Happy Spring!
The recently released Ag Census highlights two themes we wanted to focus on in this newsletter. First, Maine’s agricultural workforce is continuing to age: the number of producers aged 65 and older increased by 18%, while the number of producers under age 44 increased by less than 2%. Second, women have historically and currently played a significant role in many aspects of Maine’s food system, with the proportion of female farmers higher in Maine (43%) than nationally (36%). For more information on the Ag Census, Maine Farmland Trust produced an excellent overview of the changes in the Census data from 2017 to 2022.
In light of Maine’s aging workforce and input from our community, MFC has been building collaborations to address the long standing farm labor shortfall through convening stakeholders and building our collaborative Farm Skills Training Program. As we run this program, we also continue to build our collective understanding of the needs of farmers and farm employees across the state. To this end, MFC and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension hosted a session on Farm Labor at the Ag Trades Show in January. This is the third year we have brought together farmers, farm workers, and other stakeholders to talk about solutions for this pressing challenge. A representative from Maine’s Department of Ag, Conservation and Forestry shared updates about state plans to look into development of an ag workforce program driven by legislation passed last session. We look forward to continuing to build food production skills and support for those producing food for our communities.
To highlight the extensive role of women across Maine’s food system, we asked our Steering Committee member, Christine Burns Rudalevige, to help us compile stories about a few of the incredible women that have shaped the production of local food. She put together a great reading list that is included at the end of this update!
We shared in our last newsletter that our hope for 2024 is to continue to be inspired by, and learn from, our neighbors who are doing incredible work across our network. We are excited to highlight below the incredible work of Harpswell Aging at Home and share how they meet the needs of their community for food, home repairs, and connection.
We hope you have all recovered after the recent storm and are looking forward to the start of warmer weather.
Women in Maine’s Food System - Reading List
Eating for Generations to Come
Ann Pollard Ranco, a member of the Penobscot Nation, is an artist, photographer, videographer, writer, and cultural consultant who also works in Indigenous food systems recovery. In this piece from edible MAINE, she outlines traditional lessons in collecting wild edibles.
Maine Cheesemakers Making Waves Worldwide
Dozens of cheesemakers tapping local supplies of cow, goat, sheep and even water buffalo milk regularly contribute to the state's food system. Many of them are women and many are receiving international recognition for their craft in the magazine dedicated to this topic: culture: the word on Cheese.
Sarah Spring of Spring Day Creamery in Durham; Amy Rowbottom of Crooked Face Creamery in Skowhegan; Allison Lakin of Lakin's Gorges Cheese in Waldoboro; Sarah Wiederkehr of Winter Hill Farm in Freeport
Raymond, Maine-based writer Sharon Kitchens, in her story about school nutrition programs for the StoryMaps blogging platform, introduces several southern Maine women who serve up breakfast and lunch to local children.
Yarmouth-based farmer Steph McDonough has navigated many ups and downs in her plans to teach kids the wonders of growing their own food through in-school programming and summertime farm camp. Her program caught the attention of PBS America Outdoors host Baratunde Thurston. Watch a recap of the Farm to Table Kids 2023 season.
Jennifer Lund is the Maine State Apiarist and Bee Inspector. Check out this edible Maine story to learn more about her day-to-day duties for keeping the state's honeybees healthy and working for our food system.
Chef Cara Stadler has long been a fierce proponent of local foods and sustainable pay and working conditions for restaurant industry staff. This Down East Magazine article chronicles the return of her fine dining restaurant once post-COVID conditions were just right.
Spotlight on Lady Oyster Growers
The Lady Shuckers, a mobile raw bar operation, bring Maine-grown oysters farmed mainly by women, anywhere they need to be eaten. Enjoy this interview with founders Libby Davis and Jacqueline Clarke in Maine Vibes Magazine.
Amber Lambke of Maine Grains in Skowhegan is the woman behind the burgeoning effort to make heritage grains grown here commonplace in local kitchens across the state and throughout the whole of New England. Learn about Amber's work in the Women Taking the Lead podcast.
Women have been working in Maine aquaculture for a long time. Read stories of four women leading the evolution of Maine aquaculture.
Highlights a breadth of women involved in Maine’s food system from the farmers at Liberation Farms to the co-founder of Farm Drop.
Women’s Role in International Agriculture
A lesson plan for grades 9-12 highlighting women’s role in agriculture globally. Created by National Agriculture in the Classroom with extensive resources.