NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
NEWSLETTER
PA I D 97 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915
Volume 15 , No. 1
PERMIT NO. 30 FARMINGTON, ME
phone: 207-338-6575 e-mail: info@mainefarmlandtrust.org website: www.mainefarmlandtrust.org
Spring/Summer 2016
Farming Grows in Bowdoinham
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Strong partnerships lead to more protected farmland Working closely with local land trusts and other organizations, MFT recently helped to protect a total of 196 acres in Bowdoinham, reinforcing the continued growth and long term security of farming in a prime agricultural area. Harvest Tide Organics Bethany Allen and Eric Ferguson
In This Issue:
met while working on neighboring
Page 01: Partners protecting farmland in Bowdoinham
farms in Bowdoinham, and within
Page 02: OPAV & Maine Harvest Bucks hits retail
a few years started looking for a
Page 03: Recent farmland protection projects
farm to call their own. After looking
Page 04: A FarmLink in Gouldsboro
at land in communities around the
Page 05: Joseph A. Fiore Art Center & New Staff
state, a property went up for sale
Page 06: Upcoming Events
in Bowdoinham. It was a property they drove by every day on their way
Thank You featured Business Members!
to work, and had often admired. “We thought it might be the kind of farm that a land trust would be interested in protecting, and the price was out of reach, so we got in touch with MFT and Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT),” said Bethany. The property is unique, with waterfront on Merrymeeting Bay and a large swath of woodland, in addition to 45 acres of fields that are perfect for vegetable production, 97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
Eric Ferguson and Bethany Allen in front of their new greenhouse at Harvest Tide Organics.
but also prime real estate for house
said Bethany, for multiple reasons.
lots. The unique elements of the
The couple is thrilled “to be farm-
property called for a more complex
ing on ground that is really fertile,
protection process, and drawing in
reliable and well-drained,” a huge
multiple organizations, including
benefit when your business is based
KELT, Maine Coast Heritage Trust,
on the soil. Bowdoinham also has a
and Friends of Merrymeeting Bay.
strong, informal network of farmers
After months of work, the property was divided into three parcels: waterfront and wildlife habitat; ag-
who support one another. And, it’s a beautiful place to put down roots: “We walk everyday through the
ricultural land that includes fields,
woods. You can walk from river to
a farmhouse and a woodlot; and
river... this place is soul food.”
woodland. Each area will be held and stewarded separately. KELT will
Fairwinds Farm
own the waterfront, and hold the
Just down the road from Harvest
easement on the farm.
Tide, Pete and Cathy Karonis of
Despite the time and effort it
Fairwinds Farm cultivate a total of
took to protect the land, Bethany
14 acres of strawberries and 45
and Eric think it was worthwhile.
acres of mixed vegetables on
“Living in Bowdoinham is a dream,”
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
cont. on p. 4 1
“New” tool used to ensure farmland stays in farming
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 Jon Olson Mt. Vernon Henry Whittemore, Treasurer, Readfield
MFT completes second of two projects of its type in Maine A historic dairy farm in Windham will stay in farming, thanks in part to a new farmland protection tool, Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value (OPAV). OPAV is language that is written in to an easement, which requires that when the farm goes up for sale (if it is not being sold to a family member or qualified farmer), the land trust can step in, buy the property, and resell it to a farmer. This language is an extra measure to ensure that the eventual sale of the land will be at its agricultural value, and that the land continues to be farmed. The Weeks Farm in Windham is the second MFT project to include
Maine Harvest Bucks launches in retail stores
A birdseye view of the former Weeks Farm, now home to Bumbleroot Organic Farm.
OPAV language, and staff anticipate
MFT protected it with an easement
using the provision more frequently in
containing an OPAV provision, and
future easements. “This is an increas-
then resold the property to four
ingly popular tool used to promote
young farmers who currently operate
affordable farmland access,” said Er-
Bumbleroot Organic Farm on leased
ica Buswell, MFT’s Farmland Access
land in Buxton. The new farmers plan
Program Manager.
to move their farm to Windham for
After purchasing Weeks Farm, time local incentives have ever been offered at stores. “It’s a win-win-win: more food inse-
tact Shannon Grimes at
ly-produced foods, while Maine farms
shannon@mainefarmlandtrust.org •
the state are now piloting a new in-
dollars stay in the local economy,”
centive program that will help recipi-
said Shannon Grimes, who oversees
ents of SNAP benefits (formerly food
this program at MFT.
ients receive $5 of bonus local fruits
The pilot program—branded as “Maine Harvest Bucks” in coordination with other local incentive programs
and vegetables for every $10 spent
across the state—was launched in
on local items.
April at the Belfast Co-op. The incen-
Similar incentive programs have proven successful at farmers markets
tives are now also available at Portland Food Co-op, Rising Tide Commu-
across the state. Last year, MFT re-
nity Market, Good Tern Co-op, Blue
ceived a USDA grant to expand these
Hill Co-op, the Morris Farm Store, The
incentives beyond farmers markets
Farm Stand, Machias Marketplace,
into retail stores. This is the first
and Unity Food Hub, in addition to
2
maineharvestbucks.org/retail or con-
cure Mainers can eat healthy, localmake more sales and more food
With support from MFT, SNAP recip-
many farmers markets and CSA. For more information, visit
Thanks to MFT, retail grocers around
stamps) purchase more local food.
the 2017 season. •
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
STAFF
Anna Abaldo, Gallery Charlie Baldwin, Land Protection Amanda Beal, Policy and Research Adam Bishop, Land Protection Erica Buswell, Land Protection Chris Cabot, Land Protection Sophie DeMaio, Farm Viability Andrea Denny, Database Denise Despirito, Gallery Abby Farnham, Farm Viability Khris Flack, Veggies For All Alex Fouliard, Farm Viability Caroline Ginsberg, Membership Mike Gold, Farm Viability Shannon Grimes, Farm Viability Colleen Hanlon Smith, Unity Food Hub Martin Hayden, Development Sue Lanpher, FarmLink Tim Libby, Veggies For All Lyndsey Marston, Land Protection Justin Nadeau, Unity Food Hub Jenny Nelson, Photography Fellow LouAnna Perkins, Senior Legal Counsel John Piotti, President and CEO Meghan Quinn, Outreach Tricia Rouleau, Land Protection Ellen Sabina, Outreach Kim Sanborn, Office Assistant Elizabeth Sprague, Farm Viability Brett Sykes, Land Protection Rachel Taker, Finance Matt Tremblay, Unity Food Hub Sara Trunzo, Veggies For All Kristin Varnum, Vice President and CFO Katherine Winslow, Land Protection Reeve Wood, Legal Counsel Nina Young, Land Protection
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
towards 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 ________________________________________________________ Town, State, Zip ________________________________________________ Telephone ______________________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________ Payment:
Check Enclosed
Visa
Mastercard
Credit Card No. ________________________________________________ Expiration Date ______________ CVV Code____________ Signature ______________________________________________________
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
7
Save the Date! Upcoming Events & Happenings
On the ground: Recent land protection projects
Check our website for more upcoming events, registration and information: mainefarmlandtrust.org
The number of farmers choosing to protect their land through MFT’s Purchased Easement Program, Buy/Protect/Sell, and Donated Easements continues to grow.
Forever Farm Parties: Bumbleroot Organic Farm & Harvest Tide Organics
JUL 14 & AUG 4
Join us at two recently protected “Forever Farms” to celebrate the farmers, land trusts, and communities that are working together to grow the future for farming in Maine. Good food, drink, and music. These events are free and open to all!
Curran Farm
Bumbleroot Organic Farm, Windham. July 14, 5-8PM
Dan Curran protected his 91-acre farm in Sabbattus in March. The farm
Harvest Tide Organics, Bowdoinham. August 4, 5-8PM
includes scenic, rolling pasture and borders the Sabattus River. Curran is a
in partnership with Kennebec Esturary Land Trust
former dairy farmer who now raises sheep and cattle for beef. He also sells hay. MFT’s purchase of the easement will not only ensure that the property is never
Schoolhouse Suppers at the Hub
JUN 29 JUL 27 AUG 31
A FEW OF OUR RECENT PROTECTION PROJECTS:
developed, but help transition the farm to the next generation. Curran’s daughter and youngest son work on the farm, and will continue when Curran retires.
This pop-up dinner series will bring a rotating cast of Maine chefs and flavors to Unity, the heart of Maine’s farming community. Guest chefs will serve casual, farm-forward fare at the Hub, a renovated 1889 grammar school in downtown Unity. Check our website for chef and menu announcements, and to make your reservation.
Woodhaven Farm In 1884, Alan White’s great-grandfather purchased a 200-acre farm in New Portland. Over the years the land provided respite for the extended family, but by 2015, many of the family members had moved away, parts of the land had
Agrarian Acts: a celebration of farming through music, feat. Adam Nordell
AUG 25 - 27
MFT presents a three night traveling concert and supper series, featuring Adam Nordell’s debut
open and active. In October 2015, the remaining 71 acres of the original farm
album. Nordell (of Sasafrass Stomp) creates music that is deeply rooted in agricultural experi-
was protected and sold to a local dairy farmer who will keep farming the land.
ence. Dinner includes grains, beans, and vegetables from Songbird Farm.Tickets go on sale July 8! Portland. Thursday August 25
High View Farm
Unity. Friday, August 26
The 137-acre High View Farm in Harrison has been in the Winslow family since
Blue Hill. Saturday, August 27
1810. Bill and Darcy Winslow currently operate a diversified farm that includes
Maine Fare, reimagined
SEPT 10
been sold, and there was no clear caretaker for the property. Alan decided that it would be best to protect the land, and honor his family’s legacy by keeping it
a micro-dairy. They sell milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, eggs, and more—directly off the farm. They also offer popular horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter
A scaled down version of our signature food festival, this event brings together some of the finest
months, led by their team of draft horses. Now protected, the farm will forever
chefs and farmers to celebrate Maine’s diverse and abundant food system. Come early for an
be available for farming.
in-depth, hands-on workshop with chefs and producers, or arrive in time for the evening local cider & cheese tasting. The event will culminate in a unique dinner experience that is equal parts educational and delicious. More details will be released on our website soon!
Shaw Farm MFT completed its first protection project with an Aroostook potato farm in
Land & Sea: A Fresh Look at our Region’s Food Future
January. The Shaw Farm in Fort Fairfield was purchased by MFT, protected, and sold to Kyle Blackstone of Blackstone and Sons Farms. The farm is 601 acres, with about 400 acres in potato production. Blackstone previously leased the
SEPT 29
Join Maine Farmland Trust and Penobscot East Resource Center for a half-day Colloquium at
farm, and cutlivates numerous fields in the surrounding area. The Blackstone
Bowdoin College to explore new thinking on a whole system approach to increased local food pro-
family has been farming in northern Maine since 1694, through 10 genera-
duction that ensures natural resources and communities can flourish in the face of this growth.
tions. Farming on protected land helps to secure that legacy for the future.
Space is limited. Speaker information and registration can be found on our website. 3
6
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
thing [as the Thayers], but from the
Rockland’s Caldbeck Gallery. .
other direction,” said Steve. Steve
Four residents were selected:
and Liz had moved their family to
Robert Pollien, Mount Desert, whose
Maine from Long Island, NY several
submissions included landscape
years ago, in search of the chance to
drawings and oil paintings; J. Thom-
live long-term on a farm. The young
as R. Higgins, Readfield, a plein air
family arrived at Darthia in February,
landscape painter who works in oils;
and “right away it felt great.”
Thérèse Provenzano, from Wallagrass,
As spring unfurls, Bill and
whose submissions consisted of
Cynthia are enjoying the prospect of
Darthia Farm farmers, L-R: Bill Thayer, Liz and Cedar, Steve and Harbor, and Cynthia.
Darthia Farm looks to the future A FarmLink in the making Cynthia and Bill Thayer have been farming at Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro for over 38 years. They joined FarmLink in 2002 in hopes of eventually finding a successor for their farm, and they now believe they have found a family to ensure that the Darthia remains part of the Gouldsboro com-
Bowdoinham, cont. from p. 1
munity into the future. Liz, Steve, and their two young children, contacted Cynthia and Bill through FarmLink in Summer 2015. After past disappointments, the Thayers were cautious about inviting a new family to the farm; but after several visits and lots of conversations, they all felt like it was the right decision for everyone—and for the farm. “The more we talked with each other, the more it made sense. We
multiple properties, some owned
an easement on the property.
and some leased. The farm’s “home
When the funding for the easement
base” is in Topsham, but the couple
is secured, MFT will sell the prop-
started leasing land in Bowdoinham
erty to the Karonises at its value as
to expand their operation, and offer
farmland. KELT will hold the ease-
u-pick berries. Cathy grew up in
ment.
Bowdoinham, and spent childhood summers picking peas on the land they now lease.
ing swath of protected land in
part of the place they’ve cultivated.
address the environment, through
They’ll still be doing the things they
the use of sustainable methods and
love most: Bill will work with the
materials.
farmland, forest, and wetlands.
MFT to step in and purchase the
These projects exemplify the power
11 acre property to secure it, while
of partnership between land trusts, farmers, land owners, the state,
On Saturday, July 30 and Sun-
horses in the hayfields and the woods, and teach the new farmers how to
The view from the Joseph A. Fiore Art Center at Rolling Acres Farm.
day, August 28, from 11am-3pm, the
work with the team. Cynthia will spin
Introducing the Joseph A. Fiore Art Center at Rolling Acres Farm
130-acre property located on scenic
Art Center will host a family-friendly
Damariscotta Lake.
Artist Studio Day & Open House – a
season progresses, checking in often
MFT has partnered with the Falcon
to make sure they’re all on the same
Foundation in Damariscotta to create
page. This spring, the future of Dar-
an artist residency program in honor
dency was open only to artists living
thia Farm looks especially bright.•
of the late painter, Joseph Fiore.
in Maine. Applications were juried by
The artists will live at the farm-
renowned New York/Maine artist Lois
house at Rolling Acres Farm, a
Dodd and Cynthia Hyde, owner of
New Faces at MFT
tection projects from the Belfast
Events Manager. Photographer
and Unity offices.
Jenny Nelson is the 2016 Digital
Farm Viability
Storytelling Fellow.
Two new Food Access staff, Abby
Gallery
Farnham and Sophie DeMaio will
Denise Despirito is the new Gallery
help implement Maine Harvest
Assistant, working at both the Bel-
Bucks (see page 2). Khris Flack is
fast gallery and the Joseph A. Fiore
the new Program Assistant at Veg-
Art Center at Rolling Acres Farm.
gies For All.
Unity Food Hub
Outreach
Justin Nadeau is the Hub’s new Oper-
Belfast-native Caroline Ginsberg
ations Associate. •
and dye wool, and teach new farmers how to work with wool. The process of getting to know one another will take time, but they’ll be working closely together as the
2016 Gallery Posters
Over the last few months, MFT has added new staff positions in nearly all program areas. In addition, MFT has opened a third office, on Union Wharf in Portland. Farmland Protection Chris Cabot and Charlie Baldwin
Bowdoinham, which encompasses
recently listed for sale. KELT asked
4
per; and Susan Smith, Dover-Foxcroft, who creates site-specific projects that
Together, these two farmland protection projects add to a grow-
One of the leased parcels was
backing off from the everyday duties of the farm, while continuing to be
realized we were looking for the same
they raised the funds to purchase
works in charcoal and pastel on pa-
will focus on projects in Cumber-
LYNN KARLIN 2016
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
land and York County out of the new Portland office. Katherine Winslow will pursue farmland pro-
The residency program aims to
great opportunity for the public to
connect the creative worlds of farm-
see the new Center, visit the studios
ing and art making, and to create
and talk with the artists and staff.
a space for the dialogue between
These events will feature live music on
human and environment.
the lawn, and free coffee, tea and ice
In this inaugural year, the resi-
cream. Bring a picnic and enjoy the Center’s magnificent grounds. •
is MFT’s new Membership Director, and Meghan Quinn is our new
97 Main Street, Belfast, ME 207.338.6575 mainefarmlandtrust.org
5