Maine New Farmers Project

Welcome New Farmers! Is Farming the Career for You?

University of Maine Cooperative Extension can help you decide if farming in Maine is right for you.

artwork for Maine New Farmers Project Have you been farming for fewer than 10 years? Are you a farmhand? Do you own your own farm? Do you hope to own or lease your own farm? The University of Maine Cooperative Extension can help!

Have you had a life-long dream of being a farmer in Maine and wonder if you and your family can make it work? Maybe you grew up on a farm and now want to run your own. Or are you intrigued with the possibilities of life on a farm and looking for an apprenticeship? UMaine Extension has been helping Maine farmers for over 90 years. We can help you, too!

UMaine Extension’s Maine New Farmers Project is here to help beginning farmers get their farms or farming careers started. “Beginning or new farmers” refers to any farmers who have been farming for 0-10 years. So, whether you are thinking about getting a job at a farm, or you have an established farm that has been around 10 years (or anything in between)…we are here for you!

Questions? Contact Chris Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager christina.howard@maine.edu

The Maine New Farmer Newsletter:A once-a-month newsletter providing up-to-date information and event announcements for New Farmers in Maine. Click the image above for more information and to sign up for email notifications!

Business Planning 4 ProducersA course to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to start, adapt, and maintain a profitable land or sea-based business. Click image for more information.

Find Funding For Your FarmClick here for a current list of funding opportunities for farms in Maine.

Why Are You Seeking Out Farm Training?2022 New Farmer Survey Results!

Protect Your Farm With Crop InsuranceClick here to find out about crop insurance plans and what discounts are offered to New Farmers.

young woman leads two yoked oxen down dirt road

Maine Farmer Resource Network

Self-Assessment: Are You Ready to Start a Farm Business?The questions in this self-assessment will help you decide whether starting a farm business is right for you. The survey is designed to give you guidance and help you find areas where you need more data for starting your farm. Click to complete and submit a self-assessment.

Farm Sitters in Maine

Are you interested in Farm Sitting, but don’t know where to start?

Our Maine Farm Sitting Course will be in the Fall of 2023. Let us know if you are interested and we’ll let you know when registration opens up!

"As organic farmers, we value University of Maine Cooperative Extension as our top agricultural resource here in Piscataquis County. Being new farmers, we especially benefit from the Piscataquis County Extension office's focus on facilitating networking and skill-sharing between farmers, gardeners, and community members alike through programs such as the Maine Highlands Farmers, the You Can series, and more. Extension's soil testing and pest and disease identification services are invaluable to our ability to grow healthy crops for the dozens of local families that rely on us for their seasonal veggies. Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension is truly an extension of our farm!" Eugene and Mary Margaret Ripley, Ripley Farm, Dover-Foxcroft

This work is supported by Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development Program [grant no. 2021-70033-35716] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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This is a Maine-based New Farmer peer-to-peer network to provide new farmers in Maine with increased opportunities to connect with each other. As part of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, we will provide the latest research-based information and learning opportunities throughout the state.