Who We Are
Members of the MFRN Leadership Council
The Maine Farmer Resource Network is a partnership of institutions, agencies, and organizations dedicated to supporting new farmers. Together, we provide resources, guidance, and expertise to help farmers succeed in building sustainable and thriving agricultural businesses. Our network combines diverse perspectives and strengths to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing beginning farmers across our region.
Free business planning services and a variety of financing options for farms and other small businesses.
- Bradley Russell, Sustainable Ag and Food Systems Program Director, brussell@ceimaine.org
Loans and business coaching.
- Chris Linder, Loan and Outreach Officer, chris@coopfund.coop
New American Sustainable Agriculture Project, farmer training programs.
- Sandy Alles, Director of Farm Sales, sandy@cultivatingcommunity.org
Loans, leasing, appraisal, tax and payroll services, credit life insurance and crop insurance services.
- Shannon Webber, Regional Credit Leader, shannon.webber@farmcrediteast.com
- Matt Doyen, FarmStart Advisor, matthew.doyen@farmcrediteast.com
Personalized service, offering a comprehensive range of loans, financial products, services, health savings accounts and retirement planning options.
- Joanna McCormick, AVP of Ag Relationships, jmccormick@fivecounty.com
Caring support and expert guidance to help farmers, landowners and communities navigate the challenges of land access, tenure, and transfer.
- Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent, info@landforgood.org
Foundation Free service that connects eligible farmers, food entrepreneurs, and organizations to attorneys.
- Phelps Turner, Senior Attorney, pturner@clf.org
- Mary Lovell Egan, Senior Program Coordinator, mlovellegan@clf.org
Foundation Free service that connects eligible farmers, food entrepreneurs, Helps farmers, fishermen, and forest workers work safely and more productively.
- Caragh Fitzgerald, Project Director, cfitzgerald@maine.edu
Conflict resolution/mediation, contract and lease consultation & co- drafting, and financial coaching.
- Sheila Leonard, maineagmediation@maine.edu
- Lucy Wess, Director, Lucille.wess@maine.edu
Supports aquatic growers.
- Christian Brayden, Project Manager, christian@maineaqua.org
Regulation resources for beginning farmers, aquatic farmers, and foresters.
- Matthew Boucher, Soil Scientist, matthew.boucher@maine.gov
- Brittany Peats, Farm to Institution, Brittany.peats@maine.gov
- Mariam Taleb, Farm Viability & Farmland Protection, mariam.taleb@maine.gov
Network resources, campaigns for agriculture as a whole.
Supports farmers, farmland access, farm viability, land protection.
- Sue Lanpher, FarmLink Coordinator, info@mainefarmlink.org
- Catherine Durkin, Technical Assistance Specialist, catherine@mainefarmlandtrust.org
Farm viability, assists farmers and consumers, farmer’s market programs.
- Jimmy DeBiasi, Director, snap@mffm.org
Business advising, training and business resources.
- Ann McAlhany, Certified Business Advisor, ann.mcalhany@ceimaine.org
Resources for coastal communities.
- Chris Bartlett, Staff Development & Research Support, cbartlett@maine.edu
- Dana Morse, Aquaculture Lead, dana.morse@maine.edu
- Jaclyn Robidoux, Marine Extension Associate, jaclyn.robidoux@maine.edu
Organic agriculture resources, events, trainings and programs; Organic certification; Advocacy.
- Ryan Dennett, Programs Director, rdennett@mofga.org
- Bo Dennis, Beginning Farmer Programs, bdennis@mofga.org
- Anna Mueller, Farmer Professional Development Specialist, amueller@mofga.org
Sustainable agriculture resources.
- William Giordano, info@mesas.org
Business mentors, courses and webinars.
- Allyn Lamb, SCORE Maine Ag Mentor, allyn.lamb@scorevolunteer.org
- Stephen Veazey, SCORE Maine Ag Mentor, stephen.veazey@scorevolunteer.org
New American community farming programs and resources, land access.
- Muhidin Libah, Executive Director, muhidin@somalibantumaine.org
Research-based production resources.
- Deborah Bouchard, Director, deborah.bouchard@maine.edu
Research-based production resources.
- Leslie Forstadt, Human Development Specialist, Farm Stress & Coaching, leslie.forstadt@maine.edu
- Tori Jackson, Ag & Natural Resources Leader, tori.jackson@maine.edu
- Jason Lilley, Sustainable Ag & Maple Educator, jason.lilley@maine.edu
- Brett Johnson, Sustainable Ag & Farm Business Mgmt Educator, brett.w.johnson@maine.edu
- Rebecca Long, Horticulture Training Programs Coordinator, rebecca.j.long@maine.edu
- Christina Howard, New Farmer Education, christina.howard@maine.edu
- Sheila Leonard, PFAS Navigator Program, um.pfasnavcoord@maine.edu
Loans, disaster relief, conservation programs, regulation resources.
- Jackie Bell, Farm Loan Chief, Jacqueline.Bell@usda.gov
- Amanda May, Farm Program Chief, Amanda.May@usda.gov
Conservation programs, financial and technical assistance.
- Thomas Kielbasa, Public Affairs Specialist, thomas.kielbasa@usda.gov
- Chuck Penney, Outreach Coordinator, charles.penney@usda.gov
Loans and grants, water and energy infrastructure programs.
- Leigh Hallett, Public Information Officer, leigh.hallett@usda.gov
- Morgan Hotham, Community Outreach Coordinator, morgan.hotham@usda.gov
Agricultural surveys and statistical reports.
- Pam Hird, State Statistician, pam.hird@usda.gov
Educational demonstrations, apprenticeships, and resources.
- Thomas Prohl, Trainer for future organic farmers, tprohl@wolfesneck.org
Direct Your Inquiries:
If you represent an agency or institution that works with Maine farmers and are interested in presenting to MFRN, please contact Tori Jackson, Chairperson, at tori.jackson@maine.edu.