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NEWSLETTER
PA I D 97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915 phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
Spring/Summer 2015
Key project combines farmland protection, broader conservation
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Years ago, the Cripps family operated a thriving farm in Camden and Rockport. Now, thanks to a collaborative, multi-faceted project, a good-sized chunk of the original farm property has been permanently protected. By 2011, when MFT got involved, the farm, then owned by the Spear family, was no longer operating, and portions of the original property had been sold for residential and commercial development. The Spear family still retained 129 acres, but needed to sell. MFT purchased this land using a loan secured through Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s (MCHT) Revolving Loan Fund. MFT then partnered with MCHT and the local land trust, Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT), to ensure a use of the property that would both support farming and preserve open space. MFT’s Adam Bishop, who shepherded the project, reflected that it is a terrific example of several conservation partners, each with their own goals, working together to produce an outcome that makes
In This Issue:
Page 01: Spear Farm protected in Camden/Rockport Page 02: Partnership with GWRLT & USDA FINI grant award Page 03: New program has protected 10 more farms Page 04: Policy & Reseach Fellow & Source award Page 05: Paint the Farm & FarmLink Mixers
sense for the land and the community. The project split the property
FRONT 97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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Project partners. L-R: Doug Sensening of CMLT, Adam Bishop of MFT, and Ron Howard of MCHT.
into several distinct parcels, each with a unique purpose: • MFT sold 24 acres of open farm fields to a local farmer. This land is being protected with an agricultural conservation easement funded through the combination of local community fundraising and a federal grant. • Two wooded lots totaling 80 acres, and not suitable for active farming, now have deed restrictions that ensure the parcels cannot be subdivided, providing additional protection to the area’s rural character. • To CMLT, MFT transferred six acres, including a portion of a sugar bush known locally as the Maple Grove. This adds to CMLT’s Simonton Corner Quarry Preserve, enhancing protection of an important historic resource, while
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
enabling continued use of the sugar bush that is tapped by local residents. • Finally, MFT sold MCHT the former auto shop on the property. Nearby Aldermere Farm, which MCHT owns and operates, will use the building for a much-needed hay storage facility. Aldermere currently cuts hay on over 20 local fields, including one of the fields protected by this project. The Spear Farm project knits together other protected properties, not only the Simonton Corner Quarry Preserve, but abutting Rokes Farm (now Dooryard Farm), which MFT and MCHT recently partnered to protect. This creates a wide swath of working lands an important part of the region’s cultural heritage, and its economic future.• 1
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MFT and Great Works Regional Land Trust announce new partnership Launch fundraising to protect multiple farms In December, Paul Lapierre and his
family closed on an agricultural easement on their 69-acre farm in Berwick. The easement was negotiated and funded through a joint effort between Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) and MFT. The Lapierre family’s willingness to sell an easement at a reduced price made the deal possible. The protection of Lapierre Farm marks the beginning of a new partnership between MFT and GWRLT, aiming to protect many farms in York County. MFT and GWRLT just launched a joint fundraising effort designed
MFT plays leadership role creating national program New federal grants will help farmers, low-income consumers One of the bright spots in the 2014 federal Farm Bill was inclusion 2
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to raise $100,000 locally. This is intended to leverage, from various other sources, the hundreds of thousands of additional dollars needed to protect five farms that are initially targeted. Maine entrepreneur Tom Chappell and artist Kate Cheney Chappell kicked-off the campaign with a $10,000 leadership gift. MFT brings to this partnership staff resources and proven fundraising experience, but all the funds raised will flow to GWRLT’s farmland projects. “We’re so excited about partnering with Great Works,” said MFT’s President John Piotti. “Not only will it result in protecting working farms in a part of the state where farms are really threatened, but it represents the kind of multi-project campaign we want to do with other land trusts.” From its founding in 1999, MFT
has provided services and even funding to other land trusts, but it is now determined to do even more to support projects of other groups. “This is a way we can advance farmland protection more broadly, as the future of farming demands,” explained Piotti. •
of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program. FINI aims to help low-income persons buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables, which can be more expensive than less healthy alternatives. By so doing, FINI also increases sales for local farmers. The idea behind FINI grew out of pilot projects in a handful of states, including Maine, where MFT led the way. MFT coordinated the work of several Maine groups that tested how food-insecure persons might be encouraged to shop at a farmers market or join a CSA. USDA recently announced its first round of grants to implement FINI—and two of the grants involve MFT. First, MFT is part of a $3.7 million multi-state grant targeting
farmers markets, which is coordinated by a national organization. Beyond this, MFT is the direct recipient of a $249,816 grant that will target small food retailers. MFT estimates that as a result of just this second grant, Maine farms will likely see sales growth exceeding $1 million. MFT’s Mike Gold attributes the receipt of these grants to MFT’s prior work and success. “Maine has shown that it is ready to make locally-produced food more accessible to more Mainers—and in a state where food insecurity is so high, these grants are a huge step forward,” said Gold.•
Board & Staff 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
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Chris Hamilton, Whitefield James P. Hastings, Skowhegan Bambi Jones, Alna Jo D. Saffeir, Pownal Arthur Thompson, Presque Isle Adrian Wadsworth, North Turner
Our work depends on the generosity of individual members and donors. Please join us.
Membership Categories: Basic - $20
You may also make payments
Individual - $30
toward 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 Rose and Jacob Jokiel pick carrots at their grandfather’s now-protected farm in Berwick. Photo: GWRLT
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Anna Abaldo, Gallery Amanda Beal, Policy and Research Adam Bishop, Land Protection Erica Buswell, Land Protection Andrea Denny, Database Alex Fouliard, Outreach Mike Gold, Farm Viability Shannon Grimes, Intern Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Farm Viability 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
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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, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
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Maine Farmland Trust + Penobscot East Resource Center present Purchased Easement Program protects 10 more farms The number of farms utilizing MFT’s new purchased easement program continues to grow. Since launching the program in 2013, MFT has protected 29 farms totaling 3,450 acres. A FEW OF OUR RECENT PROJECTS:
Maine Fare is a unique annual food festival that brings everyone to the table farmers, fishermen, foodies, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and eaters to celebrate a vibrant and delicious future for food!
Ballard Farm Bruce and Rosemary Ballard bought their farm in St. Albans and Palmyra in 1964. Over fifty years later, the couple have sold an easement, ensuring that their 372 acres
LEARN
will stay farmland forever. For years, the Ballards ran a dairy farm on the property.
• Friday Food for Thought Forum: Meet the Innovators the people and ideas that are transforming Maine’s food system • Saturday Keynote with Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
EXPERIENCE
These days, Bruce raises replacement calves, and sells beef, hay, sweet corn, and eggs. With an easement in place, Bruce and Rosemary can pass along the farm to the next generation without going into debt.
Valle-Vu Farm
• D.I.Y. Classes: Spring Herb Pasta, Crab Cakes, Butchery + more! • Cooking demos with Maine’s finest food artisans and chefs • Seafood Throwdown competition with 2 chefs + 1 mystery fish
Frank Spizuoco is passionate that his 170-acre farm in Ripley stays in agricultural production. Farmed continuously since 1865, the land has supported vegetables, dairy, and hay production, and is now home to a replacement dairy herd. The purchased easement will allow the land’s legacy to continue.
EXPLORE
• Local farm tours: Bahner Farm, Good Karma Farm + more! • Kids activities at the Maine Market • Belfast Fourth Friday Art Walk with local tastes at each gallery
The Milkhouse Creamery Through MFT’s FarmLink program, young farmers Caitlin Frame and Andy Smith have found a new home at a former dairy farm in South Monmouth. The couple plans to
EAT + DRINK
grow their successful yogurt and milk business by building their own pasture-based
• Maine Market with over 30 vendors • 2nd Annual Oyster + Beer tasting: oysters from the Penobscot Bay region and beer brewed with Maine ingredients
dairy herd. MFT purchased an easement on the 280-acre farm, reducing how much the couple needed to borrow to acquire the property.
Balfour Farm
LISTEN
Farming since 1998, Doug and Heather Donahue in 2010 purchased a 100-acre
• Local music at the Maine Market • A Homegrown Hootenanny on the waterfront with The Gawler Family, Sassafrass Stomp + more!
farm in Pittsfield, where they now care for 30 cows. They produce milk, soft and hard cheeses, butter, yogurt, meat, eggs, and some mixed vegetables — all for local markets. A purchased easement provided capital that the Donahues will use to reinvest in their successful business.
Sweet Land Farm Jay Robinson of Starks says that his land “can grow anything,” boasting prime agricultural soils and southern exposure. Robinson grows a variety of vegetables for
see what’s on the table at www.maine-fare.org
diverse markets, including Good Shepherd Food Bank’s Mainers Feeding Mainers program. And he has helped many young farmers get started, by hosting apprentices and leasing land. Now, Robinson’s 113 bountiful acres will continue to be available for future generations of farmers.
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Beal is widely respected within
with particular attention to maintaining
Maine’s agricultural community. She is
water quality, so that new food pro-
a former president of Maine Organic
duction on land does not diminish the
Farmers and Gardeners Association
potential for food production in Maine
(MOFGA) and Cultivating Community.
waters.
She currently chairs Maine’s Eat Local Foods Coalition and serves on the
where we have the opportunity to plan
board of the Northwest Atlantic Marine
how to best expand our agricultural
Alliance.
footprint in a way that doesn’t mean
Beal co-authored A New England Food
sacrificing the productivity of another
Vision, a widely circulated study demon-
important sector of our food system,
strating how New England could grow
our fisheries,” said Beal, who keeps her
Amanda Beal. Photo: Hannah Cohen
up to two-thirds of all its own food by
hand in farming by helping out most
New Policy and Research Fellow
the year 2060.
weekends at her father’s dairy farm in
Beal takes on her new position at MFT while completing her PhD research
Summer Exhibits
“We’re at an important juncture,
MAY 15 - JUNE 19 Hoofs, Roots, and Wings Sheep Jones, Christopher O’Connor, Jimmy Creighton, Susan Camp, Kathryn Shagas, Elizabeth Ostrander
JUNE 26 + 27 Maine Fare Pop-Up Show! Fashion in the Raw
Litchfield. In addition to Beal’s focus on re-
at the University of New Hampshire.
search, she also will help redefine and
Amanda Beal, a sustainable food policy
Her dissertation will focus on how to
expand MFT’s involvement in public
advocate and consultant who grew up
reclaim former farmland in ways that
policy. •
on a Maine dairy farm, is MFT’s inaug-
prevent environmental degradation,
ural Policy and Research Fellow.
Kate Emlen. November Morning (Rolling Acres) . Oil on paper on board. 11”x15”.
Paint the Farm
This June, Maine Farmland Trust Gallery and the Falcon Foundation, which holds nominations, MFT was cited as being “visionary,” “tenacious,” and “innovative.” The Press Herald described MFT as doing an “extraordinary job”
many works of noted artist Joseph Fiore, will unveil a special initiative, Paint the Farm. Forty Maine-based artists have now
to advance sustainability in Maine, by
visited a dozen local farms to observe,
helping people see the role farming can
paint, write, sketch, photograph, and —
play in our future. •
at times — help with farm chores. Most of the participating farms are
Jacinda Martinez
Farm in Harpswell, Buckle Farm in Uni-
JULY 3 - AUGUST 19 Paint the Farm
ty, Dooryard Farm in Camden, Tide Mill
at the MFT Gallery
easements. These include Two Coves
Farm in Edmunds, and Hatchet Cove Farm and Oyster River Winegrowers in Warren. The project will culminate with two summer exhibitions: one at MFT’s Gallery in Belfast, July 3 - August 19; the other at The Firehouse Gallery in Damariscotta, July 9 - September 7. •
JULY 9 - SEPTEMBER 7 Paint the Farm at The Firehouse Gallery, Damariscotta
AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 28 Summer Stable Show 2015
properties protected with agricultural
FarmLink Mixers Speed-linking for farmers MFT recieved one of six SOURCE Maine Sustainability Awards. Photo: Portland Press Herald
In 2014, MFT took its FarmLink pro-
MFT recognized as sustainability leader
gram to a whole new level, by hosting
MFT is the recipient of the inaugural Storyteller Award, presented by the Portland Press Herald’s SOURCE at a ceremony in April. The award recognizes MFT’s 4
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highly-creative approach to raising pub-
several “mixers” at different locations
lic awareness about farming in Maine —
around the state.
through films, books, an annual journal,
“These mixers are kind of like
an art gallery, and countless public presentations at grange halls, libraries, and college campuses. MFT joined six recipients of awards
speed-dating but without the romantic MFT board chairTaylor Mudge accepted the award from SOURCE staff reporter Mary Pols. Photo: Portland Press Herald
in other categories, chosen from among nearly 200 nominees. In multiple
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
connection,” said Erica Buswell, MFT’s Beginning Farmer Program Manager. By facilitating off-line gatherings, FarmLink hopes to create new and 97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
deeper connections between farmland owners and farmland seekers. The mixers also give both parties a chance to practice negotiation and communication skills. The next mixer is will be at Maine Fare, on June 27 at 6pm in Belfast. To register, email Sue at info@mainefarmlink.org. MFT’s FarmLink is the most successful program of its type in the nation, having now connected 116 farmers to farmland across the state. FarmLink’s online database can be accessed at
www.mainefarmlink.org. • 5
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