Ryan Martin is a nonprofit leader and Certified Fundraising Executive working at the intersection of food systems, agriculture, and the environment.
He currently serves as Executive Director of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, where he oversees a $2.5 million portfolio of USDA-funded programs focused on agricultural research, education, and policy innovation across the Upper Midwest. Throughout his tenure, Ryan guided the organization through a challenging federal funding environment, navigating significant USDA funding reductions, overseeing difficult staffing decisions, strengthening internal systems following federal audits, and leading the development of a new strategic plan to position the organization for long-term stability.
Previously, Ryan served as Executive Director of the Viles Arboretum in Augusta, Maine. During a period of significant growth and organizational change, he led strategic planning efforts, expanded staffing and organizational capacity, renovated the visitor center, and oversaw construction of a new education center. He also developed new partnerships to advance agroforestry and climate research initiatives, strengthening the Arboretum’s role as a regional hub for environmental education and public land stewardship.
Earlier in his career, Ryan worked in agricultural education, teaching horticulture and agriculture at the Midcoast School of Technology. There he helped lead an award-winning program combining regenerative agriculture curriculum with hands-on farm management and agricultural business training for high school students.
Ryan holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Maine at Machias and an M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountain College.
A lifelong Mainer, Ryan grew up in rural Downeast Maine, where his family spent much of their time outdoors and connected to the land. His uncle operated a blueberry farm in the region before it was later acquired by Wyman’s. Today, Ryan and his family are building their own small homestead in Hallowell, Maine.
He lives there with his wife Jessi and their two young children.
