VOLUME 11, NO. 1
SUMMER 2012
NEWS
Ten New Farmland Protection Projects Over 4,000 acres of farmland saved since December
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Shaw Farm (top) and Varnum Farm (below) are two recent farmland protection projects. See pages 4-5 for more recent projects.
aine Farmland Trust continues to make major strides in protecting high quality farmland. Several of the most recent projects fall under MFT’s “Buy/Protect/Sell” program, which not only permanently protects vulnerable farms with agricultural conservation easements, but then makes that land available to incoming farmers at more affordable prices. “We sell our protected farms at their ‘farmland value,’ and this makes all the difference for many farmers,” explained John Piotti, MFT’s executive director. Many other projects involve donated easements, which landowners grant voluntarily, usually because they care deeply that their land will continue as a farm. Since last December, MFT has closed on ten projects that involve over 4,000 acres of farmland. Many more projects remain in the pipeline, and are expected to come to fruition later this year. A summary of these projects is provided in the centerfold of this newsletter.
Campaign News: $500,000 Challenge Grant Demands Your Action
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n the heels of a $250,000 grant in 2011, the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation recently awarded MFT a $500,000 “challenge grant” to help close out the first phase of MFT’s current fundraising campaign. “This is great news,” said Taylor Mudge of Camden, who still farms family land in Lincolnville and who chairs MFT’s Campaign Committee. “But it means that we need people to be as generous as they can as soon as they can.” With this challenge grant, MFT now needs to raise less than $1.2 million to complete its current
$10 million fundraising goal. While Mudge is extremely pleased by this gift, and by others totaling almost a million dollars that have come in since January, he is concerned about the next few months. “MFT must raise over a million dollars by October 1,” expressed Mudge. “It’s clearly doable, but only if people step up and make a gift.” MFT’s $10 million first phase of its broader $50 million fundraising campaign is bringing in cash from private parties. In the second phase of the campaign, MFT will use the first $10 million to leverage considerable government funding. It
will also then take account of donations of farmland and farmland easements. The full $50 million will translate into the protection of 100,000 acres of farmland. By any reckoning, $50 million is a lot of money; but it’s useful to point out that the 100,000 acres of farmland that MFT hopes to protect within a few years will yield economic value well in excess of $50 million each and every year. “Pay for it once, and you’ll receive a greater benefit each and every year forever,” said Mudge. “Now that’s what I call a great investment.”
FarmLink Milestone: MFT just completed its 79th “link”. These 79 “links” represent 7,216 acres of protected farmland. These kind of land link programs have become commonplace in many states. But with 79 links, MFT’s program is by far the most successful in the nation. Visit www.mainefarmlink.org to learn more.
Protecting these fields in Camden is the focus of a new MFT initiative, undertaken in partnership with Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Camden Farmland Initiative
two farms targeted now—Rokes Egg Farm and the former Cripps Farm (now known as the Spear property)were growing vegetables, raising From time to time, MFT will take livestock, and selling locally. We believe that these two properties on a farm project that is only possible if could be thriving farms once again, as we can raise funds locally. We’ve now done this successfully in Bowdoinham they possess some great soils and are located near a population that increasand Kents Hill. We’ve also nearly ingly wants to buy local farm products. completed a fundraising drive that we The key is to get these properties undertook with the Damariscotta River into the hands of the next generation Association, designed to protect 68 of farmers, a process facilitated by acres of farmland in that town. MFT’s “Buy/Protect/Sell” program. Our latest project of this type MFT now owns both properties, involves two abutting farm properties in Camden, which together contain 54 and is seeking funds to cover the cost of easements on both, before re-selling acres of open fields. the properties to farmers at “farmland Few people think of Camden as a prices”—as opposed to the high prices farming community, but it once common for unprotected land in boasted several productive farms. It coastal communities like Camden. was not too many years ago that the MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
MFT is partnering in this initiative with Maine Coast Heritage Trust, which has a real interest in Camden farmland because of the work of Aldermere Farm, which MCHT operates in nearby Rockport. MCHT has already secured a federal grant for $125,000. Together, MFT and MCHT need to raise another $300,000 to finish paying for the easements. Buying these easements is a cost-effective way to protect some exceptional farmland. But the added benefit of this project is that MFT will be able to attract new farmers to this land, helping to rebuild farming in Camden. Donations can be directed to “Saving Camden Farmland” c/o Maine Farmland Trust SUMMER 2012
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MFT continues its impressive growth
GROW TH IN MEMBERSHIP 3500 3250 3000 2750 2500 2250 2000 1750 1500 1250 1000 750 500 250 0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 *
GROW TH IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT
3 upcoming events
$3,250,000 $3,000,000 $2,750,000 $2,500,000 $2,250,000 $2,000,000 $1,750,000 $1,500,000 $1,250,000 $1,000,000 $750,000 $500,000 $250,000 0
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
*Includes $1 million “Program Related Investment” awarded in 2011
Last summer, MFT launched a new initiative, designed to showcase and celebrate Maine’s permanently protected farms and the extraordinary landowners who steward these farms. We held six great parties, from Eastport to Scarborough, with music, great company, and—of course—great local food. We also launched a new website www.foreverfarms.org and installed over fifty “Forever Farm” signs to call attention to the great work that has been done. Now we’re at it again, with plans for three new events: August 14 Five Fields Farm, Bridgton August 21 Rambler’s Way Farm, Kennebunk August 28 Two Coves Farm, Harpswell All events are on Tuesday evenings from 5pm to 8pm, and feature LOCAL produce, wine, beer, ice cream, and LIVE entertainment!
MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
Over 33,000 acres and counting... “It’s truly rewarding that we’ve done so much in so little time,” said MFT’s Board Chair Bill Bell of Saco. “But at the same time, we have so much more to do,” continued Bell. MFT has now protected 33,047 acres toward our stated goal of 100,000 acres. Of that total, 26,023 acres represent farmland that has been permanently protected through agricultural conservation easements, while 7,024 acres represent land that we believe will stay in agriculture because it has been passed on to the right new owner or because the farm has received services from MFT that help keep it viable. MFT’s plan is to protect 100,000 acres by the end of 2014, now only 2½ years off. “It’s a truly ambitious goal, but we always felt we needed to reach that high, given that so much of Maine’s best farmland is now at risk,” explained Bell. Bell was referring to the fact that MFT estimates that as much as 400,000 acres of Maine farmland www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
will be in transition in the next few years, given that so many farmland owners are old, and will soon sell or die. “Now is when we need to make a real difference,” expressed Bell, who has spent over thirty years supporting Maine farmers in many roles. “MFT often needs to get involved in order to ensure that good farmland will still be there in the future, so that it continues to feed Maine people and Maine’s economy.” MFT’s efforts to protect 100,000 acres is closely tied to its fundraising campaign, which ultimately aims to raise $50 million in private gifts, government grants, donations of land and easements. The first phase of that campaign, which is designed to raise $10 million in cash from private donors, has exceeded $8.8 million—a remarkable feat in the current economy. “We’ve been successful because what we are doing is so important,” explained Bell. SUMMER 2012
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Ten Recent Farmland Varnum Farms
2,075 acres, Sebec and Dover-Foxcroft MFT purchased this exceptional farm property under our "Buy/Protect/Sell" program. Boasting 840 acres of excellent soils and over eight miles of river frontage, it is both a tremendous piece of farmland and an ecological treasure. MFT will protect the property with an easement, and then re-sell it to a farmer. Easement funds came from the Land for Maine’s Future program and two federal programs.
MacDonald Farm
150 acres, Carmel This farm once grew beans for the B&M plant in Portland. More recently, it has raised cattle and hay. Worried about spreading development on local farms, Paul and Jo MacDonald have donated an easement on their property, ensuring that it will forever be available for a wide variety of agricultural uses.
Sunrise Farm
120 acres, Belgrade This former dairy farm is being brought back to life as a vegetable farm by a couple who will also establish community gardens and a veterinarian clinic. As a “Buy/Protect/Sell” project, MFT made it possible for the new buyers to afford this property. They found it through FarmLink, and represent MFT’s 79th successful link.
Johnny’s Field
29 acres, Benton This represents the third easement—together totaling almost 200 acres—that Rob Johnston and Janika Eckert of Johnny’s Selected Seeds have donated on important farmland that directly supports this fast growing business. In addition, two years ago, the staff of Johnny’s identified MFT as their designated charity, donating $40,000 to help us protect other farms.
Fogg Farm
300 acres, Saco and Buxton Roland Fogg, age 85, donated an easement to ensure that his land will always be available for active agriculture. The property has been in his family since 1810, and was an active dairy farm until the 1970s. Since then, the fields have been used primarily for hay production, but they are suitable for a wide array of agricultural uses. MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
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d Protection Projects Rokes Egg Farm 40 acres, Camden
Earlier this year, MFT purchased this locally-famous property when it became clear the owners needed to sell. MFT is now partnering with Maine Coast Heritage Trust to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of an easement on both this farm and neighboring farmland which MFT purchased in 2011. MFT will then re-sell the land to a new farmer at an affordable price. See article on Page 2.
Clark Farm
217 acres, Windham MFT recently sold this property to Clayton and Kathy Haskell, experienced farmers who currently operate Pleasant Hill Farm in North Windham. The Haskells run a herd of beef cattle and need more land to expand operations. This farm was part of a larger conservation project which also involved the Trust for Public Lands, the Windham Land Trust, and funding from the Land for Maine’s Future program.
Rambler's Way Farms
154 acres, Kennebunk Tom and Kate Chappell donated easements on two farm properties, which together boast a hundred acres of open fields and over a mile of frontage on the Kennebunk River. The properties serve the Chappell's latest business venture, Rambler's Way, which offers a line of clothing that is sustainably made with super fine wool.
Aitken Farm
316 acres, Monroe MFT purchased this former dairy farm at auction, and on one parcel, outbid a developer. The property contains five different parcels and some beautiful land. MFT will protect all the farmland with easements and then re-sell it as two separate farm operations. All but 162 acres are now under contract.
Shaw Farm
595 acres, Fort Fairfield MFT just bought this large farm in the County, which has been traditionally used for potatoes, but is well-suited to many crops and livestock. The property was under threat of being broken up and lost to farming. MFT plans to permanently protect the land with an easement and re-sell it to a new farmer. MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
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Large collection of Fiore artwork donated to MFT Joseph A. Fiore (1925-2008), a Black Mountain College alumnus and teacher, and critically-acclaimed vanguard artist in the 1960’s, spent summers during his later life in Jefferson, Maine. From this period stem many of his landscapes, which show the connection he felt with the natural world—and his love for Maine. Fiore generously supported MFT’s work during his lifetime. Today, the family continues to support us. Most recently, they have donated a collection of oil paintings, pastel drawings, and watercolors valued at over $280,000. Many of these works will be on display at the MFT Gallery through August 8. They can also be viewed through the gallery website. 100% of the proceeds from selling Fiore’s artwork go directly to support MFT. MFT is now representing the work of a dozen artists who believe in our mission. Check out our new gallery website to learn more: www.mainefarmlandtrustgallery.com
New MFT Products! FOREVER FARMS &
Meet Your Farmer
Reusable Bags
Meet Your
Farmer
TM
available at
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
Project of the Year! MFT’s recently-published guide for municipalities and local leaders (Cultivating Maine’s Agricultural Future) received this year’s award from the Maine Association of Planners. The guide is available on MFT’s website. Printed copies can be ordered by calling Rachel at (207)338-6575.
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
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MAINE FARMLAND TRUST We’re the only statewide land trust devoted to farmland protection. Our budget is primarily funded by individual donors and members. Please join us. With your help, we can meet the challenge. 97 Main St. Belfast, Maine 04915 207-338-6575 www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
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Established in 1999, Maine Farmland Trust exists to help keep Maine’s farms working. The award-winning organization protects farmland and supports farmers through a variety of innovative programs and services. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William Bell, President, Saco Susan Morris, Vice-President, Waldoboro Frank Miles, Treasurer, Cape Elizabeth Taylor Mudge, Secretary,Camden Paul Birdsall, Penobscot Neil Crane, Exeter Walter Fletcher, Pittsfield Eleanor Kinney, Bremen James Lawrence, Camden Russell Libby, Mt. Vernon 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
Membership Categories: Basic (e.g., Student)......$20 Individual.....................$30 Family...........................$50 Contributor.................$100 Life...........................$1000
You may also make payments toward Life Membership:
(4 payments) $250 (2 payments) $500 Additional donation
$ ___________.
Please contact me about protection options for my farm property Name
_________________________________________________________________________________
Address
_______________________________________________________________________________
Town, State, Zip Telephone
_____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
E-mail ____________________________________________________________
PAYMENT:
CHECK ENCLOSED
Credit Card No.:
____________________________________________________
Signature:
VISA
MASTERCARD Exp.
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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.
STAFF
John Piotti, Executive Director Kristin Varnum, Associate Director LouAnna Perkins, Legal Counsel Nina Young, Lands Projects Stacy Gambrel, Lands Projects Erica Buswell, Lands Projects Sarah Hart, Lands Assistant Mike Gold, Farm Viability Holly Ingraham, Farm Viability Tess Cleary, Farm Viability Beth Wade, Maine Farms Realty Sue Lanpher, FarmLink Erin Herbig, Outreach Anna Witholt Abaldo, Gallery Cate Cronin, Campaign Andrea Denny, Campaign Rachel Taker, Office Assistant
MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
Planned Giving
Staff Update
A bequest to support farmland protection is a great way to leave a lasting legacy.
www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
Tess Cleary, a recent graduate of Unity College, is providing support to MFT’s Farm Viablity program out of our Unity Office. Tess volunteered last year as a student intern. SUMMER 2012
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$500,000 Challenge Grant, page 1 Camden Farm Initiative, page 2 Over 33,000 acres and counting, page 3 MFT continues impressive growth, page 3 Ten Recent Farmland Projects, pages 4 and 5 Fiore artwork donated to MFT, page 6 MFT publication wins award, page 6
MFT 2012 Summer Event Schedule
FOREVER FARM
MaineFare A Celebration of Maine food and farming
2012 FOREVER FARM Events
Introducing MaineFare 2012!
Tuesday, August 14 Five Fields Farm in Bridgton
Friday, September 7
Tuesday, August 21 Chappell Farm in Kennebunk
Downtown Belfast
Tuesday, August 28 Twin Coves Farm in Harpswell
MaineFare is a celebration of Maine’s local food traditions, farms, farmers, restaurants, chefs, and happy eaters.
Tuesday,September 11 Bog Road Farm in Albion For more information visit: www.foreverfarms.org and to learn more about Forever Farms summer events!
For more information visit www.maine-fare.com