Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program
Connecting Farmers Through Conversation, Education, and Demonstration
The Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program connects farmers through conversation, education, and demonstration; promotes sustainable farming practices; and strengthens the regional agricultural community through technical support and consultation.
On This Page:
- How to Participate
- Get Involved
- About the Committee
- Our Mission
- How It Works
- Join a Local Network of Producers
- Photo Gallery: Committee in Action
- Waldo County News: Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program
- Statewide Agricultural News and Online Learning
- Contacts
How to Participate
If you are a commercial farm producer in Waldo, Knox, or Lincoln counties, we’d love to connect. In addition to our in-person and online events, Extension Educator Brett Johnson offers one-on-one technical support and consultation, including:
- Soil testing and nutrient management planning
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) planning
- Crop planning and production strategies
- Farm business planning and decision support
Request Technical Assistance:
Contact Brett Johnson at brett.w.johnson@maine.edu or by phone 207.342.5971.
Get Involved
Our approach is collaborative and grounded in what producers tell us they need because the best ideas come from working together, learning from one another, and building on solid, research-based knowledge. The program will provide opportunities to discuss sustainable practices and explore new ideas in ways that are relevant, useful, and responsive to the realities of farming in Midcoast Maine.
Interested in Volunteering to Support the Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program?
Volunteer Role Description
Midcoast Maine Sustainable Agriculture Committee Member
Location: University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Waldo County, 992 Waterville Road, Waldo, ME 04915 | 207.342.5971
Objective
The Midcoast Maine Sustainable Agriculture Committee Member informs the educational and outreach activities of the Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program through a collaborative process.
Qualifications
- Commercial farm producer operating a farm principally or in part on land located in Waldo, Knox, or Lincoln Counties.
- Demonstrate a desire to support the further development and promotion of sustainable farming practices in the counties through the sharing of knowledge and other educational opportunities.
Responsibilities
- Communicates and shares within the committee the educational and outreach needs of the commercial farm producer community in Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln Counties.
- Identifies and prioritizes topics to address with a spring program event series and a field demonstration series to take place on farms across Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln Counties.
- Provides recommendations and referrals to support sustainable agriculture program delivery in the Midcoast region.
Time Commitment
Attend two evening meetings in person at the Waldo County Extension office in January and March 2026. Each meeting is two hours, for a total commitment of four hours.
Training
A brief 10-minute training on respectful dialogue and Extension’s non-discrimination policies will be delivered by the coordinator before committee work begins.
Benefits
- Becoming more aware of sustainable farming practices being utilized on farms in the region.
- Opportunities to meet and network with other local commercial farmers.
- Develop skills in collaborative decision-making.
Program Coordinator
Brett JohnsonAssistant Extension Professor, Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Business Management Educator
992 Waterville Road, Waldo, Maine 04915
207.323.3495 | brett.w.johnson@maine.edu
About the Committee
Our program is shaped by the people it serves through the Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program Committee, which brings together farmers and extension educators to support the evolving needs of commercial farm producers in Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln counties. The committee provides regional insight, helps shape local programming, and supports sustainable agricultural practices. As a member of the committee, you can help guide priorities, share your perspective, and strengthen a supportive network of farmers, educators, and partners working toward a resilient regional agricultural economy and food system.
Our Mission
The Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program connects farmers through conversation, education, and demonstration; promotes sustainable farming practices; and strengthens the regional agricultural community through technical support and consultation.
How It Works
The Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program Committee is a volunteer advisory group tasked with gathering, prioritizing, and communicating the ongoing educational and technical needs of commercial agricultural producers in Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln counties.
- No legal or financial duties
- No elected officers
- Meets twice yearly (during the winter months)
- Helps plan community conversations, spring program, and summer field tours
- Members serve one-year terms, renewable for up to five years, with a one-year break before rejoining.
Committee in Action
Click on image to enlarge photo in lightbox view.
- Pond Construction and Maintenance Workshop, Brodis Blueberries, Hope, Maine.
- How to Prune Mature Apple Trees Workshop, Rockport, Maine.
- Pasture Walk at Waldoview Farm, Winterport, Maine.
Waldo County News: Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program
Episode 95: Potatoes and Midcoast Maine with Brett Johnson
Brett Johnson, Midcoast Sustainable Agriculture Program Coordinator, joins the hosts of the Maine Farmcast to discuss agricultural needs in Midcoast Maine, farm business management, and regional potato varieties.
Statewide Agricultural Events and Online Learning
Discover what’s growing with Extension. Explore statewide agricultural webinars, courses, and learning opportunities.
Contacts
Program Coordinator
Brett Johnson
Assistant Extension Professor, Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Business Management Educator
992 Waterville Road, Waldo, Maine 04915
207.323.3495 | brett.w.johnson@maine.edu
Brett serves farmers in Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln counties with research-based support for soil health, crop management, and farm business planning.
Administrative Contacts:
BillieJo Pendleton
Administrative Specialist CL3, Waldo County
billiejo.pendleton@maine.edu | 207.342.5971
Pamela Doherty
Administrative Specialist, Knox and Lincoln Counties
pamela.doherty@maine.edu | 207.832.0343
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 and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).