NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
NEWSLETTER
PAID
Volume 18, No. 2
PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME
Fall /Winter 2019
97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915 phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: mainefarmlandtrust.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
A Vision for the Future MFT adopts a five-year strategic plan
In This Issue:
Page 01: A Vision for the Future Page 02: Farmland Protection Page 03: Policy Page 04: Farm Viability Page 05: Fiore Art Center Page 06: Outreach Page 07: MFT Happenings
Thank You to our featured Business Members!
GIVE your year-end gift! mainefarmlandtrust.org/donate-now
We can’t do this work without you.
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
For the past two decades, we have worked with farmers and partners to protect critical farmland, supported farmers by helping them get on the land and grow strong businesses, and advocated for the important role farms play in our communities. As we look to the future, we know that our vision of a thriving agricultural landscape, where farms feed our economy, steward our natural resources, and nourish our communities, is possible, but it’s not inevitable. We’re at a critical turning point right now. According to the USDA Agricultural census, between 2012 and 2017, Maine lost 10% of its farmlandthat’s over 145,000 acres of pastureland, cropland, woodland and other agricultural land that is no longer being used by Maine farms. Development pressure is increasing in some parts of the state, and Maine farmers are nearing retirement without younger farmers working alongside them. Both new and established farmers face challenges in affording and accessing the land and tools they need to grow thriving businesses.
In 2019, we spent time listening to farmers and partners across the state, and in response, we’ve outlined an ambitious plan to accelerate the pace and scale of our work to meet the most pressing challenges facing Maine farms today. Over the next five years, we will re-focus our work to affect change in four important areas:
Thriving Farms
We envision a future where farmers can grow successful businesses with access to the land, markets, and support they need to thrive now and in the future. Our farmland is a precious and limited resource, and it’s the foundation for a strong agricultural economy. We need to protect Maine’s farmland and keep the land in farming by connecting new farmers to the land, supporting the transition of farms to the next generation, and helping farmers meet their business goals.
Healthy, Vibrant Communities
We envision a future where Maine communities value farms as essential to the overall health of people, the economy, and the environment, and to fostering a sense of place. Our communities thrive when farms of all scales and types are profitable and valued for what they provide – healthy food and farm products, open space, economic and environmental benefits, and community character.
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Stewardship + Climate We envision a future where farmers are integral to caring for Maine’s natural resources and can proactively respond to a changing climate. Maine farmers have long been stewards of the land, soil, water, and natural resources that we all depend upon. As our climate continues to change, farmers are on the frontlines and need to be prepared to adapt to unpredictable weather, storms, drought, and increases in pests and disease.
Equity + Inclusion
We envision a future where we understand how diversity, equity, and inclusion intersect with our work and with Maine’s farm and food systems, and work to eliminate inequity. We know that in order to create lasting and positive change within Maine’s food and farm systems, MFT needs to better understand the ways in which our work interfaces with these foundational issues. Maine has all the ingredients needed to grow a thriving, healthy farm and food economy that nourishes the land and our communities for generations to come. It’s up to all of us to work together to create the future we want for our farms, our communities, and our regional food system. Learn more on our website: mainefarmlandtrust.org 1
FARMLAND PROTECTION
MFT HAPPENINGS
Farmland Protection program protects 9 more farms
Who we are
Since our founding in 1999, we have permanently protected 301 farms, and have helped to keep over 60,000 acres of farmland in farming from York County to The County through our protection and viability programs.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A FEW OF OUR RECENT FARMLAND PROTECTION PROJECTS:
Moulton Orchard, Standish Young farmers Alyssa Marchant and Jake Dube purchased Moulton Orchard from Peter and Susan Moulton, while MFT simultaneously purchased an easement, ensuring that the 99-acre farm will never be developed. Peter and Susan were committed to protecting their farm and finding new farmers to revitalize the orchard. After several false starts, they found Alyssa and Jake through our Maine FarmLink program.
3 Level Farm, South China
STAFF
Christopher Hahn and Kim Patnode closed on an easement to protect 3 Level Farm. Their farm is comprised of 140 acres of communally farmed land, where the farmers produce a wide variety of nutritious food for their Kennebec County community, including vegetables, herbs, goat cheese, fruits, flowers, shiitake mushrooms and more.
Anna Abaldo, Gallery & Fiore Art Center Charlie Baldwin, Land Protection Marcella Bernard, Philanthropy Adam Bishop, Land Protection Erica Buswell, VP of Programs Erin Cavallaro, Philanthropy Kat Champigny, Philanthropy April Costa, Stewardship Andrea Denny, Database David Dewey, Fiore Art Center Catherine Durkin, Farm Viability Abby Farnham, Farm Viability Alex Fouliard, Farm Viability Chris Franklin, Land Protection Karen Giles, Gallery Caroline Ginsberg, Membership Rachel Grant, Finance Manager Ellen Griswold, Policy & Research Caitlin Hopkins, Land Protection Rachel Keidan, Outreach Sue Lanpher, FarmLink Andrew Marshall, Wang Fellow Lyndsey Marston, Stewardship LouAnna Perkins, Senior Legal Counsel Meghan Quinn, Outreach Tricia Rouleau, Land Protection Ellen Sabina, Outreach Kim Sanborn, Office Assistant Brett Sykes, Land Protection Bill Toomey, President & CEO Kristin Varnum, Vice President & CFO Kyle Warren, Stewardship Reeve Wood, Legal Counsel Nina Young, Land Protection & MFR
Toddy Pond Farm, Monroe MFT closed on an easement to protect a 350-acre portion of Toddy Pond Farm. Farmers Greg and Heide Puriton-Brown make yogurts, cheeses, meats and honey, and host popular farm dinners in the summer. In addition to ensuring that the fields and forest of their farm will remain available for agricultural use into the future, this easement also preserves over a mile of waterfront along Toddy Pond.
Thirty Acre Farm, Bremen An easement was closed on 39 acres of farmland on Broad Cove in Bremen. The land will be cultivated by the farmers of Thirty Acre Farm to grow vegetables for their fermented krauts and hot sauce, and will also be home to their new processing facility. Dirt Capital Partners, a farmland investment company, purchased the property and will lease it to the farmers, who will eventually purchase the land. This is MFT’s third project with Dirt Capital.
Spencer Farm, Freedom The Spencer family closed on an agricultural conservation easement to protect their 334-acre organic dairy farm. The family has been farming this land along Belfast Road since the 1980’s, primarily using the fields to support their organic dairy operation. Dave Spencer is in the process of passing his farm on to his daughter and is happy to know the land will remain available for agriculture forever. 2
William Bell, Saco Jason Bolton, Orono Stacy Brenner, Scarborough Dave Colson, Durham Neil Crane, Exeter Meredith Eilers, Vice Chair, Bowdoinham Walter Fletcher, Pittsfield Eleanor Kinney, Bremen James Lawrence, Rockport Frank Miles, Cape Elizabeth Susan Morris, Waldoboro Taylor Mudge, Chair, Camden Steve Page, Secretary, Bremen Jon Olson, Mt. Vernon Henry Whittemore, Treasurer, Readfield
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Frank Miles to step down after 20 years Frank Miles is one of the original instigators of MFT and a founding board member. After serving on our board and helping to guide the organization for 20 years, Frank will be stepping down at the end of 2019. We interviewed Frank to hear about his hopes and reflections as he moves on to new adventures in New Hampshire.
What are you most proud of as you look back on your 20 years with MFT?
I am most proud of the easements we have on farmland... Our farm and farmer viability programs, beginning farmer support, business plans, FarmLink, and all the ways we help farmers stay in business are equally critical. Farms that are profitable and keep farmers in business protect themselves and don’t necessarily need easement protection.
How do you see MFT supporting the future of farming?
I think the work we do on farmland access and the work we should do more of, helping farmland succession, are critical for Maine’s agricultural future. People my age, in their late 70s and 80s, own a significant amount of Maine farmland that they would like to transfer to family or other farmers. That generational transfer is key to maintaining the vigor of Maine farming.
What will you miss most about living in Maine?
I will miss the wonderful staff that makes MFT the fine working organization it is. I will miss the many personal relationships I’ve been fortunate to have in Maine’s agricultural community. I will also miss the beauty of Maine farmland and rural villages and towns.
Anything else you’d like to add?
MFT’s success over the past twenty years surpasses anything that most of the founding board of directors envisioned. That success comes from the initiative and hard work of our staff and the support of our members and funders. In order to succeed in the future, we need to be a “learning” organization. Maine’s economy and changing climate will demand creativity and new ways of protecting Maine farms and farmers.
MFT awarded accreditation MFT is pleased to announce we have become an accredited land trust by The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation, awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation. It indicates that a land trust has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions, and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve. Recognition as an accredited land trust signals that MFT adheres to best practices on the ground and in-house, and have a third party holding us accountable. MFT joins over 400 accredited land conservation organizations around the country that are united by strong ethical practices, a commitment to sound transactions, and the stewardship of the land.
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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OUTREACH
POLICY
Events
Farmland and Solar Development
In June we visited farms across the state on a Listening Tour and made some new friends.
We ended our tour with a celebration of farm viability at Ripley Farm in Dover-Foxcroft.
Recently-enacted legislation encourages a significant increase in solar development in Maine on an expedited timeline. As a result, solar developers are racing to secure potential sites for solar installations, including on agricultural land near transmission infrastructure. MFT supports renewable energy production on farms as long as it does not significantly diminish the potential for agricultural production. On-site energy production can support the economic viability of a farm operation, reduce energy costs, and is important for addressing climate change. However, solar development in the state should not result in the loss of important agricultural lands or impede the ability of farmers to access land. MFT believes solar generation and agriculture can co-exist in Maine in a mutually beneficial manner as long as solar siting is structured to ensure the appropriate balance of these important interests. To ensure that balance, MFT staff developed our own solar siting guidelines that have helped to inform the work of an external Solar Siting Working Group composed of solar developers, and agricultural and environmental organizations. The Working Group is focused on ensuring positive solar siting efforts in Maine through the creation of educational resources, siting guidance materials, and methods of promoting well-sited projects. MFT also created an information sheet that outlines important considerations and issues for farmers and farmland owners who are considering leasing land for solar development. Find our Info Sheet for Farmland Owners and the Solar Siting Guidelines on our website: mainefarmlandtrust.org/farmland-and-solar-development
Members enjoyed yoga at Alna Hopyard, taught by our Membership Director, Caroline.
This fall we celebrated our 20th year and the bright future ahead with members and friends!
Introducing the Maine Farms Podcast!
presents
MAINE FARMS
PODCAST
This summer, MFT intern and Bowdoin student, Diego Velasquez, produced six pilot episodes of the Maine Farms Podcast. Diego interviewed farmers around the state on two timely topics: Farm Succession, and the intersection of Farming and Climate Change. The podcast explores both of these issues through candid conversations with Maine farmers. Tune in to the episodes on our website: mainefarmlandtrust.org/ maine-farms-podcast
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In the Gallery Small Works Holiday Show November 12-January 10
A Modern Archaeology of Maine’s Small Farms January 21-March 20
2019 Fiore Art Center Residents Show March 30-June 12
97 Main Street, Belfast M-F 9 am - 4 pm
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Research efforts underway for Natural Climate Solutions Initiative In recent years, land-based natural climate solutions have emerged as an important strategy to increase climate change resilience on farms and in our communities, while also improving farm profitability. Natural climate solutions include farmland protection, healthy soils practices, and other land management practices that increase carbon storage, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and improve water quality. These solutions can be adopted by farmers with operations of all sizes and production methods and can even contribute to the financial viability of a farm, helping to both increase yields and save money over time. MFT is leading the Maine Climate Table’s Natural Climate Solutions Initiative (NCSI), in collaboration with the University of Maine, American Farmland Trust, Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, and other partners. The NCSI will analyze the benefits, barriers, and opportunities associated with wide-scale adoption of natural climate solutions by farmers in Maine. This research will continue through next year and will be presented to and inform the work of the Maine Climate Council’s Natural and Working Lands Working Group, which includes MFT’s Policy and Research Director, Ellen Stern Griswold. 97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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FARM VIABILITY
FIORE ART CENTER Meet our 2019 Fiore Art Center Residents Maine FarmLink: Seeking farms + farmers! Are you looking for a farm? Are you looking to transition your farm to someone new? Maine FarmLink, a program of MFT, is a linking service that helps connect people who are seeking farmland, with farmland owners (or their representatives) who are looking to sell, lease, or work out non-traditional tenure arrangements, based on their respective interests, needs, and goals. FarmLink can help guide farm seekers towards the farm they are looking for. We can provide the resources and info needed to start you on your new farm tenure journey. Learn more on the Maine FarmLink website: mainefarmlink.org Questions? Email Sue: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org
Eleanor Conover made paintings and drawings in response to the texture, light and architecture of the farmland and nearby granite quarries.
Tracey Cockrell recorded sounds on nearby farms and pressed papyrus from Laurie’s garden, all of which will become sculptural sound installations.
Genevieve Cohn pulled from her resident community and the landscape to paint communities of women building nest-like structures in the natural world.
Sara Trunzo’s country songs draw on stories from Maine’s dairy farms, poultry plants, seasonal tourism trade and even Uncle Henry’s magazine.
Dr. Sonja Birthisel danced her way through writing up results from her research on weed management and climate change.
j.e. paterak began a collection of works on paper highlighting the unique beauty and morphology of plants of this region - what she calls the “intimate universe”.
Tessa G. O’Brien transposed her observations of light in the field & barn through a variety of mediums, including oils, acrylics, watercolor, and gouache.
Mildred Bachrach embraced the residency as a gift of time to make art that reflected upon the state of the earth and the stewardship needed for the land.
Farm Fresh Rewards seeks new outlets MFT’s Farm Fresh Rewards program provides additional money for low-income shoppers to purchase more locally-grown fruits and vegetables at participating stores. Farm Fresh Rewards serves everyone: low-income shoppers can buy more locally-produced food; Maine farmers gain new customers; and more food dollars stay in the local economy. We currently partner with 20 stores across the state to offer the program - from food co-ops, to natural food stores, to on-farm stores - and we are looking for new locations! Do you know of a community-oriented store in your area that sells locally-produced foods and accepts SNAP/EBT (food stamps)? We want to hear about it! Please send any recommendations to catherine@mainefarmlandtrust.org and we can follow-up with the store to find out if it could be a good fit. Check out farmfreshrewards.org for a list of participating locations.
Farming for Wholesale Farming for Wholesale helps farmers participate in, or scale up for, wholesale markets. We combine ongoing farm business planning assistance with day-long workshops and grant opportunities.
A Note from Co-Directors, Anna & David
Farming for Wholesale 101: This track is for experienced farmers who currently sell wholesale and want to expand, and farmers who want to start selling to wholesale markets.This year, we are offering one workshop series in Portland and one in Orono that is tailored to value-added producers. Register by December 23.
Farming for Wholesale 201: This track is for experienced farmers who currently serve wholesale accounts and are ready to scale up significantly. Farming for Wholesale 201 is a highly-selective, competitive application program. Apply by December 1. Learn more and submit your application at www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/workshops or call the MFT office. 4
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Laurie McDonnell cultivated delight through growing abundant veggies as the season’s resident gardener and sharing meals with the residents.
Michelle Menting worked on poems that consider anew the bucolic and the pastoral, as well as the (dis)connection between human and non-human beings in such environments.
A warm thank you to all members who came out to visit the Fiore Art Center this year at Rolling Acres Farm – either for an open studio day, gallery opening, or for the Summer Dinner. 2019 marked the Center’s 4th year of art & writing residencies and the opening of the new Fiore Wing, housing the entire collection of remaining art by former MFT member and environmentalist, Joseph A. Fiore. This year, the Center piloted an academic writing residency focused on farming and climate change – an initiative and focus area we will continue to build on. Applications for the 2020 residencies will open this winter. More information: mainefarmlandtrust.org/jaf-art-center
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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