Agricultural Information:
• Maine Farmland Trust (MFT)
The purpose of Maine Farmland Trust is to permanently preserve and protect Maine’s agricultural land; to assist landowners, land trusts, and municipal and state agencies in identifying and protecting agricultural land; and to make those agricultural lands available for farmers in the future.
• Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA)
CFRA website has information on legislative issues, rural development updates and other helpful links for all farmers.
https://www.cfra.org/resources/beginning_farmer/linking_programs
• Cooperative Development Institute (CDI)
Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) is the source for cooperative business development in the Northeast. Our mission is to work with people in the Northeast to create cooperative businesses and networks that grow a prosperous, equitable economy.
• Eat Local Foods Coalition of Maine (ELFC)
The Eat Local Foods Coalition (ELFC) is a nonprofit coalition of individuals and organizations committed to promoting and increasing in-state consumption of Maine farm products.
• Get Real Get Maine
A comprehensive website for both consumers and producers in Maine.
• Growing New Farmers
Geared towards both new farmers and service providers who work with new farmers. Includes a directory, Q&A, and a variety of useful information.
http://www.smallfarm.org/main/special_projects/growing_new_farmers/
• Jobs in Maine
Helping people find employment in Maine through Agriculture and other avenues.
http://www.jobsinme.com/jobs_category/ME_Maine_Statewide_Agriculture+Forestry+Fishing.html
• Lambert Coffin
With offices in both Portland and Blue Hill, we represent farmers and food producers. The food industry is unique, growing, and has specific legal needs that cannot always be met with a more generalized practice.
• Land For Good
We help find solutions that are good for farmers, landowners, communities and the land. We lead and collaborate on community agriculture projects. We conduct educational workshops and professional trainings.
FINDING YOUR DREAM FARM – Necessary, Desirable, Optional Worksheet
• Legal Food Hub
A free legal services clearinghouse for farmers, food entrepreneurs, and related organizations.
• Local Harvest
Promoting local food through listings of CSAs, farmers’ markets, food co-ops and restaurants. Free and easy to list your farm or event.
• Maine Agricultural Center (MAC)
MAC brings together the agriculturally related programs of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture; the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
• Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Offers a number of programs for farmers. Including the below links:
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/business_and_market_development/farmer_education/index.shtml
• Maine Farm Bureau
Maine Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, non-profit voluntary organization that lobbies for issues important to agriculture, landowners and the rural way of life.
http://www.mainefarmbureau.com
• Maine Farms Project at CEI
Coordinates several business development programs including: Farm Financing; Farm Counseling; Farms for the Future; Image Building Concepts & New American Farmers
http://www.ceimaine.org/financing/business-financing/targeted-loan-programs/#Agriculture
• Maine Green Jobs
Maine Green Jobs – Maine Environmental Jobs – ME – Green Jobs NetworkThis is a listing of resources to assist job seekers in Maine (ME) who are looking for jobs or careers that focus on social or environmental responsibility
• Maine Organic Farmers’ and Gardeners’ Association (MOFGA)
MOFGA’s programs include certification, education, apprenticeships, policy updates, the Common Ground Country Fair, and all things organic throughout the state. www.mofga.org
MOFGA offers the apprenticeship program for beginning organic
farmers http://www.mofga.org/Programs/FarmApprenticeships/tabid/502/Default.aspx and the journeyperson program http://www.mofga.org/Programs/Journeypersons/tabid/228/Default.aspx for more experienced farmers.
• Maine Women’s Agricultural Network
Provides networking opportunities, business planning, workshops and other information to women in agriculture.
http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Summer1999/WAgN/tabid/2034/Default.aspx
• International Farm Transition Network (NFTN)
This network lists programs that foster next generation farmers and ranchers throughout the nation. The site includes other linking programs and useful publications.
https://www.farmtransition.org/
• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Includes extensive publications on specific crops and management systems as well as opportunities for funding for sustainable agriculture programs and news in sustainable agriculture.
Includes a list of funding opportunities: https://attra.ncat.org/calendar/funding.php
• The New England Small Farm Institute
Includes an extensive bookstore with great resources for small farmers at all points in their careers. Also lists events, courses and workshops.
• The New Farm: Farmer-to-Farmer Know-How from the Rodale Institute
Includes a lot of information on specific management practices as well as “farm blogs,” news, and a farm locator.
http://rodaleinstitute.org/farm/newfarm/
• University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Extension offers a wide range of information on agricultural activities, programs and services.
Insurance:
• Maine Health Insurance Market Place
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service that helps people shop for affordable health insurance. More than 70,000 Mainers had health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2019 and 85% received financial assistance to make the plans more affordable. Visit healthcare.gov to compare health coverage options and sign up for health insurance.
• Maine Care
If your income falls under a certain amount and you are pregnant or have children, you may be eligible for state-sponsored health care.
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mainecare.shtml
Mediation:
• Maine Association of Dispute Resolution Professionals (MADRP)
MADRP focuses on alternative dispute resolution. The site includes a listing of members and a searchable database for mediators. Also includes links to other mediation services throughout the state.
http://www.mainemediators.org/
• Maine’s Agricultural Mediation Program
We’re a service of Volunteers of America Northern New England, partnering with individuals and organizations to serve those in need.
https://www.voanne.org/mediation-services
Taxation:
• Maine’s “Current Use” Tax Programs
Maine offers reduced tax rates for farmland, open space and tree growth land that meets the requirements.
https://www.maine.gov/revenue/propertytax/propertytaxbenefits/current_use.htm