Farm Transfer & Retirement Resources
Additional Farming Resources
The following list of organizations and programs includes:
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 the 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.
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.
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://gnf.bigmindcatalyst.com/cgi/bmc2.pl?tset=std1204&page=pubpg2.html&node=1009
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 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.
The Resource Guide includes information ranging from experts on specific commodities to marketing and business management. This guide is a valuable resource for people in all stages and types of farming.
http://www.foodandfarms.com/connect/resource_search.asp
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.
*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 www.mofga.org/apprinfo_04.html and the journeyperson program http://www.mofga.org/appr_jp_desc.html for more experienced farmers.
Maine Women’s Agricultural Network
Provides networking opportunities, business planning, workshops and other information to women in agriculture.
http://www.umaine.edu/umext/wagn/index.htm
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.
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.
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.
*University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Extension offers a wide range of information on agricultural activities, programs and services.
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.
Community Mediation Services (Augusta)
Promoting community peacemaking using trained volunteers to help people resolve everyday disagreements in our schools, homes, communities and workplaces.
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/currentuse.htm