FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Groups working on food and plant production (agriculture) and food consumption and distribution. Includes those working on hunger issues, organic agriculture, and healthy eating.

Agricultural Associations
c/o Dept. of Ag., Food, & Rural Resources, State House Station 28
Augusta, ME 04333
287-3491  Fax 287-7548
Has information on dozens of associations in Maine, from beekeepers and blueberries to aquaculture.

Black Bear Food Guild
5722 Deering Hall, UMO
Orono, ME 04469
581-2913  Fax: 581-2999
Mariann2@maine.edu
A student-run community supported agricultural project initiated by students of the Sustainable Agriculture Program.  Operation consists of approximately two acres in organically certified vegetable production and another acre in cover crop and/or grain production.  Students market produce at local farmers markets.

Bread for the World--See International

Business Alliance for Commerce in Hemp (BACH)
PO Box 446
Lincoln, ME 04457
794-6941 
Cullen Stuart
Trying to restore the most profitable and desirable agricultural crop available--cannabis hemp.

Common Ground Country Fair
Crosby Brook Rd, PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
568-4142  Fax: 568-4141
cgcf@mofga.org
www.mofga.org
Heather Spalding
The Common Ground Fair encourages the revival of agriculturally-based rural communities by creating markets for Maine's organic farmers and small businesspeople and offering extensive educational programs.  A celebration of sustainable living in the northeast bioregion, the CG Fair is the 3rd weekend after Labor Day each year and usually attracts 50,000+ people.

Co-op Voices Unite--See Consumers

Cooperatives--Dept. of Agriculture Marketing Division
State House Station 28
Augusta, ME 04333
287-3491  Fax: 287-7548
www.state.me.us/agriculture
Published "The Cooperative: An Alternative Agricultural Business Structure" in 1998 with legal and procedural information on how to organize an agricultural (or any kind of) cooperative in Maine.  Also has an extensive list of agricultural, fishing, marketing, electrical, and other cooperatives and credit unions in Maine.

Crown O' Maine Organic Cooperative
PO Box 565
Madawaska, ME 04756
895-5234 
We are an association of small organic farms that markets potatoes and other roots crops cooperatively.

Cultivating Community--See Community Development

Farm Credit of Maine--See Financial Assistance and Foundations

Farmer's Markets
Dept. of Agriculture, State House Station 28
Augusta, ME 04333
287-3491 
getrealme@maine.gov
www.getrealmaine.com
Statewide resource for summer markets, selling locally-grown fresh produce and other local products.  Call or visit our website for a complete list (over 50 at last count) of markets throughout Maine.

Fedco Seeds/Bulbs/Trees and Moose/Organic Growers Supply
PO Box 520
Waterville, ME 04903
873-7333 
A consumer/worker cooperative offering low-cost, high-quality herb, vegetable, and flower seeds, garden books and accessories, soil amendments and cover crops. Write or call for catalogues.

Foggy Bottom Wild Blueberry Coop
PO Box 569
East Machias, ME 04630
255-4167 
rfgnde@nemaine.com
Mike Look
A nonprofit coop formed by wild blueberry growers to market a block of berries from one half to one million pounds.  Growers also can negotiate for lower prices on fertilizers and other supplies.

Food Buying Clubs
Contact your local or nearest storefront food coop (see below) or a natural foods wholesaler for the location of local food buying clubs.

Food Coop Stores
Food coop stores generally carry a full line of natural and organic foods, herbs, health aids, and personal care items.  Anyone can shop; cooperative members work in exchange for discounts.  Bulk ordering may also be available.  Some stores carry books and gifts and other items. Coop stores in Maine are listed below:

Belfast Cooperative Store
123 High St.
Belfast, ME 04915
338-2532 

Blue Hill Food Co-op
Greene's Hill, Route 172, PO Box 1133
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-2165

Fare Share Co-op Store
443 Main St.
Norway, ME 04268
743-9044 
 

For Goodness Sake Co-op
PO Box 10, HOME Coop
Orland, ME 04472
469-7961 

Good Tern Co-op
750 Main St.*
Rockland, ME 04841
594-8822

Rising Tide Natural Foods Co-op
15 Coastal Market Drive
Damariscotta, ME 04543
563-5556 

Food Pantries
www.state.me.us/agriculture/supplies/food program/foodbank.htm
Food pantries provide food on a temporary basis to persons in need.  Most food items provided are non-perishable, although some accept and distribute garden produce during harvest season.  Many individuals, nonprofits, and churches run food pantries in their communities (over 100 statewide).  For a statewide list, check Good Shepherd Food Bank (see below).  Partial lists also from Maine Coalition for Food Security and Partners in Ending Hunger. Check these 3 listings and the Information and Low-Income sections and the website.

GE Free Maine
PO Box 7805
Portland, ME 04112
244-0908
info@gefreemaine.org
http://www.gefreemaine.org
Goals are to protect Maine farmers from threats posed by genetically engineered food through GE Free Zones and protection from liability issues through farmer pledges, town resolutions, and public education about the dangers of genetically engineered crops.

Good Shepherd Food Bank
415 Lisbon St., Lewiston (warehouse), PO Box 3308
Auburn, ME 04212
782-3554 
gsfb@gsfb.com
www.gsfb.com  
A clearinghouse for food and non-food products which are no longer marketable but still nutritionally sound.  After inspection, these products are distributed to other tax-exempt organizations that, in turn, directly serve those needing food.

Hancock County Organic Growers
206 Ellsworth Rd.
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-5905; 374-8809
We are a marketing cooperative of eight small certified organic farmers operating a farmstand in Blue Hill selling our produce, meat, eggs, maple syrup and other processed food.  We also operate a wholesale business serving restaurants and retailers on the Blue Hill Peninsula.

Herb Fest of Maine
PO Box 329
Phillips, ME 04966
639-2005
kdunham@tdstelme.net
Herb Fest is held annually on the 1st Saturday of June at Common Ground Fairgrounds in Unity.  Educating people about the history, uses, and propagation of edible and medicinal cultivated herbs as well as endangered wild herbs.

Independent Food Project
181 Ellsworth Rd.
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-3281
ifp@independentfoodproject.org
Education, training, and materials to help people reintroduce small-scale agriculture into their communities. The project is trying to make organic, locally grown food available to all, regardless of income.

Khadighar
39 Bailey Rd.
Industry, ME 04938
778-3387
A service-oriented demonstration farm featuring veganic farming and a vegetarian, self-reliant lifestyle. We offer classes and tours during the growing season. Write or call for a schedule. We also sponsor the Scatterseed Project.

Local Food
PO Box 538
Temple, ME 04984
779-0635; 778-3513
Cyndy Stancioff
Encouraging people in western Maine to buy local food and supporting local food production. Published a "Guide to Local Food in the Farmington Area" in fall, 2000 and updated the list more recently.

Lots to Gardens
PO Box 7291
Lewiston, ME 04243
753-6944
lotstogardens@yahoo.com
http://www.lotstogardens.com
Promotes community gardens and local food production and consumption in the L-A area.

Maine Farmland Trust
PO Box 1597
97 Main St.
Belfast, ME 04915
338-6575
info@mainefarmlandtrust.org
We are organized to preserve and protect farmland in Maine and to make that land available for farmers.  We work with local land trusts and local and state government agencies.

Maine Ginseng Growers Association
PO Box 382
Andover, ME 04216
Wendy Green
We are dedicated to research, cooperative learning, and education for cultivation and marketing of ginseng, especially woods-grown ginseng as part of the economic and environmental enhancement and multiple use of Maine's woodlands.

Maine Homestead & Community Self Reliance Skills Training Network--see Economic Development

Maine Initiatives Harvest Fund--See Financial Assistance and Foundations

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
568-4142  Fax 568-4141 
mofga@mofga.org
www.mofga.org
Educates 4000+ farmers and gardeners and 60,000+ consumers about environmentally-sound growing practices.  Programs include Common Ground Country Fair (see separate listing), educational programs, farm apprenticeship, farm certification, agricultural advocacy, publications, and events featuring organic agricultural methods. Local chapters listed below:

MOFGA - Hancock County
206 Ellsworth Rd.
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-8809 

MOFGA - Northern Penobscot County
c/o Easton, PO Box 346
Patten, ME 04765
528-2166 

MOFGA - Sagadahoc County
53 Sprague Rd.
Phippsburg, ME 04562
389-1565

MOFGA - Somerset County
526 Dexter Rd.
St. Albans, ME 04971
938-3906

MOFGA - Waldo County
554 Dickey Hill Rd.
Monroe, ME 04951
525-3104

Maine Right to Know--See Consumer Action and Information

Maine Seed Saving Network
RR 1 Box 42-A
Penobscot, ME 04476
326-0751 
Nicholas Lindholm
A nonprofit membership organization serving all gardeners and farmers who are interested in growing and saving seed from food and ornamental crops.  We produce a quarterly newsletter, an annual list of seeds being saved by members.  We host an annual seed swap event each spring.

Maine Tree Crop Alliance
RFD 1, Box 282
Unity, ME 04988
Jack Kertesz
568-3444 
Network of nut- and fruit-tree enthusiasts who work to increase the knowledge of crop-bearing trees.  Sponsors scion swap in spring and fruit swap in fall.

Maine Vegetarian Resource Network
673 Oak Hill Rd
Belfast, ME 04915
338-1861 
sharig@ctel.net
Shari Greenfield
We are dedicated to the promotion of healthier living, environmental healing and respect for the rights of animals through vegetarianism. Call for chapter in your area.

Maine Women's Agricultural Network (WAgN)
24 Main St.
Lisbon Falls, ME 04353
800-287-1458, 353-5550 fax 353-5558
http://www.umaine.edu/emext.waan
Vivianne Holmes
We are a statewide program to enable women and other under-served people to successfully own, operate and support agriculturally related enterprises.  Members benefit from outreach, advocacy, mentoring and accessibility to existing agricultural and entrepreneurial training opportunities.

Mainers for Safe Food
669 Waning Rd.
Unity, ME 04988
437-2477 
Our goal is to promote public education and action that encourages the availability and use of safe and healthy foods, such as organic foods or those without genetically engineered ingredients.

McLaughlin Foundation
101 Main St.
South Paris, ME 04281
743-8820 Fax: 743-3977
mclgarden@megalink.net
www.mclaughlingardem/cp
Lee Dassler
Works to preserve the 19th-century farm building and landscape while creating a Center for Maine Horticulture on the site.

Medomak Valley Heirloom Seed Project
320 Manktown Road
Waldoboro, ME 04572
832-6321; 832-5389 
Neil_Lash@sad40.k12.me.us
http://shakespear.mvhs.sad40.k12.me.us
Neil Lash
We are collecting and growing as many local heirloom seeds as we can find.  Have heirloom seeds from all over the world available for purchase; about 75 varieties of garlic. Send $1.75 for a catalog of some 500 varieties.

Morris Farm Trust
PO Box 136
Wiscasset, ME 04578
882-4080  Fax: 882-7390
morrisfarm@morrisfarm.org
www.morrisfarm.org
Christine James
A working farm and agricultural educational center in midcoast Maine.  The trust promotes increased consumption of locally-grown foods and offers hand-on educational programs for schools and summer day camps, plus adult workshops, apprenticeship opportunities, and special events.

New American Sustainability Project
c/o Maine Rural Workers Coalition
145 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
753-1922
mrwc@gwi.net
Creating farming and other agricultural opportunities for Latino and African immigrants to Lewiston and other neighboring communities.

Northeast Resistance Against Genetic Engineering (NERAGE)
526 Dexter Rd.
St. Albans, ME 04971
938-3906
billib66@yahoo.com
Billi Barker
Regional group working against genetic engineered food and other agricultural crops.  Contact us for information on current campaigns.

Organization for Transformative Farming
89 Auburn St. Boox 1140
Portland, ME 04103
247-5727, 838-0964 fax: 247-5727
info@otfinc.org
To support family farms with innovative methods that will support the production of locally grown food in healthier and environmentally cleaner ways.

Partners in Ending Hunger
309 Cumberland Ave. #206
Portland, ME 04101
553-2056 fax 553-2058, 800-786-7486 fax 553-2058
dianne@endhungernow.org
http://www.endhungernow.org
We work strategically to have Maine take on ending hunger.  Our mission is to generate power and momentum for the work of ending hunger by raising public awareness, shifting perceptions, building partnerships, cultivating leadership and directing financial resources.  Projects include the Ending Hunger Walk in May and Ending Hunger Week in November.

Portland Victory Gardens
PO Box 1992
Portland, ME 04104
761-1504
pvg@riseup.net
Modeled after the Victory Gardens Project in Athens, PVG combines urban gardening with ecological sustainability, economic justice, and social change.

Project FEED
202 Woodford St.
Portland, ME 04103
761-3920 
jbcraig@aol.com
One of over 100 food pantries throughout Maine (see Food Pantries listing). Food Pantry for those with a referral from a government or nonprofit group.  Serves Greater Portland.

Scatterseed Project
39 Bailey Rd.
Farmington, ME 04938
778-3387 
Will Bonsall
Conserving our global heritage by collecting, propagating, and distributing samples of seeds, tubers, or cuttings from the world.  Focuses on crop species which are often ignored -- peas, potatoes, parsnips, parsley, and others.  Central curators at Khadighar Farm (see their listing) for these species collections for the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

SERVE New England--See Community Development

Soup Kitchens
www.state.me.us/agriculture/opplis/foodprogram/foodbank.htm
Soup Kitchens are operated by both religious and non-religious groups and are usually open to the public for noontime meals and/or evening dinners.  Most operate on some or all weekdays; a few are weekend only.  For an overall statewide list (there are some 30 to 50 in Maine), the best source is Good Shepherd Food Bank. Partial lists are also available from the Maine Coalition for Food Security and Partners in Ending Hunger. Besides checking the listings for these 3 groups, check the Information section and the Community Action Programs in the Low Income section.  Also check the above website.

Southern Maine Dairy Goat Association
17 Berry Road
Saco, ME 04072
284-6440 Fax: 284-6440
chateaume@aol.com
www.agdomain.com/web/somaine
Bob Cassette
We are dedicated to the promotion of dairy goats and their products via exhibits, such as fairs, around Maine. Our nonprofit provides the general public with an opportunity to become acquainted with the fine qualities of dairy goats and their products. This association is one of many agricultural associations in Maine. See Agricultural Associations (above) for where to find a complete list.

Stone House Botanical Garden--See Environment

Stone Soup Institute--See Education

Sustainable Agriculture Program
5722 Deering Hall, UMO
Orono, ME 04469
581-2913 
Marianne Sarrantonio
An undergraduate academic program emphasizing food production systems built on principles that are ecologically, sociologically and economically sound.  Students take a variety of courses in crop and soil sciences, pest management, resource use economics, as well as obtaining hands-on field experiences on University or private farms.

Vegnet Website for Maine
www.biddeford.com/vegnet/
Vegetarian Internet resources in Maine and beyond.

Victory Gardens Project
RFD 1 Box 6025
Athens, ME 04912
858-5842 
We offer a unique gardening model based on "old ways."  Growing food together strengthens community and addresses basic human needs.  This project's politics go deeper to the root; through meaningful and productive gardening work together, we examine root causes of social barriers and break them down.  This is a rural-urban approach with radical anti-oppression and prison issues as a driving force.

Winter Cache Project
PO Box 1303
Portland, ME 04104
wintercache@riseup.net
Promotes community gardening, urban gardening, seed saving, and local food production by growing food, food storage facilities, and local food resource information. Also discusses food politics and promotes food self-sufficiency for Maine.