Advancing Maine’s Food and Farm Future
Supporting the organizations and initiatives reshaping Maine's food system.
Helping Maine’s food and agricultural organizations turn ambitious ideas into action.
Maine agriculture plays an important role in the state’s economy and rural communities, but farmers today 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. Between 2017 and 2022, Maine lost more than 560 farms and 82,000 acres of farmland, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture. These trends highlight the need for stronger coordination, thoughtful strategy, and new approaches across Maine’s food and agricultural system.
Maine Food & Farm Strategy works directly with organizations across the food and agricultural system that are working to address these challenges. We help nonprofits, coalitions, public agencies, and agricultural partners design programs, secure funding, and build the partnerships needed to turn ambitious ideas into action.
What we do
Strategic Planning
Helping organizations clarify direction, align leadership, and develop practical strategies for long-term impact.
Program & Initiative Development
Designing agricultural education programs, sector initiatives, and collaborative projects that support farmers and rural communities.
Fundraising
Supporting organizations in securing funding through grant writing (state, federal, and private) and through the development of individual and business donor relationships.
Fractional & Interim Leadership
Providing experienced leadership support during organizational transitions, growth periods, or major initiatives.
Selected Work
Windsor Fair Agricultural Education Center
Maine Food & Farm Strategy is supporting early planning and strategy development for a proposed Agricultural Education Center hosted at the Windsor Fair. The initiative aims to expand agricultural education, workforce development, and public engagement with the Maine agricultural community.
This work includes helping shape the initiative, convening partners, and developing strategies for program development and fundraising.