Growing The
Future of Farming
Since 1999

Maine Farmland Trust protects farmland, supports farmers, and advances the future of farming. Our goal is to protect Maine farmland and revitalize Maine’s rural landscape by keeping agricultural lands working and helping farmers and communities thrive.

"The best land trust in the Northeast - their programs get farmers on the land."

Katia Holmes

Misty Brook Farm, Albion

2-for-1 Match Opportunity

Now through Giving Tuesday on December 2nd, your donation will be matched 2-for-1 up to $50,000, thanks to generous support from the Ram Island Conservation Fund at the Maine Community Foundation. That means your gift of $25 becomes $75... $50 becomes $150... and $100 becomes $300. Make a donation today to protect farms, support farmers, and grow Maine’s farming future.

Line drawing of a farmer driving a tractor across a field, representing Maine Farmland Trust, with houses and trees visible in the background.

Farmland

Maine farmland is the foundation for thriving farm businesses, communities, and rural economies, and is necessary to ensure that more Mainers can access healthy, local food.

Line drawing of two cows grazing in a field with trees and a farmhouse in the background, inspired by landscapes protected by Maine Farmland Trust.

Farmers

Thriving farm businesses feed Maine's local communities and economy and keep farmland in farming, but farmers can't go it alone.
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A minimalist line drawing of a country road curving through fields with trees and clouds in the background, inspired by the scenic landscapes preserved by Maine Farmland Trust.

Future

Farming is fundamental to the health of our communities, food security, and economy. For farms to thrive, we need a social, economic, and political landscape that values farming.
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Farmland

Maine farmland is the foundation for thriving farm businesses, communities, and rural economies, and is necessary to ensure that more Mainers can access healthy, local food.

Farmers

Thriving farm businesses feed Maine's local communities and economy and keep farmland in farming, but farmers can't go it alone.

Future

Farming is fundamental to our future and warrants the highest levels of public attention and support.

Person preparing mulch

PFAS

MFT is working closely with the state and many other partners to increase testing, research, and support for Maine farmers who may be impacted by PFAS in Maine. We’ll continue to share information and resources as they become available.

Blog Posts

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up

July 15, 2025

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up

Explore Diverse Farming Journeys and Community Support

May 7, 2025

Explore Diverse Farming Journeys and Community Support

Talking Taxes: Topics & Takeaways

April 3, 2025

Talking Taxes: Topics & Takeaways

Kristin Varnum: Celebrating 25 years with MFT

March 7, 2025

Kristin Varnum: Celebrating 25 years with MFT

Investing in a thriving dairy sector for Maine

March 6, 2025

Investing in a thriving dairy sector for Maine

Bringing farmer voices to Washington, D.C.

February 13, 2025

Bringing farmer voices to Washington, D.C.

MFT's 2025 State Policy Priorities

February 10, 2025

MFT's 2025 State Policy Priorities

Looking back at a year in farmland protection: 2024

February 7, 2025

Looking back at a year in farmland protection: 2024

Restoring Wabanaki food and lifeways: a conversation with Niweskok

February 6, 2025

Restoring Wabanaki food and lifeways: a conversation with Niweskok

Empowering Maine Farmers: Advocacy Committee Achievements

January 27, 2025

Empowering Maine Farmers: Advocacy Committee Achievements

The farmers at Balfour Farm with their cheese-making equipment.

Grant Awardees

Balfour Farm

Doug and Heather Donahue of Balfour Farm in Pittsfield are one of our 2023 Implementation Grant awardees. Through MFT's Farming for the Long Haul program, Doug and Heather built a business plan to increase efficiency in cutting and packaging aged cheeses so they can expand the success of their business. Their Implementation Grant supports the purchase of a cheese portioning machine that will help them meet the needs of their growing wholesale customers.

"The planning mentorship and tools we received from MFT through the program honed our management skills and made a significant difference in the operations of the farm. Working on pricing showed us that packaging cheese was one of the places we could streamline our operation, and we investigated ways to mechanize some of the process. This is a step forward for our business that wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of MFT.”