Chris Cabot, Farmland Protection Project Manager // Portland, Maine
Chris Cabot is part of the Farmland Protection staff at MFT, which means he works with landowners, farmers, and land trusts to protect farmland. Chris is based in MFT’s Portland office and focuses on land protection in York and Cumberland counties. Chris grew up in the suburbs of Boston before escaping to Vermont and Oregon for college, where he studied journalism and conservation biology. (Fun Fact: MFT has two former college mascots on staff: Chris was the UVM Catamount, and Erica Buswell appeared as the Holy Cross Crusader!). But Chris says he did his “real growing up traveling, leading wilderness trips and teaching environmental education.” Today Chris lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and two young sons, and they are working toward being able to grow more of their own food. They spend most of their time outside canoeing, hiking, gardening, birding, cutting and stacking firewood, etc., and Chris also plays in the 35+ baseball league in Portland.
Q: Why do you work for MFT?
A: I came to MFT after working for two local land trusts where I worked on farmland conservation as well as wildlife protection projects. While wetland and woodland conservation remains a passion of mine, I’m excited to be focusing on protecting farms.
Q: Goals/projects you’re psyched about or are important in your role?
A: MFT’s farmland protection efforts along with our Farm Viability and Farmland Access programs are an excellent approach to tackling the complex issue of ensuring the future of Maine’s farms and maintaining the look and feel of Maine that so many of us appreciate.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you look forward to working on?
A: Southern Maine is experiencing very strong development pressure right now, and farms are often the most vulnerable. We can’t possibly conserve every farm, so we have to prioritize carefully while pursuing other ways to support the entire farming community.
