Connecting with Others
Do you want to network and “connect” with other new farmers, established farmers, and experts in the field?
We’ve compiled the following lists of organizations, associations, institutions, networks, as well as public and private entities just for you! Review these lists and find the right connections for your interests and expertise.
At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a listing of Maine New Farmers Projects’ Partner Organizations. We suggest that you visit their websites for even more New Farmer programming and resources.
Table of Contents
- Farm Relief/Financial Assistance
- Maine Agricultural Associations
- Natural Resources
- Networks
- Partner Organizations to Maine New Farmers Project
- Social Networks
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension Programming Areas
Farm Relief/Financial Assistance
- Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI) is a private, nonprofit Community Development Corporation and Community Development Financial Institution that provides financing and support for job-creating small businesses, natural resources industries, community facilities, and affordable housing.
- Farm Credit of Maine is a member of the Farm Credit System, a national network of banks and lending institutions that serve U.S. agribusinesses and the nation’s rural economy.
- Maine Food Atlas allows users to discover local food assets in their community.
- Maine Risk Management and Crop Insurance Education Program
- Northeast Sustainable Agriculture & Research Education (SARE) program offers competitive grants for new ideas in farming that improve profits, stewardship, and the vibrancy of farm communities.
- Occupational Outlook for Farmers, from the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Start Farming — a project of the National Agricultural Library in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Start Farming is funded through a USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Beginning Farming and Ranching Development Program grant and was developed to assist people new to farming or ranching and those who have fewer than 10 years of experience.
- USDA’s Farm Service Agency — Administers programs in conservation, disaster assistance, commodity operations, farm loans, and outreach. USDA county offices throughout the state. The state office is located in Bangor, 207.990.9100 ext 2.
Maine Agricultural Associations
Join an association today to stay up-to-date in your agricultural sector:
- Maine Aquaculture Association
- Maine Beef Producers Association
- Maine Christmas Tree Association
- Maine Farm Bureau
- Maine Grass Farmers Network
- Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
- Maine Maple Producers Association
- Maine Milk Commission
- Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
- Maine Organic Milk Producers
- Maine Pomological Society
- Maine Potato Board
- Maine Sheep Breeders Association
- Maine State Beekeepers Association
- Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society
- Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association
- Ornamental Horticulture Council
- The United Veteran Farmers of Maine
- Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine
Natural Resources
- Maine Department of Agriculture (DACF) — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources is the State’s lead agency dealing with all aspects of the food system from the field to the table. The Department maintains multiple programs to address needs and issues affecting Maine’s natural resources. Contact 207.287.3871.
- National Resource Conservation Service — County soil surveys are available at local NRCS offices or on the USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service’s Soils page.
Networks
- Maine Farmer Resource Network — The Maine Farmer Resource Network is a coalition of Maine agriculture agencies and organizations working together to connect aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers to resources for farm business success.
- Maine Grass Farmers’ Network
- Maine Farmland Trust is an award-winning statewide organization committed to strengthening farming in Maine. Their Maine FarmLink is a farm transfer program that connects prospective farmers seeking farmland with retiring farmers and other farmland owners who wish to see their agricultural lands remain active.
Social Networks
Find Us on Facebook
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.
New farmers have been farming for 0-10 years and this public forum is for all. UMaine Cooperative Extension is hosting this group with funding from USDA NIFA Grant #2021-70033-35716.
Sign Up for the Maine Vegetable and Berry Growers Email Listserv
Get connected with other commercial growers here in Maine. For more information, visit the Grower Resources page on UMaine Extension’s Cumberland County website.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Programming Areas
- Agriculture
- Farm Safety
- Highmoor Farm
- Insect Pests, Plant Diseases & Pesticide Safety
- Maine Food and Agricultural Center
- Precision Agriculture
- Potato Program
- Resources for Small Food Businesses in Maine
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Maine New Farmers Project: Partner Organizations
Click on the link beneath the partner logo to visit each of our partners’ websites for more New Farmer programming and resources.
