Beginning Farmer Resources
Soil & Water Conservation Districts
To find out what is being offered in counties around the state, visit Maine Association of Conservation Districts at maineconservationdistricts.com.
Maine Farmer Resource Network of Maine
Maine Association of Conservation Districts is a member of the Maine Farmer Resource Network of Maine (MFRN), a coalition of Maine agriculture agencies and organizations working to connect aspiring and beginning farmers; farmers considering farm succession and transfer planning; as well as farmers interested in starting a new enterprise to resources for farm business success. The BFRN website provides resources that address a variety of topics from business planning, learning how to farm or acquiring land to managing risks and understanding regulations and taxes. Each year BFRN sponsors workshops at the Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.
UMaine Cooperative Extension
Knox-Lincoln, Brett Johnson, brett.w.johnson@maine.edu, 207-832-0343, 377 Manktown Rd, Waldoboro, ME 04572
Piscataquis, So You Want to Farm in Maine? This free webinar series is offered from time to time by Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension. It's purpose is to equip people with the business knowledge and skills to start, adapt, and maintain a profitable land-based business. It is designed for people who want to start a profitable farm or expand their farm hobby to a profitable business.
USDA Farm Service Agency
Farm programs, farm loans, price support, Knox-Lincoln counties, Maria Granger, County Executive Director, maria.granger@me.usda.gov, 207-622-7847
MOFGA Farm Training Project
Click HERE for more information and the complete schedule.
These workshops are designed for and targeted to participants in MOFGA's Apprenticeship Program, but are free and open to anyone interested. They are intended to give apprentices and other young, beginning, or aspiring farmers the chance to visit other farms, learn from farmers about their areas of expertise, and socialize with peers. They generally begin in the late afternoon with a farm tour, followed by a presentation and demonstration on the topic of the day.
USDA NRCS Field Offices
Farm Bill conservation programs and technical assistance.
Knox County, Peter Abello, District Conservationist, peter.abello@usda.gov, 207-338-1964, 49 Little River Dr., Belfast, ME 04915
Lincoln County, Amanda Burton, District Conservationist, 207-622-7847 x3, amanda.burton@usda.gov, 2305 North Belfast Ave., Augusta, ME 04330
Soil Health Awareness (USDA website)
Resources for New Farmers (USDA website)
Resources for Small and Mid-size Farms (USDA website)
Woodland Stewards Program
The Woodland Stewards Program is an online curriculum developed to help landowners learn more about their woodlot and options for its long-term stewardship. Because it is web-based, you may take the course at your leisure, at times and paces convenient to you. This program is a collaborative effort of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Maine TREE Foundation and New England Forestry Foundation. For more information and to register: Woodland Stewards Program