FREEPORT, Maine — Maine’s first female State Director of USDA Rural Development, who comes from three generations of farmers in Aroostook County, and a local farm and food processing company leader were among those at the recent Women in Ag panel discussion, held at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport.
USDA Rural Development Director Virginia Manuel introduced the panel, comprised of all women farmers.
“This panel created a valuable opportunity to bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss the robust future for women farmers in Maine, and the vital programs, such as those offered by USDA Rural Development that supports them in their renewable energy and energy and energy-efficiency projects and value-added producer and food processing activities,” Manuel said.
The panelists, joined by over 70 people, discussed access to capital, marketing, growing competition and distribution of their products as being among the challenges of operating a farm or agricultural business in Maine today.
Serving on the panel was Marada Cook, co-owner of Crown O’ Maine Organic Cooperative and Northern Girl in Van Buren, who has seen her farm products benefit from USDA Rural Development funding. Northern Girl recently received $350,000 to construct a new vegetable processing facility.
“Our food-safe processing facility was built through the support of Rural Business Development Grant funds and the Town of Van Buren,” Cook said. “We hold a long-term lease with the Town of Van Buren. This facility and its location close to our growers allow us to create jobs in Northern Aroostook and buy more Aroostook County crops.”
Cook continued, “Without this program it is unlikely as a start-up that we could have constructed a facility to meet today’s food safety standards.”
There is a growing number of farms in Maine — 8,173 farms, up from 7,196 in 2002 — and 29 percent of Maine’s farmers are women, up from 25 percent in 2007, panelists learned. The panel discussion was hosted by Rep. Chellie Pingree and included USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden in her first trip to Maine.
“We want to make sure the programs work, are flexible, are creative enough and are there for folks who need them,” Harden said. “There is a new awakening for women (in farming).”
To learn more, interested farmers or agribusiness owners should contact Chery Pelletier, Rural Energy for America Program, at 764-4157 or Cheryl.pelletier@me.usda.gov, or Brian Wilson, Value Added Producer Grant program, at 990-9168 or brian.wilson@me.usda.gov.
