. And it’s almost like, the more
tion: Stewardship.
people who do that, the more beautiful it
we hold easements. Put simply, our job is
EXCLUSIVE Dahlov Ipcar holiday cards from her book My Wonderful Christmas Tree!
ship between humans and the land, and
until the property passes on. But MFT’s
stewardship of over 100 farms on which
Fun fiber art in the holiday show, small gifts, books, MFT hats, gift memberships and
relationship with each farmer. In turn, the
ship with the land takes a really long
This newsletter often showcases farm-
Each year, MFT staff monitors the
Support Maine Farmland Trust by purchasing gifts from our online store and at our Gallery in Belfast.
taining a complex and balanced relation-
is.” By virtue of their work, farmers develop intimate knowledge of the land and
to make sure that the farm is respecting
their place on that land. MFT also plays
the legal terms of the easement. We walk
a central role. We may not literally “pour
the property boundaries, look at the active
blood, sweat, and tears” into the land as
agricultural areas and farmstead area, and
many farmers do; but as the easement
note any major changes, new buildings,
holder, we are part of that relationship be-
or activities.
tween farmer and land. We love seeing how
But our role doesn’t end there. With working farms, stewardship is about main-
the land changes, and how farms grow and develop. We use our visits to deepen our
97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
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the “multi-farm CSA” is already operating through two vehicles. First, the Hub has taken over MFT’s “Community Farm Share” program, which provides local vegetables, dry goods, dairy and meats at reduced cost to almost 150 incomeeligible families. Second, the Hub recently kicked-off a new “Workplace CSA” program, where it delivers similar products to interested employees at a few local businesses—with plans to expand this program significantly in the future.
Unity Food Hub Supports Local Farmers “What’s happening with that old building?” Just about anyone who has come through the Central Maine town of Unity in the past six months has thought this, because a prominently-located old grammar school, vacant for over 40 years, is now being brought back to life. That building, scheduled to be fully renovated by spring 2015, will hold the Unity Food Hub. But the new business has already begun to move local farm products.
The term “food hub” is used in so many ways that it can be confusing. A food hub can take many forms and undertake many functions, including large-scale processing and distribution. The Unity Food Hub has been conceived on a smaller scale, a place where the products from about 25 small farms could be brought, washed, sorted, and stored to make those products ready for sale to new markets. The Unity Food Hub will move products in two primary ways: 1) through a “multi-farm CSA” that delivers to individuals at various sites throughout the region; and 2) through sales to various Central Maine institutions. Though major institutional sales will need to wait until the new facility is open,
The Unity Food Hub is a for-profit business. At present, it operates as a subsidiary of MFT, because local farmers wanted MFT to take the lead and put-up the initial capital; but MFT hopes to “spinoff” the business to new owners within 3-5 years, aiming to sell it to participating farmers or to an entrepreneur who is committed to running it in service to those farmers. However, for as long as the Unity Food Hub is connected to MFT, it will be run with full transparency, sharing strategies, financial statements, and operational practices. In this way, the Hub will not only support Unity area farms, but also advance other initiatives that aim to support Maine farms.•
The Unity area is one of many regions that have seen a re-birth of small farms that sell direct, primarily through farmers markets or CSAs. But increasingly, these farms need additional markets to keep growing. Four years ago, MFT began a project designed to support Unity area farmers, and we clearly heard that they wanted a facility that could aggregate products from multiple farms. After in-depth business planning, the Unity Food Hub was born. 2
97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
Staff & Board Board of Directors William Bell, Secretary, Saco Paul Birdsall, Penobscot Neil Crane, Exeter Julia Dodge, Rockport Walter Fletcher, Pittsfield Eleanor Kinney, Bremen James Lawrence, Rockport Frank Miles, Treasurer, Cape Elizabeth Susan Morris, Vice Chair, Waldoboro Taylor Mudge, Chair, Camden Steve Page, Searsmont Cecily Pingree, North Haven Henry Whittemore, Readfield Advisory Council Chris Hamilton, Whitefield James P. Hastings, Skowhegan Bambi Jones, Alna Jo D. Saffeir, Pownal Arthur Thompson, Presque Isle Adrian Wadsworth, North Turner Staff Anna Abaldo, Gallery Adam Bishop, Land Protection Erica Buswell, Land Protection Andrea Denny, Database Alex Fouliard, Outreach Mike Gold, Farm Viability Shannon Grimes, Intern 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 Pippa Stanley, Land Protection Rachel Taker, Executive Assistant Matthew Tremblay, Farm Viability Sara Trunzo, Veggies For All Kristin Varnum, Vice President and CFO Jamie Wood, Outreach Reeve Wood, Legal Counsel Nina Young, Land Protection
Our work depends on the generosity of individual members and donors. Please join us.
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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, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
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Annual Meeting Celebrates 15 Years of Growth, Success
ferred to new farmers. And MFT’s Farm
planning services may help another farmer
Viability program has now supported 91
operate profitably. “We are making a real
farmers with services ranging from busi-
difference one farm at a time,” said Piotti.
ness planning to market development.
recognized by others. MFT has become a national leader in combining “farmland
Over 150 fervent supporters of farming
MFT’s Buy/Protect/Sell program and new
good company, and good conversation
innovative models worthy of replication.
Held this year at the Chewonki Foundation
MFT has pioneered income-producing ac-
in Wiscasset, the event also included a tour of Chewonki’s farm and a screening of MFT’s new film, Growing Local. MFT’s annual meeting provided a special opportunity to reflect on the past 15
land and provided critical services to over 400 farmers. MFT’s FarmLink program has now made 111 links—that’s 111 Maine farms that have been successfully trans-
Duckback Farm Last June, MFT purchased an easement from Sanna McKim, protecting 16 acres of prime
tivities, such as its gallery and real estate
farmland in Belfast, and making it possible for Bennett Konesni and Edith Gawler to then
arm, and has successfully used films,
buy the property. The couple plan to build their farm overtime. They will start by cultivating a
books, and talks to raise public awareness.
handful of crops that are low maintenance, including garlic and strawberries, so that they can
In 2009, MFT was recognized as the best
continue to also pursue their music and design aspirations.
nonprofit of its size in Maine. In 2013, Pi-
years. Founded in 1999, MFT has grown
MFT has protected 40,000 acres of farm-
A few recent projects:
Purchased Easement program are seen as
at MFT’s annual meeting on November 6.
and an impressive set of accomplishments.
Since launching its Purchased Easement program in late 2013, MFT has closed on 18 projects totaling 2,271 acres, including many projects that have enabled beginning farmers to acquire new properties.
protection” with “farm viability,” while
in Maine enjoyed an evening of good food,
fast, now boasting over 5,000 members
MFT’s work has been increasingly
New Program has Protected 18 Farms
otti was named one of the “50 people who But these numbers do not tell the full story. As MFT’s President John Piotti said at the event, simply knowing that MFT has
have done the most for Maine,” in recognition of his accomplishments at MFT. What about the next 15 years? If the
helped hundreds of farmers doesn’t con-
past is any indication, MFT will continue
vey how MFT’s land protection efforts may
to advance farming in ways that are highly
help a particular beginning farmer buy the
creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial.
land she wants, or how MFT’s business
Maine’s farmers deserve no less. •
Bennett Farm Three generations of the Bennett Family came to the final closing of a purchased easement that protects 372 acres in Freedom. At present, the Bennetts raise livestock and make maple syrup, but the younger generations are full of new ideas for the future.
Songbird Farm Johanna Davis and Adam Nordell have been farming on leased land in Starks for several years. When the owner of Green Earth Gardens in Unity listed the 41-acre farm for sale on FarmLink, the young couple jumped at the chance to be closer to family, friends, and their markets in the Midcoast. But without MFT helping out by purchasing an easement, Johanna and Adam would not have been able to meet the owner’s price.
Atwell Farm MFT purchased an easement on Lynda and Gerry Atwell’s property in Searsmont, making the land more affordable for incoming farmers Hubert McCabe and Sarah Tompkins, who intend to cultivate mixed vegetables and raise pigs and sheep.
Stone Fox Farm MFT purchased an easement protecting Bruce and Kathy Chamberlain’s 63-acre farm in Monroe. The farm is home to their ice cream business, Stone Fox Farm Creamery, which uses local ingredients, including milk from neighboring Hilltop Farm. For now, the Chamberlains plan to continue to focus on their growing ice cream business. Someday, they intend to sell their farm to young farmers who will cultivate the land more intensively. When they do, the agricultural easement will ensure that the property is more affordable. 6
97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
3
New Film Highlights Farming’s Opportunities, Challenges
but also making cheese as a new way
and Taryn dream of the day that they
forward, one that may help the farm be
may own the property; yet at present,
more profitable.
they have little security to show for all
Ben Slayton is an artisanal butcher, and a new breed of middleman at the
their work. Each story shows both hope and
center of the second story, “Pig Not
success, but also reveals the ever present
Pork.” Ben’s two butcher shops, Farm-
barriers and challenges facing farmers
ers Gate Market in Wales and The Farm
and local food entrepreneurs. These in-
Stand in South Portland, utilize a new
clude: the enormous difficulties inherent
distribution model that connects local
Mainstreaming Local Food to Institutions
Conference brings new ideas and stakeholders to the table On October 14, over one hundred farmers, distributors, processors, and institu-
Unity Food Hub. One focus of the conference was on
everyone a little more willing to take the necessary risks. This moves us closer to a
tional representatives gathered at Colby
sharing lessons from an ongoing project
food system that will better serve
College for a conference to explore ways to
called “Mainstreaming.” For the past year,
Maine farms and consumers. •
move more local food into institutions. The
this project has been working to create
in transitioning a farm from one genera-
event was co-organized by MFT and Farm
opportunities through which Maine farm-
farmers and consumers. This kind of
tion to the next; the need for new forms
to Institution New England (FINE). The fa-
ers might position themselves to sell to
infrastructure is necessary for a local
of agricultural infrastructure and new
cilities and food were generously provided
a major “broadline” distributor like PFG/
food economy to thrive. The film points
forms of local food businesses; and the
by Colby College, and Sodexo, which man-
Northcenter, which serves Colby and over a
out the need for forward-looking entre-
realities of how farmers and farming are
ages Colby’s food service.
dozen other Maine institutions.
preneurs like Ben, as well as the need for
often held back by inadequate access to
of Maine’s local food movement, and the
more consumers who are fully commit-
affordable land and capital.
uncertain fate of the farmers and farm-
ted to buying local.
Farming in Maine has a hopeful but uncertain future. A new film, Growing Local, points to both the vibrancy and the growing pains
land that keep it alive. The
And throughout the entire film is the
The third story, “Seeding a Dream,”
recurring point that public and consumer
film is a collaboration between MFT and
showcases young farmers Ben and Taryn
awareness—though so much greater
Bridget Besaw of Seedlight Pictures. It
Marcus of Whitefield. Through bound-
now than ten years ago—is still not all it
recently debuted at the 2014 Camden
less energy and determination, they
needs to be, not if farming in Maine is to
International Film Festival to the gasps,
have revived an old farm and created
realize its full promise.
sighs, and applause of a packed theater.
a new store, Sheepscot General, which
Much of the growth in farming over
has become a centerpiece of the local
Watching Growing Local is a great way to learn more.
the past decade has been in smaller
community. And yet, they do not own the
farms that raise a variety of crops or live-
land they farm or the store they operate.
big and small, all over the state. Informa-
stock for direct sale locally, often through
They have been lucky that the landowner
farm stands, farmers markets, or rela-
is accommodating and generous. Ben
MFT will screen the film in venues
Maine farmers are increasingly selling
Another focus was on discussing the
to colleges, hospitals, and other institu-
myriad of barriers that need to be over-
tions. Colby College, for instance, now
come to see more growth. Institutions
purchases over 20% of their food from
have shown that they are committed by
local farmers, making it a statewide leader.
paying more for local products, but are
Though this is great to see, many feel
still limited by price and budget. Likewise,
that with the right strategies and support,
farmers are beginning to test the waters,
Maine institutions could be buying even
but are not yet sure that selling wholesale
more local food.
to institutions will prove practical or profit-
Clara Coleman delivered the keynote ad-
able. Beyond this, there’s still a lack of
dress, which highlighted how season-exten-
local infrastructure, including processing
tion about upcoming screenings can be
sion techniques could serve institutional
or aggregation facilities, which could help
found on MFT’s website. •
markets. Daughter of agricultural innova-
increase the flow of local product.
tionships with select stores or restau-
tor Eliot Coleman, Clara is an expert on
rants. There is opportunity for farming
“four-season farming,” providing consulting
Conferences like this help make each stakeholder more aware of the needs of
of this type— known as “local ag”—to
assistance to numerous Maine farmers,
the others. This increases transparency
thrive, but that is far from inevitable.
including two who are involved in the new
and establishes trust, which in turn makes
Land for Maine’s Future Supports Three Farmland Projects
Turner serves as a real community re-
be protected by MFT for agricultural use
source, providing local customers with
and sold to a local farmer. (No LMF funds
milk, eggs, meat, and vegetables. LMF
were used to protect the farmland, but if
The film contains three short vignettes, each focusing on a different challenge hindering the growth of local ag and the broader local food movement. This first story, “Changing Hands,” visits one of Maine’s oldest organic dairy farms, Rocky Ridge in Litchfield, at an uncertain time of transition. Richard Beal hopes to pass the farm along to his son, Adam. Together they struggle to find a way to transition the farm with-
Three MFT projects have recently been
out putting either of them into crush-
granted funds from the Land for Maine’s
ing debt—a huge challenge given the
Future program (LMF). Funded through
economic realities of commodity milk
voter-approved bonds, LMF plays a critical
production. Richard’s daughter, Amanda,
4
a sustainable food systems consultant,
role in a variety of conservation projects,
raises the prospect of not only milking,
including farmland projects. • The 177-acre Nezinscot Farm in 97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
funds will allow Gloria and Gregg Varney
LMF funds had not been available for the
to re-invest in their farm, and make it
woodland, the overall project would never
possible to someday pass on it on to their
have happened.)
children. • The 1790s Weston Homestead in
• The Wormell Farm is a 78-acre organic dairy farm in Cumberland Center, an
Madison is comprised of a historic house
area of intense development pressure. An
on 8 acres, 53 acres of fields, and 282
easement here is essential to keeping the
acres of forest. LMF funds will ensure that
land in agriculture and in the family. The
the forest will be protected by Somerset
Wormells will use LMF funds to invest in
Woods Trustees for wildlife habitat, work-
their dairy herd and farm infrastructure.•
ing forest, and public use. The fields will
97 Main Street, Belfast, Maine · 207.338.6575 · mainefarmlandtrust.org
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