Maine Food & Farm Strategy

Maine Food & Farm Strategy

Advancing Maine’s Food and Farm Future

Supporting the organizations and initiatives reshaping Maine's food system.

Explore our work
A group of partners holding a project award in front of a Maine agricultural building
01

The challenge

Maine’s heritage industries face a wide range of economic, social, and environmental pressures.

Rising input costs, farm profitability challenges, and increasing debt are placing strain on many farm businesses. At the same time, farmers are navigating issues such as succession and transition planning, mental health stress, and the need for many farm families to rely on multiple sources of income. Climate variability, changing pest pressures, and the transition toward more regenerative farming practices are adding further complexity to an already challenging landscape.

560

Maine farms lost

82,000

Acres of farmland lost

2017–2022 · USDA Census of Agriculture
02

What we do

From Concept to Implementation.

Maine Food & Farm Strategy is a boots-on-the-ground consultancy helping move Maine toward a stronger, more sustainable food system. We help nonprofits, coalitions, public agencies, and private institutions design programs, secure funding, and build the partnerships needed to turn ambitious ideas into action.

  1. 01

    Strategic Planning and Research

    Developing data-informed strategies and evaluating opportunities for food and agriculture organizations and initiatives.

  2. 02

    Project Design and Implementation

    Designing and launching initiatives that support farmers, organizations, and rural communities.

  3. 03

    Fundraising

    Helping organizations secure funding through grants, partnerships, and donor development.

  4. 04

    Fractional & Interim Leadership

    Providing experienced leadership support during transitions, growth periods, and major initiatives.

ResearchDesignFundLead
03

Selected work

Windsor Fair Agricultural Education

Agricultural Education Center

Architectural rendering of the Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center

Project context

A permanent, publicly accessible facility on the Windsor Fairgrounds designed as a year-round statewide resource for agricultural education, career exploration, farmer support, and partner-led programming.

MFFS role

Project design and implementation, fundraising, and leadership support.

Ryan Martin walking with U.S. Senator Susan Collins at the Windsor Fair

A year-round hub for agricultural education, workforce development, and farm viability in Maine.

Maine Food & Farm Strategy is nonpartisan and works across political lines to strengthen Maine’s food and farm future.

04

People

Ryan Martin
Ryan MartinFounder & Principal Consultant Read bioClose bio

Ryan Martin is a nonprofit executive and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience across food, agriculture, education, and organizational leadership. He began his career as a horticultural science teacher before moving into the nonprofit sector, where he advanced into senior leadership roles. Since then, he has led organizational change, developed and managed complex initiatives, and overseen tens of millions of dollars in food and agriculture projects across the country.

Ryan holds an M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems and a B.S. in Environmental Studies.

Ryan on LinkedIn Certified Fund Raising Executive credential badge
Lily Krietzberg carrying plants in a working garden setting
Lily KrietzbergProject Consultant Read bioClose bio

Lily is a Project Consultant with Maine Food & Farm Strategy, supporting select projects involving agriculture, community engagement, and project implementation.

After apprenticing on several small, chemical-free family farms to learn about growing food and living closer to the land, Lily served in AmeriCorps as the garden coordinator for a public elementary school. There, she saw firsthand how having a garden to love and care for can foster meaningful community engagement, a sense of belonging, and resilience.

Lily founded Seeds to Smiles in August 2025 with this in mind. She now creates beautiful, functional, and engaging outdoor spaces for organizations including schools, nursing homes, restaurants, youth centers, and summer camps.

05

Field Notes

09 entries

Let’s talk.

Have a project or question in mind? Tell me a little about it.

This opens your email app with your message ready to send to Ryan.

Or email ryan@mainefoodfarmstrategy.com