MeInMaine Blog

Tag: farm to table

  • Maine Organic Farmers Gardeners Association Farmer To Farmer Conference

    Maine Organic Farmers Gardeners Association Farmer To Farmer Conference

    The MOFGA Farmer to Farmer conference held over the past weekend in Portland Maine.

    MOFGA, the Maine Organic Farmers Gardeners Association offered 30 education sessions at the Portland Holiday Inn By The Bay.

    Here is the rundown of the 2026 Farmer to Farmer sessions offered.

    maine organic farms conference
    Jim And Howard Debate Best Organic Farming Practices And Network. I Learned A Lot About Why My Farm Apple Orchard Is Meh And How To Revive Organically.

    The Farmer to Farmer conference kicked off with a farm tour of North Spore Mushroom facility.

    Sorry, no photos allowed at the 25,000 square foot facility that provides spawn to dozens of farms around the county. Saw the labs, steamers, all the stages of creating mushroom substrate and learned much about the health benefits.

    After learning about mushrooms we walked over to a meet and greet hospitality social at Allagash Brewing.

    Networking is critical to make organic farming sustainable and viable.

    allagash brewing portland maine
    Social, Hospitality To Kick Off MOFGA Farmer To Farmer Session At Allagash Brewing.

    Meg my life partner invited me to tag along to Maine’s largest city and beef up my organic farming knowledge at this year’s MOFGA Farmer To Farmer Conference.

    She is co owner of Nature’s Circle Farm with her Dad Richard York.

    Her organic farming experience all started in 1996 from a small humble produce veggie stand. Nature’s Circle Farm, based in New Limerick Maine grew to an over  400 acre full time Maine organic farm spread.

    Meg, her Dad and crew raise, store, ship fresh market organic produce. Nature’s Circle Farms also selling over 20 varieties of Maine organic seed potato stock from their Aroostook County fields.

    mofga farmer to farmer conference
    Organic Meals, Locally Sourced Maine Food. Nothing Beats Farm To Table Dining, Networking With Big, Small And In Between Passionate Maine Organic Farmers!

    The MOFGA conference happened during the super bowl and watching the Patriots lose on the big screen did not damper the enthusiasm of organic produces.

    When you own and are totally invested in a small organic family farm in Maine, time spent fretting about who won or lost a sporting event is not the end of the World.

    Ever thought about starting a small Maine farm?

    small organic family farming in maine
    Learning From Other Organic Producers About What Works, What Does Not. Critical To Sustainability On A Small Maine Organic Farm Operation.

         Your family, chores around the Maine organic farm to keep it vibrant and sustainable suddenly more important.

    The conference jam packed with worthwhile education sessions on everything from where to get grant moneys, new markets for your produce, how to deal best with the pesky Colorado potato beetle and more.

    Learning From Long Time Organic Farmers
    Black Garlic, It’s Popular. Ever Tried It? Howard Explains How It Is Produced And Distributed By The High Meadows Farm Truck.

    A half acre organic farm and expansion to an acre may sound small potatoes.

    But rich well nurtured farm soil can produce thousands of pounds of organic food with careful year round prep work. It’s not just creating a big crop and develop markets to sell it. Soil health, protecting the river or waterfront you border is key to eliminate erosion. Appreciation and protection of nature is always a concern of every Maine organic farmer or gardener. Farmer to farmer meetings help keep the dream a reality around Maine.

    Natural Soil And Water Conservation In Maine
    NRCS, The Natural Resource Soil And Water Conservation Service, Farm Services, MOFGA, Others All Work To Support The Maine Organic Producer.

    No Farmer, No Food.

    I have read about food insecurity and that up to a third of the food produced does not get consumed.

    In Maine, when you think about all the school cafeterias, the colleges, prisons, the big consumers of shipped in produce, you have to wonder. Why can’t we funnel Maine organic locally sourced wholesome food to these food stream consumers?

    The need for a processor to peel the squash, to cube it and fresh freeze to be ready to quick and easy prepare it is part of what’s missing.

    Community freezers, coordination with legislators, and a grass roots passion to help stop wasting food and help the small Maine farmer at the same time is key.

    Shout it out. make some noise.

    Let’s clean up the plate and not scrape it into the garbage stream.

    Support locally produce Maine agricultural products.

    Local CSA's And Farmers Markets
    Local Farmers Markets, Community CSA’s Producing Locally Grown Food.

    Where you shop, do you get the impression local matters and the suggestion area farmers are able to peddle their crops at the Piggly Wiggly?

    Do they really or are some of the grocery store posters and propaganda on their websites from long ago and faded?

    Not a grow it and we will give you shelf space to get it placed from the farm to the family table practiced for local shoppers where you stock up on groceries?

    Is there a strong current grocer to local Maine farmer connection underway?

    maine organic farmer to farmer conference
    Maine Is Farming, Lots Of Woods, Rich But Simple All Natural Living.

    There should be and speak up for fresher, cheaper, locally sourced Maine farm food that is not trucked in from many time zones away.

    Pulled locally and not from out west or out of the country.

    Let where you push the wire cart with the squeaky wheel know you noticed and ask them why local growers are replaced with far away from who knows where producers.

    Support local Maine farmers, organic and conventional or everyone misses out from the farm to table nutritious habit at family meal time.

    Thought of purchasing a small Maine farm?

    Here’s one farm property that was just listed in Northern Maine with 36.5 manageable acres.

     

    Horse around, have critters and crops. Could you do it? Serving up what you grow and bartering with other local producers for what you don’t. It’s a lot of work and you have to be healthy. Starting out it helps to have savings, a nest egg.

    Or someone holds down a real job to tame and flatten the peaks and valleys when operating a small Maine family farm.

    Maine real estate is my real job but growing up on a farm and owning one is a passion too. Thank you for sticking around, reading until the very end. I appreciate you out in the blogging audience and here for suggestions on blog posts you want to see all about Maine.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573   |   info@mooersrealty.com   |   

    MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

  • How To Start A Small Farm In Maine, Why People Homestead?

    How To Start A Small Farm In Maine, Why People Homestead?

    How to start a small farm in Maine, why people homestead?

    Space, less or no regulations, no home owner’s associations, low crime. Is it time to trade the chaos of city life for simple living, no traffic, and the natural beauty of rural Maine? More and more people are moving to Maine for peace and quiet, affordability, and a wholesome way of life.

    working farm in maine
    Getting Out Of A Maine Real Estate Office, Not Pinned To A Wall By A Desk. Me In Maine Blog Author Andrew Mooers Does!
    welcome to maine
    Maine, The Way Life Should Be. One Big State, Lots Of Special Hidden Areas To Discover.

    So the idea to start a small farm in Maine, to try their hand at homesteading.

    Running a farmstead like maybe some family member did years ago in their family.

    I talk to many who remember as kids coming to Maine on summer vacations.

    Helping their grandparents with chores on a Maine farm. And these folks think they want their grandchildren exposed to the same self reliance and feeling empowered working the Maine farm land.

    With the fourth lowest crime rate in the United States, clean air, and a strong sense of community, it’s no wonder that Maine is drawing families, retirees, and those looking to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

    What if you could wake up each day on your own piece of land, surrounded by rolling fields, towering pines, and the sound of birds instead of sirens? Low-priced farm properties in Maine offer just that. Whether you’re looking for a small homestead, a fixer-upper farm, or acres of land to build your dream home, rural Maine real estate is still surprisingly affordable.

    Small scale farming in Maine isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about building a way of life.

    Families are rediscovering the benefits of multi-generational living, much like the classic Waltons-style households where gram and gramp, kids, and grand kids all share the same homestead. It’s not just cost-effective; it creates a support system that modern life often lacks. Imagine having loved ones just steps away, sharing chores, meals, and memories in a way that strengthens family bonds.

    Here’s a video to watch for 40 acre farm property in Maine with two houses as an example of a current Maine real estate listing.

    Maine’s small towns feel like a big extended family.

    Neighbors wave as you drive by, people help each other, volunteer, and come together during hard times. Every person, with their own quirks, skills, and stories, contributes to the fabric of the community. Whether it’s a local farm stand, a town potluck, or a group gathering to help bring in the hay, there’s a strong sense of belonging here that’s hard to find elsewhere. How to start a small micro farm in Maine.

    For those seeking a healthier, more active lifestyle, a Maine farm provides daily exercise, fresh air, and farm-to-table quality food.

    Maine offers four distinct seasons, each bringing its own charm. The crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage, the snowy landscapes of winter, the lush greenery of spring, and the long sunny days of summer all make farming in Maine a rewarding experience. Your small farm in Maine.

    building your own homestead
    Country Home, Your Outbuildings On The Maine Farmstead. Could You Build Your Own Slowly?

    If you’ve ever dreamed of living off the land, raising animals, growing your own food, or simply having space to breathe, now is the time to explore Maine’s affordable rural real estate.

    Whether you want to homestead, create a retreat, or start a small-scale farm business, there’s never been a better time to invest in a piece of unspoiled Maine countryside. Buy an old farm tractor, yesteryear equipment and work the land, til the soil.

    There is lots of Maine land to buy for little per acre cost. See the buildings, the wide open space in a Maine town with less than 30 people in it? Never going to be Walmart in Drew Plantation, Maine.

    farm land in maine
    Maine Homestead, Looking For A Relocation To Vacationland?

    It’s smart to get a mix of land like the video above that is 40 acres total but 10 acres cleared pasture farm land and the rest mixed woods. The clearing wooded land and removing stumps, rocks is a long expensive back breaking process. Start with cleared open land or bush hog the pasture farm field starting to grow up to golden rod and mustard. Start small, think big, think independent and farm to table.

    maine real estate
    Quick Facts On One Maine Farm Property For Sale!

    Why keep putting off the dream of owning or building a home on Maine farm land?

    Farm properties in Maine are still within reach, but as more people discover the benefits of country living, demand is growing. Find your perfect farm and start building the life you’ve always wanted—wholesome, peaceful, and connected to nature. For many, the news has them nervous, the high tailing it to small rural Maine and getting below radar looks pretty attractive.

    The farm property in Maine you buy does not have to be like the one in Green Acres.

    farm properties in maine
    Homesteads, Farm Properties In Maine.

    Funny show but we don’t climb telephone poles to make landline calls anymore in Maine.

    No mortgage, no high cost of living and more wildlife than people in vast under populated areas of Vacationland. It’s no laughing matter and folks are getting serious about making a change in where they live. Would you like help finding the best affordable farms in Maine? Let’s talk about Maine real estate, my real job when not blogging about the Pine Tree state.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

    207.532.6573  |  info@mooersrealty.com  |  MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA