Eastern Maine Regional Opportunities for Ocean, Timber and Soil (ROOTS) Conference

Agenda | Planning Committee | Exhibitor Information | Registration | Sponsors | Sponsorship Opportunity

Saturday, March 22, 2025
Snow Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
University of Maine at Machias
Reynold’s Center
116 O’Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine 04654 (Google Maps)

The 2025 Eastern Maine ROOTS Conference brings together industry leaders in agriculture, food, forestry management, fisheries, and aquaculture. Presenters and service providers from UMaine, local agencies, and non-profit organizations will be present to share information with Eastern Maine farmers, fisherfolk, growers, woodland owners and interested community members. 

This conference, previously named the “Downeast Agriculture and Forestry Conference,” enters its fourth year in 2025. UMaine Cooperative Extension is partnering for the first time with the Washington County Food Council (a group co-facilitated by staff from Healthy Acadia and Full Plates Full Potential) and local industry leaders to provide a full agenda for conference guests. 

On Saturday March 22nd, the day will kick off with a Keynote Address to center on value-based approaches to connecting with the land and natural resources. Next will be a speakers’ panel, Wood and Food Banks: Inspiration from Eastern Maine for Heat and Food Security Efforts. After the morning speaker panel, a catered lunch will be provided featuring special local foods. Afternoon sessions offer industry-specific talks and workshops. During the course of the day, participants can network with representatives from local agencies, institutions and non-profits in the gymnasium.

For more information contact Rachel White at rachel@maine.edu, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock.

2025 Conference Agenda

8:30 a.m. – Welcome, coffee & refreshments

9:00 a.m. – Introduction and Keynote Address

9:45 a.m. – Morning panel

  • Wood and Food Banks: Inspiration from Eastern Maine for Heat and Food Security Efforts

11:15 a.m. – Networking and visiting resource tables in the gymnasium

11:45 a.m.  – Catered lunch in the lobby

12:30 p.m.  – First session of industry-specific talks/workshops

1:45 p.m. – Second session of industry-specific talks/workshops

3:00 p.m. –  Open time to network and visit resource tables

4:00 p.m. – End

Registration

Register online

Cost

Pay what you can ($10-$60) includes lunch featuring local foods. Financial assistance is available. Please contact Tara Wood, tara.a.wood@maine.edu for the coupon code.

Planning Committee

  • Anna Carter, Commercial clam harvester, member of Lubec Shellfish Committee and Planning Board, advocate of small-scale aquaculture
  • Brian Greulich, Licensed Forester, NRCS technical service provider
  • Eddie Nachamie, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Student, University of Maine, Orono
  • Jessica Leahy, Professor, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono
  • Kirsten Tenney, Full Plates Full Potential
  • Lucy Zwigard, Washington County Food Programs Coordinator, Healthy Acadia, Machias, and co-facilitator of the Washington County Food Council
  • Rachel White, Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Conference Planning Lead
  • Regina Grabrovac, Washington County Food Programs Manager, Healthy Acadia
  • Sandy Fortin, Healthy Eating Active Living Coordinator, Maine DOE Farm & Sea to School, Regional Local Foods Coordinator, Healthy Acadia
  • Tara Wood, Administrative Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension 

Sponsors

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Washington County Food Council Logo

Sponsorship Opportunity

The Eastern Maine Regional Opportunities for Ocean, Timber and Soil Conference planning committee extends an open invitation to interested businesses and organizations to be a sponsor of the conference and help make it a success. Sponsorship provides benefits to your organization and opportunities to interact with farmers, fisherfolk, growers, woodland owners and interested community members from Eastern Maine.

Benefits of conference sponsorship include

  • Logo and link on conference web page
  • Recognition in conference social media campaign
  • Introduction and recognition during opening session of conference program
  • Registration and lunch for two individuals
  • One exhibit space in prominent location

Thank you for considering sponsorship of this important event. If your organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please complete this form or email Rachel White, Eastern Maine ROOTS Conference Planning Lead at rachel@maine.edu to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsorship Form

Exhibitor Information

We invite you to exhibit at the Eastern Maine Regional Opportunities for Ocean, Timber and Soils (ROOTS) Conference. This conference is a unique opportunity to connect with farmers, fisherfolk, growers, woodland owners and interested community members from Eastern Maine. The exhibitors will be located in the Reynold’s Center Gymnasium and there will be multiple times scheduled for participants to visit tables.

Complete and Submit to Exhibit at the 2025 Eastern Maine ROOTS Conference:

2025 Eastern Maine ROOTS Exhibitor Registration Form

$50 fee includes table in gymnasium, conference registration and lunch for two people.

Questions?

Contact Tara Wood, tara.a.wood@maine.edu, 207-255-3345

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or 207.255.3345 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).