Quills End Farm in Penobscot is owned by Phil and Heather Retberg, who purchased the property through the Maine Farmland Trust's FarmLink program. Bridget Besaw photo courtesy of Maine Farmland Trust
Active downtowns, locally available resources, a sense of heritage, and pride of place are some of the components of a thriving community. MaineCF helps to build such communities through its support of historic preservation and sustainable local agriculture. The preservation and restoration of historic buildings can serve as a catalyst to bring business to downtowns. Preserving farmland is key to maintaining Maine’s special landscapes and supporting local food production, both of which drive economic development and build healthier communities.
MaineCF donors have committed $1 million to the Maine Farmland Trust’s Buy/Protect/Sell program. The trust buys farmland, places easements on that land, and sells it to new farmers. The foundation has also provided support for the trust’s FarmLink program, which connects aspiring farmers to existing farmers, thereby “keeping Maine’s farmland in farming.” Other MaineCF grants support agriculture-based activities, from farm-to-school programs to community gardens.
Other Ways MaineCF is Helping to Build Thriving Communities
- Through its donor-initiated Farms, Food, and Philanthropy program, MaineCF is working to make more funds available for local, sustainable agriculture and to contribute to the groundswell of awareness about the role that local food production plays in providing a sense of place, fostering economic opportunity, improving health and well-being, and building community.
- MaineCF is working to enhance the state's quality of place by investing in historic preservation, especially in downtown centers where many historic buildings serve as hubs for economic, cultural, and social activity. The foundation's grant programs, scholarships, and partnerships with other organizations are crucial to these efforts.
To learn more about how MaineCF is building thriving communities and how you can support this work, contact Ellen Pope by e-mail or by phone, toll-free, at 877-700-6800.