Local Farming Movement in Maine (Portland, Lewiston: credit, college, live)

[RiverBird]

New Guide for Towns Working to Encourage Local Farming
New guide released this week by Maine Farmland Trust and American Farmland Trust

New Guide for Towns Working to Encourage Local Farming > Maine Farmland Trust > Maine Farmland Trust (http://www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/ArticleView/mid/477/articleId/26/New-Guide-for-Towns-Working-to-Encourage-Local-Farming.aspx - broken link)

October 13 event in CAMDEN “Are Farms the Key to Maine’s Future?”
Maine Farmland Trust
John Piotti, Director of the Maine Farmland Trust, will give a talk and lead a discussion on “Are Farms the Key to Maine’s Future?” at the Camden Public Library on Thursday, October 13, at 6:30 pm. The talk will be a lively presentation and discussion about the state of farming and how—if we are smart about it—farming can become the centerpiece of a sustainable future for Maine.

[Submariner]

The Maine Farmland Trust had a display at the Fair 2 weeks ago [of course the Fair is all about sustainability].

Some literature just arrived today in my mail from the Maine Farmland Trust.

I attended a 'sustainability' meeting last night in Orono. In that discussion 'The Maine Farmland Trust' was mentioned, along with how interesting it is to see so many different groups all re-inventing the same wheel and competing with each other to accomplish the same goal.

A lot of people are thinking about how to fix our culture's issues. Some got started long ago, some started only a few decades ago, and some have started recently.

[Westernfrog45]

+1 FB,
I developed a map and book supporting local ag in my area and then an intern from Unity college, supported by Americorp and MOFGA came in and replicated my work, even using some of it without my permission or credit, even though the intern knew what that she was being less than professional. I was/am still pissed about the whole thing.

But in the end, at least the local producers got some free advertising.

[Coaster]

There's something called the Transition Town movement that tries to bring all these various sustainability efforts together. I've heard that Brunswick has an active TT group. Don't know of any others in Maine.

http://www.transitionnetwork.org/

Unfortunately it bills itself as a response to climate change and peak oil, which are hot button topics with negative connotations for some people.

[Maine Writer]

Maine Harvest Festival 2011

I'm involved with this project. This will be its first year. It seems well organized and there's been a lot of enthusiasm.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

Maine Harvest Festival 2011

I'm involved with this project. This will be its first year. It seems well organized and there's been a lot of enthusiasm.

I had hoped to put together a group from one of the markets I attend to have a booth there (the fee and time of year makes it less possible for just me doing my own thing) but it never came together. Hope it is a good event!

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Coaster

There's something called the Transition Town movement that tries to bring all these various sustainability efforts together. I've heard that Brunswick has an active TT group. Don't know of any others in Maine.

Welcome | Transition Network

Unfortunately it bills itself as a response to climate change and peak oil, which are hot button topics with negative connotations for some people.

I attended a 'Transition Town' workshop 2 weeks ago, where I met with activists from a number of other TT groups. They are planning a big training workshop in Waldo County soon.

TT groups are active in:
Belfast,
Brooks,
Brunswick,
Dexter/Dover,
Hancock County,
Hope,
Lewiston,
Liberty/Montville,
Oxford Hills,
Bangor/Brewer,
Portland,
Rockland,
Skowhegan,
and Orono.



The 'Sustainability' group that I met with Tuesday evening [in Orono] is among them.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

Maine Harvest Festival 2011

I'm involved with this project. This will be its first year. It seems well organized and there's been a lot of enthusiasm.

Wow that is great!

I am familiar with 'Harvest Fest' that is doing their 14th celebration this year down in Starks.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by starwalker

I had hoped to put together a group from one of the markets I attend to have a booth there (the fee and time of year makes it less possible for just me doing my own thing) but it never came together. Hope it is a good event!

The coordinator hoped to sell 40 of the 100 available booths for the first show. As of this morning, 90 have sold. There will be Maine brewers and chefs using locally grown foods offering samples. I don't impress easily and I'm thoroughly impressed with all that's been accomplished for the first year of a big show.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I attended a 'Transition Town' workshop 2 weeks ago, where I met with activists from a number of other TT groups. They are planning a big training workshop in Waldo County soon.

Could you post the details for the training workshop when you get them? I might be interested in attending.