The following list of organizations and programs includes:

• Agricultural Information
• Insurance
• Mediation
• Taxation

If you know of additional useful links please let us know!

* indicates a partner organization with Maine FarmLink

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.

www.mainefarmlandtrust.org

• Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA)

CFRA website has information on legislative issues, rural development updates and other helpful links for all farmers.

http://www.cfra.org

• 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.

http://www.eatmainefoods.org

• 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/

• 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. 

http://www.localharvest.org

• 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.

http://www.mac.umaine.edu

• Maine Dept of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources*

Offers a number of programs for farmers. Including the below links:

http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/index.shtml

• Get Real Get Maine

A comprehensive website for both consumers and producers in Maine.

http://www.getrealmaine.com

• 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/content/view/34/75/

• Maine Foods Network

Aims to make it easier for Maine farmers to find local markets for their world-class produce, as well as for Maine businesses to offer the highest quality local foods to their customers.

http://www.mainefoods.net

• 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.

www.timeandtide.org/wagn_-_home

• National 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.

www.farmtransition.org/aboutnetw.html

• 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.

http://www.attra.ncat.org/

Includes a list of funding opportunities: http://attra.ncat.org/funding/

• 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.

http://www.smallfarm.org/

• 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://www.newfarm.org/

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension*

Extension offers a wide range of information on agricultural activities, programs and services.

http://www.umext.maine.edu

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.

http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bfi/MaineCare.htm

• Maine Bureau of Insurance

Keeps track of all registered insurance agents in the state and provides a searchable database of companies. The site also lists other registered professionals, such as surveyors.

http://www.state.me.us/pfr/ins/ins_index.htm

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/

• Community Mediation Services (Augusta)

http://www.communitymediationservices.org

Taxation

• Maine’s “Current Use” Tax Programs

Maine offers reduced tax rates for farmland, open space and tree growth land that meets the requirements.

http://www.maine.gov/revenue/propertytax/propertytaxbenefits/CurrentUseLandPrograms.htm