Know Your Organic Producers

MCS logo

MOFGA has been certifying organic farmers since 1972 and is one of the country’s oldest certification programs. MOFGA Certification Services LLC (MCS) was formed by MOFGA in 2002 to provide USDA-accredited organic certification services to Maine farmers and food processors. Our service area currently consists of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. MCS certifies crops, wild crops, sea vegetables, livestock, livestock products, and processed products to the USDA National Organic Program standard.

Get to know some of our certified organic producers in the features below! These features were originally published in The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, and may reference farms that are not currently certified by MOFGA. For our regularly updated listing of organic producers, and to find organic products near you, use our find organic search tool. You may also check the certification status at the Organic Integrity Database site

Thirty Acre Farm ferments lined up in a row with paper cups of samples in front of the jars.

Fermentation and Friendship at Thirty Acre Farm

By Sonja Heyck-Merlin Like the owners of many small businesses, Simon Frost and Daniel Price of Thirty Acre Farm have found that division of labor works best. Price grows the vegetables and Frost adds value by transforming the produce into lacto-ferments in their processing facility in Bremen, Maine. The product

Read More »
A farmworker bunches curly green kale in a field.

Beech Hill Farm at College of the Atlantic

Where students and community build relationships through food By Sonja Heyck-Merlin Mount Desert Island, Maine: What comes to mind? Maybe it’s catching the sunrise from atop Cadillac Mountain or sea kayaking in a lobster-buoyed bay? Or maybe whale watching, or biking Acadia’s famous carriage trails? Or maybe you roll your

Read More »
Six farmers stand smiling in a field; one holds a small child

Perspective Shift Needed for Small Farm Viability in Maine

South Paw Farm owner says despite grant funding farms are struggling By Dani Walczak Meg Mitchell, co-owner of South Paw Farm in Freedom, Maine, is tired of perseverance stories. The narrative of the hard-working white farmer personally overcoming obstacles to feed their community has started to fall flat for the

Read More »
a cardboard box with a colorful mix of five different kinds of specialty mushrooms

On-Farm Fungus Cultivation

Maine farms develop indoor and outdoor set-ups for market-scale mushroom production By Holli Cederholm Courtney Williams of Marr Pond Farm in Sangerville, Maine, says that outdoor mushroom production is a way to manage marginal lands profitably. She and her partner, Ryan Clarke, branched into mushrooms in 2016 in order to

Read More »
Two farmers stand in front of a large red tractor

From Artist to Craftsperson

How The Buckle Farm Streamlined Their Business for Profitability and Improved Their Wellbeing By Jennifer Wilhelm Husband and wife team Jim Buckle and Hannah Hamilton of The Buckle Farm worked “epically long days” to get their business up and running. Five years after starting their farm in Unity, Maine, they

Read More »
3 Level farmers

Creating a Multi-Family Farm at 3 Level Farm

By Tim King  When Kim Patnode and Christopher Hahn came separately to 3 Level Farm in South China 11 years ago, they were acquainted with each other but had no idea what the future would bring. Hahn had just purchased the 143-acre farm, formerly known as French Farm, and imagined

Read More »
Scroll to Top

September 8, 2022

Rainbow Farm

Meet Rainbow Farm in Orland, Maine. Owned and operated by Noah and Lorelei Cimeno, Rainbow Farm moved to Orland in the winter of 2021-22. The new location is very well suited for growing vegetables because of the ideal soil type there. The Cimenos are excited to offer a variety of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables they grow to their community. Their produce can be found at the Blue Hill, Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor farmers’ markets, and also on FarmDrop at the Blue Hill, MDI and Deer Isle market hubs. When asked why MOFGA organic certification is important to them, they responded: “Farming in a manner that is beneficial to the environment is part of the mission at Rainbow Farm, and is why crops grown there are always grown using organic methods.” They added that certification “ensures that they receive a fair price for the extra effort they put into growing their crops.” They also are glad that their claims of how they grow their produce are backed by a reputable organization like MOFGA.

Follow Rainbow Farm on Facebook

Photo courtesy of Rainbow Farm

August 2, 2022

Kennebec Valley Farm

Meet Kennebec Valley Farm in Solon. They have a full market garden including mushrooms and a young fruit orchard. The farm’s produce is available at their on-farm store. Jennifer and Ryan share a vision for food sustainability, community, education and healthy living. Here at Kennebec Valley Farm, we are thrilled to be reviving a small piece of Maine’s rich history in farming using Organic regenerative practices. Our journey does not stop at just growing vegetables. Our plans include research in Geothermal, Mycology, and sustainable agricultural practices.” They added, “Our MOFGA certification is important because we want our customers and community to know that we are committed to growing the best produce possible.”

Follow Kennebec Valley Farm on Instagram and Facebook! And visit their website here. 

Photo courtesy of Kennebec Valley Farm

June 10, 2022

Sasanoa Brewing

Meet Sasanoa Brewing located at Tarbox Farm on Westport Island. Sasanoa’s beer can be found at shops and co-ops along Maine’s coast, from Portland to Blue Hill, and is available, along with their produce, at the Bath Farmers’ Market every Saturday. Their beer is on tap at select restaurants, including the Newcastle Publick House, Duckfat, King Eider’s Pub and Flux, and can also be sampled at the farm’s family-friendly tasting room overlooking the Sasanoa River, which is open Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer. They serve charcuterie boards and guests are also welcome to bring their own picnics. Trails on the farm link up to several preserves run by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust. Beal Island, which is part of the Maine Island Trail system, is just across the river from the farm and offers overnight camping. 

When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “Organic production is important to us for a number of reasons. We have run a diverse organic produce farm for the past 20 years and take land stewardship very seriously. We take pride in the thought and care that goes into managing our farm organically and want to support other farmers that share our values which ultimately benefits our community both near and far. When we added a brewery to our farm we knew that we wanted to produce an organic product and support other organic farmers in our state and beyond. The acreage of organic malting barley is quite small which makes sourcing a challenge. While organic produce is quite popular, a lot of people overlook organic beer. At last count there are only about 20 fully certified organic breweries in the country. By committing ourselves to only buying organic malt and brewing organic beer we hope to raise awareness and ultimately grow the demand and acreage of organic grain production for brewers malt in our state and elsewhere. Beyond buying certified organic grain we are also very aware of where our grain is sourced. Most of our grain is sourced from Maine, then New England, and then a small percentage from Europe. All of our hops are sourced from Maine at Aroostook Hops and our own farm. As the Maine Beer Company eloquently says ‘Do what’s right,’ we believe supporting other organic farms in Maine and raising awareness to organic farming is what’s right for us.” 

Follow Sasanoa Brewing on Instagram and Facebook! And follow Tarbox Farm on Instagram and Facebook

Photo courtesy of Sasanoa Brewing

June 2, 2022

Mt. Gile’s Famous

Meet Mt. Gile’s Famous in Auburn. They produce open-pollinated heirloom and exotic tomato seedlings for sale directly at the farm, which can be pre-ordered online. Producer Christy Anderson says, “While these tomatoes can require a bit more nurturing than hybrids, saving a place in your garden for at least one will not only help to preserve genetic diversity, but also reward your efforts through their rich histories, amazing flavors, and distinctive traits.” When asked why organic production is important, Anderson responded: “So much of our current farming model appears to be harmful and unsustainable. Healthy soil should be teeming with beneficial organisms, inviting life, not forcing it away. Seeds, soil, and sustainability are traditionally what organic crop production is all about, and they form the cornerstones of our growing practices. It’s not the easiest path, but it is the right one for Mt. Gile’s Famous.” She added, “I strongly believe in the importance of preserving genetic diversity and seed sovereignty. This is what led Mt. Gile’s Famous to join the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI). While you might not be familiar with the incredible work that they do, we invite you to grow and share OSSI pledged varieties. Outstanding in their own right, several also afford opportunities to those with limited access or garden space to experience the delight of growing heirloom-quality tomatoes in containers.”

Visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook!

Photo courtesy of Christy Anderson

April 28, 2022

Knock Knock Farm

Meet Knock Knock Farm in Belgrade. They produce organic elderberries and elderberry bushes (bare root and potted), which are available for pick up directly at the farm. They are open most days by appointment from June to November. When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “At Knock Knock Farm we see organic production as a safeguard for both the health of our customers and the health of our farmland. Our goal is to provide our customers with locally grown berries grown with love and care, and not harmful chemicals!” They added, “We also take the role our farm has in providing critical habitat very seriously. During the summer our elderberry orchard is home to dozens of bird and amphibian species and hundreds of non-pest insect species. They are as important to us as our crop, and we balance our needs as a farm with their needs for a safe and diverse habitat. We actively work toward supporting our crop harvest and the health of our plants in ways that will do as little harm as possible to the living systems around them. Organic production is at the heart of that process!”

Follow them on Facebook. 

 Photo courtesy of Knock Knock Farm

April 14, 2022

Snakeroot Organic Farm

Meet Snakeroot Organic Farm in Pittsfield. Tom Roberts and Lois Labbe cultivate 5 acres of mixed vegetables, fruits, perennials and herbs for sale through local farmers’ markets, including the Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market, Orono Farmers’ Market and Pittsfield Farmers’ Market. Their produce is also available through Central Maine FarmDrop and the farm’s online store, as well as directly from the farm in Pittsfield. When asked why organic production is important, Roberts responded: “As I tell my customers when they ask questions like that, ‘We eat this stuff ourselves, so we don’t want to poison it!’ And whenever the discussion is open to going deeper, I mention that it is important to build up the soil’s organic matter and biome so that the plants we grow are healthier and the people who eat from those plants will be healthier, too. And then there’s the aspects of reducing carbon footprint through carbon capture, developing a complex and healthy eco-community around our farm, supporting local labor instead of labor-killing petrochemicals, and because I am helping to build an alternative to the exploitative and destructive mainstream U.S. food system. Discussions sometimes go on from there, depending upon the person’s level of interest.”

Follow them on Facebook. 

Catie Joyce-Bulay photo

March 30, 2022

Triple Chick Farm

Meet Triple Chick Farm in Town Hill. Anna and Adam Perkins cultivate certified organic vegetables for their on-site farm stand on Rt. 102 in Town Hill as well as several restaurants. When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “While we have not had experiences growing conventional produce, we feel organic production lends to what we value in a farm system and culture. In our 2 1/2 acres of row crop space, surrounding fields, woods, a brook, a creek, and family home, we appreciate the mostly human-scale work that keeps us healthy, active, and physically close to the land, the work we do, and the people we feed.” Anna came to farming in 2011 through MOFGA’s Apprenticeship Program. She said, “This program is especially valuable to me in retrospect, as I am not sure how I would have found this work otherwise. MOFGA has continued to provide educational programs (Farmer to Farmer and workshops) and resources through our time farming that have kept us engaged in our learning and connecting to other farmers.” They added, “We found this farm management situation through a retired MOFGA staff member. Also, we look forward to utilizing the programming available to farms — especially if we can persist into the Maine Farm Resilience Program. The skills and resources farmers have shared that they have gained through MFRP seem bolstering and encouraging for what we hope to learn as we progress and grow.” 

Follow them on Instagram @triplechickfarm.

Photo courtesy of Triple Chick Farm

February 24, 2022

Living Nutz

Meet Living Nutz. They offer certified organic sprouted and raw nuts and seeds to provide their customers with healthy and delicious options that are full of flavor and nutritional integrity. Their products can be found in health food stores across Maine, as well as on their website. When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “Here at Living Nutz, our number one goal is to provide healthy, delicious, and nutritious products for our customers. Part of this process involves ensuring the nuts and other ingredients we use are of the highest quality, without harmful pesticides or other farming methods. In addition, none of our products are pasteurized, so all of their amazing nutrients remain intact and ready for our customers to enjoy.”

Follow them on Instagram @livingnutz and on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Living Nutz

February 24, 2022

Atlantic Sea Farms

Meet Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford. Atlantic Sea Farms is a women-run company that partners with local fishing communities to cultivate sustainable kelp. You can find their kelp products, including fermented seaweed salad and kelp smoothie cubes, at Hannaford, Whole Foods and local co-ops in Maine. When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “Our existing customers are deeply concerned with where their food is produced and how it is raised. MOFGA is well known for its role in the organic farming movement and the USDA Organic seal is recognized across the industry. The organic stamp by MOFGA signals to customers that they can trust their food and its sourcing — and feel good about feeding it to their families.”

Follow them on Instagram @atlanticseafarms and on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Atlantic Sea Farms

February 9, 2022

Orange Circle Farm

Meet Jeff Benton of Orange Circle Farm in Berwick. Orange Circle Farm is a solar-powered, no-till farm that produces MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program serving the communities of Berwick, Durham, Stratham and Kittery. CSA shares are available on the farm’s website. “We value providing our CSA members with a weekly supply of fresh ingredients to use in their home-cooked meals,” said Benton. When asked why organic production is important, he responded: “We believe that organic growing practices are the best way to ensure that these soils can support our community now and well into the future.” The farm property has a conservation easement associated with it so it has strong potential to be actively farmed for generations to come.

Follow them on Instagram @orangecirclefarm and visit the the farm’s website.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Benton

January 25, 2022

Winterberry Farm

Meet Mary Perry of Winterberry Farm in Belgrade. Winterberry Farm is a 40-acre certified- organic farm utilizing horses and oxen for working their gardens, mowing their fields and twitching their logs. Perry has owned and operated Winterberry Farm for 22 years while homeschooling and raising her three children: Kenya, 26, Gil, 21, and Sage, 16. The farm produces cut flowers, vegetables, Christmas trees, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and fruit trees on 5 acres, and grows produce in four high tunnels year round. Their products are available through a four-season CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program as well as through their farm stand, which is open daily year round, and their website. Perry said, “No way could I have even imagined doing this without MOFGA. I learned to buy, plant and grow seeds, I learned how to harvest, sell and eat our vegetables, I learned how to twitch logs and heat our home and germination rooms with wood from MOFGA and meeting the coolest folks ever. I learned to contra dance and raise my kids with Friday night contras. My kids are MOFGA kids through and through — all have volunteered, all have participated in the fair. And all have sold at the YEZ [Youth Enterprise Zone] Tent. Sage is selling her Hawaiian shaved ice and homemade juices she makes from the farm’s honey and fruit. Gil has demonstrated with his team of oxen at the fair, and Kenya made packages of herbs and dried items from her solar dehydrator to sell at the fair. Now I go to the fair in my ‘52 Ford and sell our dried flowers and crowns. MOFGA has given us the tools we needed to survive on this farm, and the friends to share it all with and to lean on when the growing was rough.” 

Follow them on Instagram @winterberryfarm and visit their website.

Sage and Mary Perry of Winterberry Farm. Photo courtesy of Winterberry Farm

January 12, 2022

Maine Cap N’ Stem

Meet Maine Cap N’ Stem Mushroom Co. in Gardiner. As a mycological company at the beginning of the supply chain, their gourmet mushroom cultures, spawn and substrate products travel worldwide to help hundreds of farms to grow fresh mushrooms for their communities. So whether it’s Boston, San Francisco, Australia, Italy, Brazil or anywhere in between, if fresh mushrooms are being sold, there is a good chance the products that are being used to cultivate gourmet fungal varieties originated with Maine Cap N’ Stem. You can shop online at capnstem.com. When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “Being certified organic opens up the doors to global conversations with food producers dedicated to transparency and interested in the health of their customer base for generations to come. Becoming certified organic is a winning strategy in our minds and a growing number of farms in the world at large aim to be certified within their first year of production which is encouraging from such a specialized cash crops perspective.” They added, “Quite a few years back we offered a workshop through MOFGA which was very helpful at the time. Folks came out to our facility and we walked them through the cultivation process with our products and today three of those farms are still successfully growing mushrooms using our products and systems!”

Follow them on Instagram @mainecapnstemco and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy of Maine Cap N’ Stem

December 9, 2021

Moodytown Gardens

Meet Johanna Burdet and Jarret Haiss of Moodytown Gardens in Palmyra. Moodytown Gardens produces MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, flowers and hay, and also raises grass-fed beef and pastured pork. Their products are seasonally available at the Skowhegan Farmers’ Market, the Belgrade Lakes Market and at their farm stand. They also sell their farm products to Uncle Dean’s in Waterville, The Maine Beer Shed in Kingfield, and The Maine Meal, Ginny’s Natural Corner and The Miller’s Table in Skowhegan. Burdet said that they work to make their food available to the people in their community. “We participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare program, accept WIC, offer Maine Harvest Bucks for our CSA, and accept EBT/SNAP. We also work with the Good Shepherd Food Bank each year and provide our local food pantries with fresh local produce during the summer and fall. We try to make our food accessible to all.” When asked why organic production is important to the farm, Burdet said, “Growing organically is really the only way we know how to farm. Both of our backgrounds in farming have been exclusively organic and we both were raised on small farms that also grew this way. It is important to us that we are bettering the land that we are producing on. We also want to be growing food that we are proud of and feel good eating ourselves.” She says of MOFGA: “The MOFGA apprenticeship program has brought several really amazing people to our farm. We have enjoyed being a part of their journey to realize if they want to farm and hope that we are helping to form the next generation of Maine farmers. We were also journeypeople and found that it connected us to the larger Maine organic farmer community which has been very helpful over the years. We have also just begun the Maine Farm Resilience Program and are excited to get help in making long term goals for our farm.”

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @moodytowngardens and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy of Moodytown Gardens

November 3, 2021

Birch Bog Farm

Meet Tracyn and Steve of Birch Bog Farm in Albany Township. Birch Bog Farm produces MOFGA-certified organic cranberries. The fruit is seasonally available at their farm, through the farm’s website, at the Greenwood and Bethel farmers’ markets, and at select retailers throughout Maine and New Hampshire. When asked why local, organic production is important to the farm, Tracyn replied, “I’ve always been drawn to organic practices, and produce, and have always made big efforts to purchase all I can afford that is organic. As I have learned more and more about commercial and conventional practices (especially as a new farm owner), I have also learned how, as humans, we cannot afford not to purchase and consume (certified) organic foods.” Tracyn says of MOFGA, “As a beginner farmer, MOFGA has been a wonderful resource for figuring out how to continue and improve upon our certification, the requirements, opportunities, etc. I am interested in the Journeyperson program, Farmer to Farmer, and have done several of the Zoom workshops. I hope now that we almost have a season behind us, I will be more poised to use the breadth of information available. I love the connections I’ve made just through searching the guide of producers.” She adds, “If someone were to ask me a year ago if I wanted to be (or saw myself) as an organic cranberry farmer (or any kind of farmer), to answer honestly I’d have to say ‘no.’ However, one thing I’ve learned over the last 6 months since we’ve ‘bought the farm’ is that the community of farmers in Maine (especially organic farmers) is so collaborative and we have run into very little ‘competitive’ folks (if any). I have reached out to many many people and can’t think of any who have not replied or offered help. It’s been so wonderful thus far. I would also say, as a 52-year-old woman, that one can become a farmer anytime, there just has to be passion, the skills will come over time. I have loved so much the learning and community and discovery of other small, like-minded farms and folks.” Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @birchbogfarm and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo by Kelsey Kobik

October 14, 2021

Mountain Farm

Meet Melissa Shea of Mountain Farm in New Vineyard. Mountain Farm produces a wide variety of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, fruits, culinary and medicinal herbs, flowers and hops. This year fall fruit crops will be available through the farm’s Facebook page and Instagram pages. When asked why local, organic production is important to the farm Shea replied, “Food creates a personal connection for the community and being the resource that people turn to is a satisfying endeavor to me.” Shea was also recently licensed by the State of Maine to prepare Invasive Plant Control Practice Plans. The plan includes identification of invasive species as well as a multi-year approach to managing the infestation. 

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @mountainfarmmaine and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy Mountain Farm

September 17, 2021

 

Tiny Acres Farm


Meet David Andrews and Erin Donahue of Tiny Acres Farm. Tiny Acres Farms produces MOFGA-certified vegetables off-the-grid in Central Maine, and they sell their produce and eggs at the Saturday Portland Farmers’ Market, Sunday Bangor Farmers’ Market, and The Little Cheese Shop at Balfour Farm in Pittsfield on Thursday through Sunday. When asked why they grow organically, they responded,Before our first crop was ever sown, we knew organic farming and gardening practices were important to us. Food transparency is a big reason why we originally got involved in farming. Investing in fair and certified organic practices from the start just made sense. Being an organic grower, to us, means providing the highest quality food to our community while maintaining proper land stewardship and a small ecological footprint.” They added, “MOFGA has provided us with several invaluable resources! We are fortunate to be participating in the 2021-2023 MOFGA Journeyperson Program; this program comes with the valuable opportunity of mentorship. Hanne Tierney of Cornerstone Farm has been an absolute joy to work with over the past year and has shared her wealth of farming and business knowledge. We are also thankful for past and present journeypersons and the inspiration, know-how, and (more than a few) chuckles they provide on the JP listserv. We are grateful to be a part of the incredible farming community here in Maine and are eagerly looking forward to our next season!”

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @tinyacresfarmmaineand look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy Hanne Tierney

September 9, 2021

Seven Moon Farm

Meet Rachel Chapman of Seven Moon Farm in Montville. This woman-run farm offers MOFGA-certified organic mixed vegetables through Daybreak Growers Alliance, a multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, as well as at small groceries and cafes, including the Belfast Co-op, Wild Grace Farm Store and Unity Kitchen. Seven Moon Farm will also offer dried flowers and herbs at the Belfast Art Market this fall. When asked why she grows organically, Chapman responded, “I am a first generation farmer and, to be honest, I never considered farming non-organically. Environmental health and regeneration were important to me before I started farming, so those principles have carried over to my agricultural practice. I believe that as farmers, we have a responsibility to both the land, and our communities, to keep toxic chemicals out of our production. We have a responsibility to do our best to care for the land, and the ecosystem within which it resides. It’s part of our end of the bargain, as people who profit off of the land in this way.” She added, “I am part of the 2021 Journeyperson cohort, and I was an apprentice from 2015-2016, and both of those programs have really helped me build the skills, in the field and at my desk, that I needed to get to where I am today.” 

Follow them on Instagram @seven.moon.farm and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Chapman

August 21, 2021

Ironwood Farm

Meet Justin, Harlan and Nell of Ironwood Farm in Albion. This horse-powered farm offers MOFGA-certified organic mixed vegetables at co-ops and small grocery stores across the state — from Blue Hill to Bangor, Norway to Portland, and all the way down to Kittery. Nell says, “We’re committed to farming organically for the health of our family, our community, and the land we steward. For the marsh hawks, and the monarchs. For cedar waxwings, and the brook trout. For our kids, and their kids. When we purchased our farm property it was in rough shape, and it’s our life’s work to leave this place better than we found it — striking a balance between making a living farming, taking gold-standard care of our land and producing beautiful and nutritious food. It’s the ultimate challenge, one that motivates us and keeps up lacing up our boots every morning.”

Follow them on Instagram @ironwoodorganic.

Photo courtesy of Ironwood Farm.

July 28, 2021

Blue Ox Blueberries

Meet Laura Flannery of Blue Ox Blueberries in Hancock. The farm offers MOFGA-certified organic wild blueberries. Laura says, “Having our blueberries certified organic is extremely important to us. There is a huge misconception that all wild blueberries are organic.” She says that they often educate about conventional commercial wild blueberry farming and the importance of buying certified organic. You can find Blue Ox Blueberries at their farmstand in Hancock and via home delivery on Mount Desert Island. They also sell wholesale and to a few institutions. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram

Follow them on Instagram @blueoxblues.

Photo courtesy of Blue Ox Blueberries.

July 14, 2021

Meet the Lassen family of Intervale Farm in Cherryfield, Maine. Intervale Farm produces MOFGA-certified organic wild blueberries. They sell both fresh and frozen berries as well as a fruit spread at their farmstand in Cherryfield, at the Milbridge Shop N’ Save and the Winter Harbor and Southwest Harbor farmers’ markets. When asked why they grow organically they responded, “Growing without pesticides makes sense to us because we live, work, and have been raising our family next to the field. We are lucky to have loyal customers that stick with us year after year. Climate change is the largest challenge ahead.” In addition to blueberries Jenny Lassen, with the support of MOFGA’s Journeyperson Program and her mentor Karen Volckhausen, added a small cut flower business to the farm.

For more information, check their website.

Photo courtesy of Intervale Farm

July 1, 2021

Meet Nautical Farms in Machias, Maine! Nautical Farms produces MOFGA-certified sea vegetables for the kitchen, as well as home and body products, in a small cove off of Roque Island. When asked why they grow organically, seaweed farmers Morgan-Lea Fogg and Jake Patryn responded, “We started Nautical Farms because we wanted to contribute to a clean, sustainable economy and keep Maine’s working waterfront alive and thriving. Making sure our production practices are organic is an important part of furthering our mission.” They added that, “Working with the MOGFA team to ensure our practices and processes are organic and safe was easy! We’ve appreciated the guidance while going through the process.” You can find their handcrafted food and bath products online and at several small gift shops throughout Maine and across the country.

For more information, check their website.

Photo courtesy of Nautical Farms.

You can also find the farm on Instagram and Facebook @nauticalfarms.

June 3, 2021

Meet the folks from Carding Brook Farm in Brooklin, Maine! Officially started in 1990, the land hosts an old saltwater farm that has been in the family for decades. They produce MOFGA-certified organic vegetables during the growing season and, in winter, they build timber frames with logs from their woodlot. Over the years they have fine-tuned their marketing scheme to include a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, an on-site farmstand, a local farmers’ market and wholesale to a few restaurants and specialty food outlets. When asked why they grow organically, Jen said, “There was no question we would farm organically. We both had backgrounds in environmentalism and had seen the damage caused by … using poisons and poor practices.” With their sons, Nolan and Walker, Jon and Jen are working on a collaboration with Threadbare Theatre to trial an outdoor theater season this summer! “The best thing about farming is that every year is different,” said Jen. 

Photo by Ann Cutting – Left to Right:  Jon, Jennifer, Walker and Nolan

You can also find the farm on Instagram @cardingbrookfarm.

March 24, 2021

Meet Emily Springer of Meeting House Herb Farm in Scarborough, Maine. Meeting House Herb Farm is a MOFGA certified organic and biodynamic herb farm and growers’ collaborative. Emily said, “Our mission is to create a collective online marketplace to connect local herbalists with locally grown herbs.” When asked why organic production was important to the farm, Emily explained, “We feel a strong stewardship of this old farmstead we are looking after. We are creating a sanctuary for people, pollinators and creatures in the suburban Portland area – being organic is critical to this mission. Finally, we love soil – deep, rich, healthy, life-giving soil. Being an organic farmer means building that soil every year.” Meeting House Herb Farm values stewardship of the land and soil as the way to grow nutritionally dense vibrant food and herbs for their community. 

 

You can find Meeting House Farm products on their website and at the Belfast Co-op. 

April 21, 2021

Meet Wise Acres Farm in Kenduskeag, Maine! Wise Acres Farm grows certified organic vegetables and berries. They love bringing their customers the best of what the season has to offer. The farm sells their produce through farmers’ markets in Ellsworth and Bangor, as well as through a CSA for the Bangor/Brewer/Kenduskeag area. When asked why organic production is important to them, Brittany Hopkins explained, “Organic production guides us to pay careful attention to the health of the people we feed and the soil in which our food grows. We are proud to have MOFGA Certification Services independently verify and certify our organic practices.” The farm values organic principles and practices that promote soil health and nutritious food, including extensive cover-cropping and crop rotation.

You can learn more about Wise Acres Farm on their website as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

May 5, 2021

Meet Helios Horsepower Farm in Guilford, Maine! Helios Horsepower Farm grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables with the help of their draft horses, Annie and Billy. Their organic produce is available at their farmstand in Guilford and through the online Maine Highlands Farmers’ Market. Through Mainers Feeding Mainers of the Good Shepherd Food Bank, their produce is available to all at local food pantries. When asked why organic production is important to the farm, Lizzy explained, “Vegetables that grow in healthy soils taste awesome because they contain far more of the nutrients our bodies need. Living soils are also regenerative, so soil tended today will be able to feed our grandkids. Using organic and scale appropriate methods, we can grow an amazing amount of food on just a few acres.” Lizzy also says, “Feed the soil and let the soil feed the crops!”

You can learn more about Helios Horsepower Farm on their Facebook.

April 8, 2021

Our featured producer this week is Dig Deep Farm in South China, Maine. Dig Deep Farm produces MOFGA-certified organic pea shoots, microgreens, and specialty salad mix, among other organic vegetables. They love to trial new varieties of vegetables – particularly purple ones. You can purchase their produce at farmers’ markets in Augusta, Hallowell, Skowhegan, Islesboro and through the DayBreak Growers Alliance. They also offer year-round CSAs. Dalziel Lewis of Dig Deep Farm says that “being MOFGA-certified organic helps us become better farmers.” The principles and practices of organic production that the farm values most are soil health and social responsibility.

Visit their website for more information.

May 19, 2021

Meet Smithereen Farm in Pembroke, Maine! The farm is certified organic by MOFGA and protected by conservation easements put in place by Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the farmhouse was kindly fixed up by Maine Farmland Trust. Severine Fleming of Smithereen Farm says that they are beneficiaries of these amazing organizations that have worked together to make Maine the state with the greatest amount of young farmers per capita in the nation. The farm harvests, dries and processes wild-growing seaweed, herbs, flowers and mushrooms (certified organic). They produce many value-added organic products like tinctures, dried seaweed and dried herbs. You can find these products and much more at the Blue Hill Co-op, Whole Life Natural Market, Random Harvest Market and in the Smithereen Farm webshop. Fleming says, “We are delighted to eat from a highly charged ecological food commons shared with many wild creatures — whales, moose, coyotes, foxes, grouse, bobcats and owls.” The farm is fertilized with seaweed they harvest from Cobscook Bay. 

You can also find the farm on Instagram and Facebook @smithereenfarm or on their website.

March 11, 2021

Meet Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchants of Litchfield, Maine! Gryffon Ridge is a MOFGA certified organic spice merchant that sells herbs, spices, culinary blends and gourmet salts at many retail locations throughout New England (listed on their website) as well as across the U.S. through their online store. Their spice blends are all crafted in Maine, and they have an array of products for every kitchen. Christine from Gryffon Ridge says that organic production is important to them because it assures the safest product for their customers from a local, reliable source.

Find Gryffon Ridge Spice Merchants on Facebook, Instagram and their website.

February 27, 2021

Meet the folks from Three Sisters Farm in South Berwick, Maine. Three Sisters Farm is a small MOFGA certified organic family farm focused on long-term soil health and sustainable growing methods. Maggie O’Brien says, “We never compromise quality, but we believe in making organic food affordable.” They sell their tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, broccolini, salad greens and other MOFGA certified produce through their CSA and seasonal farmstand, and to local restaurants. When asked why organic production is important to them, they answered: “We care about the health of our children and our community and hope to contribute to a more sustainable local food system.” The organic principles and practices that they value most are “building organic matter and soil fertility using continuous cover cropping and crop rotation techniques.”

Find Three Sisters Farm on Facebook and Instagram @threesistersfarmsobo.

February 12, 2021

Meet Laura Neale of Black Kettle Farm in Lyman, Maine. The farm is woman-owned and has been staffed mostly by women over the last 13 years. Black Kettle Farm transitioned to organic production from a conventional corn farm. Laura says it is now “a diverse, sometimes chaotic, field of a huge range of vegetables and herbs, all at different stages, that are constantly changing and shifting to reflect the season.” It is host to bees, frogs, worms and birds, Laura continues. Black Kettle Farm sells their products through an 18-week CSA with pick-ups in Lyman, Portland and Kittery, through the Maine Senior FarmShare program, and to restaurants from Kittery to Portland. When asked why organic production is important to her, Laura explained, “I feel like it is not just about the production of safe food for consumers, but also about how the farm interacts with the natural world as a whole.” We asked Laura what organic principles and practices she most values and she responded, “I value the farm inspection that happens during the growing season after plans and certification paperwork have been submitted. I think that it is so important to meet in-person, walk around the farm, show records and receipts, and talk about the operation.” Photo courtesy of Laura Neale.

Find Black Kettle Farm on Facebook, Instagram and the farm website.

September 3, 2020
Meet Stowe and Dylan of Old Wells Farm in Limington, Maine. The whole crew consists of Stowell Watters, Marina Steller, Alaena Robbins and Dylan Watters, who grow MOFGA-certified organic produce and seedlings on their family land. They produce organically because they like to “keep it clean.” The crew attests that the record-keeping requirements of organic production help them stay organized. Learn more about Old Wells Farm on Facebook, Instagram or at www.oldwellsfarm.com.
September 10, 2020

Meet Sara Faull and Genio Burtin of Mandala Farm in Gouldsboro, Maine. They, their children and Burtin’s parents maintain 2.5 acres of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and diverse livestock enterprises. They sell their vegetables to restaurants and retail stores on Mount Desert Island and through their CSA, self-serve farm stand and the Winter Harbor Farmers’ Market. They farm primarily using Fjords, which haul in crops, spread manure, plant cover crops, move firewood and carry maple sap. See Sonja Heyck-Merlin’s article about Mandala Farm in the fall issue of The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener.

Find Mandala Farm on Facebook, Instagram and the farm website.
August 20, 2020
Meet the folks from Passamaquoddy Maple in Jackman, Maine! A 100% tribally owned business that produces MOFGA certified organic Maple Syrup products “that will not only sustain our tribal land, but also create jobs for our people.” Passamaquoddy Maple sells products online, through wholesale accounts, at craft/artisan shows (in a normal year), and at their office in Jackman (call first). They choose to produce organically because “it guarantees a wholesome product without any added chemicals.” To learn more about Passamaquoddy Maple and to purchase their MOFGA certified Maple Syrup, please visit them online at https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/, on Facebook (@PassamaquoddyMapleSyrup), or Instagram (@passamaquoddymaple).
August 6, 2020
At Aroostook Hops in Westfield, Maine, Krista Delahunty, Jason Johnston and their three children (Kathleen, Marie and Elise) grow MOFGA-certified organic hops. They have been growing the crop for over 11 years. They produce five varieties of hops on 4 acres and supply fresh and pelletized hops to many Maine breweries. Organic production is important to them because they are both biologists and “have always paid attention to potentially harmful chemicals in our environment.” Aroostook Hops values organic soil-building practices in organic production, but most of all the farmers value avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals that may have unknown negative health effects. Find their products at https://aroostookhops.com and https://www.etsy.com/shop/AroostookHops.
July 16, 2020
Meet Cindy Townsend and Ron DiGravio of Cranberry Rock Farm LLC in Winthrop, Maine. They grow organic produce of all kinds. You can find their products at multiple health food stores, farmers’ markets, and on their online store. As Cindy says of growing organically, “organic production is the best way to work with the environment and to optimize nutrient density in the vegetables we grow.” When asked what organic production principles and practices they most valued, Cindy explained, “we value minimal tillage and cover cropping as the best ways to enhance the health of our soil and of our farm as a whole.” Visit them online at their website, on Facebook, on Instagram @cranberryrockfarm and remember to look for the MOFGA Certified Organic logo where you shop.
April 23, 2020
Meet Emilia Carbone and Jed Beach of 3 Bug Farm in Lincolnville, Maine. They and their four sons, Ray, Silas, Luca and Tait, grow all the MOFGA-certified organic vegetables you can think of, plus flowers, seedlings, black raspberries, table grapes, strawberries and in the coming years a larger diversity of fruit. Find 3 Bug Farm produce at their farm stand on Route 235 in Lincolnville and at many midcoast stores. The farm is named for the swallowtail butterflies, fireflies and dragonflies that populate the area in warmer months. Growing organically helps achieve this biodiversity and a complex and balanced farm ecosystem, say the farmers, adding, “We have made a promise to not overdevelop our property and to work with our surroundings.” Having four boys always snacking on the farm produce is another great reason for being organic.
April 9, 2020
At Whitehill Farm in East Wilton, Maine, Amy LeBlanc produces MOFGA-certified organic seedlings, vegetables and value-add products, which she has been selling at the Farmington Farmers’ Market for over 20 years. She also sells at craft fairs and festivals; through the Western Maine Market, a local online farmer-to-consumer connection; and at the Better Living Center in Farmington. Since the Fedco Tree Sale is canceled for this year, she’ll sell her seedlings on-farm at the end of May. Call if you’re looking for seedlings.
April 16, 2020
Meet Ben Daly of Chirp Creek Farm in Lisbon, Maine, pictured here with Sophia Gamache (site manager at Lewiston Farmers’ Market). Chirp Creek grows many types of MOFGA-certified organic produce. Daly is especially proud of its fancy lettuce varieties. The Chirp Creek farmers grow organically because they believe that organic farms are part of a holistic, healthy system, and because they know their customers like to be assured of the quality of their produce. Two horses do the tillage and cultivation. A crew of two helps Ben to do the rest of the field work and packing, as do various friends and family members occasionally. You can find Chirp Creek products at the Lewiston, Auburn, Cumberland and Falmouth farmers’ markets. They also sell wholesale.
April 2, 2020
Meet Jason and Barbara Kafka of Checkerberry Farm in Parkman, Maine. They grow MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and seedlings, which they wholesale to Whole Foods, Fedco, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Crown of Maine, and other MOFGA-certified organic farms. Jason grows organically because, as he says, “we always have. It just seemed the sensible thing to do.” Due to the circumstances, the Kafkas will sell seedlings from their farm this year instead of at the Fedco Tree sale (which has been canceled for 2020). Beginning on May 7 and into June, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or by appointment), the farm will be open for purchase and pickup of its organic seedlings. Jason wishes resilience for everyone and urges us to remember that “we are all in this together!”
March 19, 2020
Meet Rodney Boyington and Vanessa Rancourt of Jackman Maple Syrup. Their sugarbush is nestled on the north facing slope of Bald Mountain, just north Jackman, and they produce MOFGA-certified organic maple products, including syrup and sugar. Find their maple products in local stores in Jackman as well as at farmers markets, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and stores along the coast. They offer certified organic maple products because they “understand the need for clean, healthy options for people to feel good about.” Additionally, “Simply pure maple syrup is straight from our trees to your table. We also do our part to keep the trees and land thriving for years to come.” Visit their online store at www.jackmanmaple.com.
March 12, 2020
Meet Josh Girard of Girard Farm in Lyman and Waterboro, Maine. Girard and his crew produce over 40 kinds of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and organic eggs for farmers’ markets in Biddeford, Saco, Wells and Berwick, and for a few grocers in Biddeford and Lyman. Girard Farm also sells through its farm stand at 385 Main Street in Waterboro and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs with drop-off available in Lyman, Portland and Biddeford.
February 27, 2020
Meet Joel Alex, founder and maltster of Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls. Alex and his fabulous team of six produce MOFGA-certified organic malted barley, wheat, rye and oats – all sourced from Maine farms. They sell to more than 100 breweries, most in Maine. When Blue Ox opened in 2015, it was the largest floor malt house in North America. Floor malting is the traditional method of malting grain on germination floors rather than in mechanized boxes. Ask for Blue Ox Malt where you drink.
February 20, 2020
Meet Jereme, Carli, Donna and Carroll Frigon of Gray Jay Mapleworks in Moose River. They produce MOFGA-certified organic maple syrup as well as maple cream, candy, sugar and taffy. Their products are available through their website (grayjaymaple.com) and at many stores and festivals throughout the state. They choose organic certification “because it means producing wholesome, healthy and delicious maple products, while working hard to be great stewards of the land. We take great pride in producing delicious maple products that our customers can feel good about feeding their families. We are passionate about the outdoors and everything maple.”
February 6, 2020
Meet Carole Mapes of Flywheel Flowers in Brooks, Maine. Mapes grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and herbs, as well as perennial and annual flowers for many occasions. Flywheel Everlasting Flowers are available through Valentine’s Day. Every Saturday in May, Mapes hosts a spring plant sale on her farm, and from May through October she sells fresh flowers at the Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor farmers’ markets. You can also find many Flywheel Flowers products on the online store at https://www.flywheelflowers.com/.
Meet Ryan Clarke and Courtney Williams of Marr Pond Farm in Sangerville, Maine. The two raise MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, cut flowers and forest-grown mushrooms. They sell at the Orono and Waterville farmers’ markets and through their CSA, and some flower arrangements grace wedding tables. Both have extensive agricultural backgrounds, and Williams (formerly the Common Ground Country Fair coordinator) is a MOFGA journeyperson. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/marrpondfarm/.
Meet The Maine Potato Lady of Guilford, Maine. Alison, Roseanna, Paul and Lucien LaCourse run this MOFGA-certified organic seed company. While the Maine Potato Lady specializes in organic seed potatoes, Alison also carries MOFGA-certified organic transplants, sweet potato slips, seed garlic, heritage grains and cover crops. The business offers small sizes of seeds for gardeners and larger sizes for market growers. The Maine Potato Lady procures as much seed from small family farms as possible. Alison says, “We offer a selection of organic products as we have an inherent belief in growing and living organically.” To order seeds, visit their website: http://www.mainepotatolady.com/
January 16, 2020
Meet Beth Schiller of Dandelion Spring Farm in Bowdoinham. In addition to being MOFGA’s board president, Schiller grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and herbs that she sells at the Portland Farmers’ Market on Saturdays year round and at the Rockland Farmers’ Market from May through October, as well as wholesale to several restaurants and stores along the coast from Camden to Portland. Learn more about Dandelion Spring Farm and its work to support food security in Maine at https://dandelionspringfarm.com/.
January 9, 2020
Meet Ian Jerolmack of Stonecipher Farm in Bowdoinham. Jerolmack and partner Emily Goodchild grow all MOFGA-certified organic produce at their farm. Stonecipher’s farmers grow organically because they believe it is the least they can do to lighten their load on the planet. Jerolmack says, “We couldn’t have done it without MOFGA!” See their website for more information and photos.
December 12, 2019
Meet Michael Connelly (left) who, with his family, founded and owns Little Red Cup Tea based in Brunswick, Maine. The company sells MOFGA-certified organic and certified Fair Trade tea sourced from China.
November 20, 2019
Meet Dale and Kipp Quinby of Red Bog in Sedgwick. The farm produces MOFGA-certified organic cranberries, sold through their farm stand and many local food retailers from Kittery through the Blue Hill Peninsula.
November 7, 2019
Meet Phil Cuddeback of Phil’s Farm in Eliot. Cuddeback grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for the farm’s CSA and for summer farmers’ markets in Portsmouth, Kittery and York.
Photo by Liars Bench Beer Company
October 17, 2019
Meet Abby Sadauckas and Jake Galle of Apple Creek Farm in Bowdoinham. Established in 1985 by Galle’s family, he and Sadauckas moved to Bowdoinham in 2014, expanded the pasture and land and now produce MOFGA-certified organic grass-fed beef, lamb and goat, as well as MOFGA-certified organic, pasture-raised broiler chickens, geese and turkeys.
October 10, 2019
Meet Julia and Andy McLeod and their children, Sophie and Otto, from Scratch Farm in Bowdoin. In addition to growing MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, they specialize in farm boxes filled with Scratch Farm grown, MOFGA-certified vegetables, fruit and herbs.
September 19, 2019
Meet Steve and Kari Farr and their children, of the Farr Homestead at 448 Barker Road in Troy, Maine. The Farrs produce MOFGA-certified organic wheat, dried beans, garlic and produce, and they custom-hatch organic chicks with their “Broody-for-Hire” hens. See http://www.farrhomestead.com/ for more information. Photo courtesy of the Farr Homestead
August 29, 2019
Blueberry season is on the downhill slide now, but there is still time to visit Winslow Farm in Falmouth. Farm Manager Max Boudreau, along with family, staff and volunteers, run this beautiful farm that provides pick your own MOFGA certified organic high-bush blueberries and all of the organic vegetables you could want. “The farm is a constantly evolving system that incorporates community-centered natural farming with homesteading practices and permaculture techniques with the vision of creating a sustainable experience for our family and community” – Winslow Farm. Stop by and visit their Flower Shop/Farm Stand – open everyday except Monday!
August 15, 2019
Meet Lauren Bruns from Lost and Found Farm in Gray. Newly certified organic by MOFGA, Lauren (a MOFGA Journeyperson) grows low-bush blueberries on the family farm. You can find these sweet blue morsels at the Portland Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and the Boothbay Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. We love local and organic!
August 1, 2019
Meet Noah Wentworth and Flora Brown (middle; farm owners/managers) and two of their apprentices, Deanna DeMatteo (left) and Sophie Olmsted (right), of Frinklepod Farm in Arundel, Maine. This MOFGA-certified organic farm has created a vibrant community around its farm store, which sells its own produce and other delicious local offerings from the community. The Pod, a net-zero structure at Frinklepod, is another way that the farm connects with its community through educational classes and events. Stop by for a Frinklepop and to meet the amazing crew. Learn more about Frinklepod at http://frinklepodfarm.com/.
July 25, 2019
Meet Keena Tracy of MOFGA-certified organic Little Ridge Farm in Lisbon Falls. The farm supplies organic produce to nearly 150 families within a 10-mile radius through its CSA. It also sells to Good Shepherd Food Bank, FLUX Restaurant and Bar and to a few local businesses that make specialty products. Tracy says, “Soil and environmental health are extremely important to me. For personal well-being I want to eat food that is raised organically and work with plants that are safe to handle. I am proud to sell a healthful product. Farming in Maine has been a wonderful experience. The technical support from MOFGA and the community’s desire for quality food has made a challenging career very rewarding. I can’t see myself doing anything else.” Learn more at http://littleridgefarm.com/.
March 14, 2019
Meet Meg and Ryan Mitchell of MOFGA-certified organic South Paw Farm in Freedom, Maine. South Paw raises mixed vegetables, herbs, cover crops, pasture, vegetable seedlings, peaches, raspberries, elderberries, pears, apples, plums and rhubarb.
March 7, 2019
Meet Bill, Anna and Rosey Guest of MOFGA-certified organic Bluebird Hill Farm in Jefferson. This solar-powered farm has been off the grid for over 30 years.
May 17, 2018
Meet Peter Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm in Liberty. He and Julie Beckford specialize in raising native perennial plants and flowers, and perennial culinary and medicinal herbs.
May 10, 2018
Meet Jennifer Lignini of MOFGA-certified organic Turtle Rock Farm in Brunswick. Turtle Rock produces blueberry cardamom jam, classic dill pickles and canned whole peeled tomatoes.
February 26, 2015
Meet Ivelisse Rivera, farm manager at MOFGA certified organic Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro. Darthia Farm is owned by Cynthia and Bill Thayer.
February 5, 2015
Meet Harold Lachance and Stella Lebrecque of Brelac Inc., who produce MOFGA certified organic maple syrup in Jackman. MOFGA certified more than 50 maple syrup producers, many of them in Quebec.
January 29, 2015
Meet Richard and Rejeanne Poirier who produce MOFGA certified organic maple syrup in St. Georges E., Quebec. MOFGA certified more than 50 maple syrup producers, many of them in Quebec.
January 22, 2015
Meet Erich Margeson and his family from Margeson Organic Farm in Westmanland. The Margesons raise MOFGA certified organic potatoes, seed potatoes, winter squash, oats and garlic, which they sell through Maine Potato Lady, Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Fedco.
February 21, 2014
Meet Eric and Becky Sideman of East Wind Farm in Strafford, N.H. Eric and Becky raise MOFGA certified organic strawberries and tomatoes, which they sell to specialty shops and at their farm.
February 14, 2014
Meet Rob Johanson and Jan Goranson of Goranson Farm in Dresden. These farmers raise MOFGA certified organic vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, seedlings, seed potatoes, strawberries, hay, pasture … and even edible flowers!
February 7, 2014
Meet Cheryl Wixson, who has two MOFGA certified organic businesses: Cheryl Wixson’s Kitchen and Rabbit Hill.
January 10, 2014
Meet Ben Whatley who, with his parents Laura (shown here) and Nick, runs Whatley Farm LLC in Topsham. Ben was a MOFGA apprentice on Broadturn Farm in Scarborough and a MOFGA journeyperson. The Whatleys grow vegetables and herbs,
September 5, 2018
Meet Mort and Barbara Mather of Easter Orchard Farm in Wells. Easter Orchard raises MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for Joshua’s Restaurant (www.joshuas.biz/), also in Wells and owned by the Mathers’ son. Mort is a former MOFGA president and board member who was also active in the Common Ground Country Fair for years. Barbara wrote a cooking column for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener. MOFGA is grateful for their years of commitment to organic.
February 19, 2015
At Chick Farm in Wells, Rick and Marilyn Stanley produce vegetables (including asparagus and sweet potatoes), raspberries, broilers and eggs, which they sell through farmers’ markets, natural food stores and at restaurants.
February 28, 2014
Meet Gail Faith Edwards of Blessed Maine Herb Farm in Athens. Gail and her daughters Rosa, Grace and Belle raise, harvest and process dozens of herbs and other medicinal plants – and even mushrooms – for use in tinctures, teas, elixirs, vinegars and other products.
September 5, 2019
Meet Finegan Ferreboeuf and Jason Gold from Steelbow Farm in Norridgewock. They sell their MOFGA-certified organic vegetables at three farmers’ markets, through a CSA program and to restaurants in central Maine and Portland. Learn more on the farm’s website
March 21, 2019
Meet John and Michele Pino of MOFGA-certified organic Mooarhill Farm in Mount Vernon, Maine.
February 28, 2019
Meet Tania Cubberly and Adam Lemieux of MOFGA-certified organic Skyfall Flowers in Winslow. Skyfall raises calendula and chamomile, dahlia tubers, as well as annual cut flowers and annual and perennial flower seedlings.
February 14, 2019
Meet Anne and Tim Devin of MOFGA-certified organic Chase Stream Farm in Monroe. The Devins grow mixed vegetables, basil, dill, vegetable seedlings, raspberries, rhubarb and elderberry. They make maple syrup and value-added products such as kimchi and kojang, a Korean hot sauce.

December 17, 2021

Nomad Pasta

Meet Noelle and Nick of Nomad Pasta in Belfast. Nomad Pasta produces organic, small-batch pasta. You can find their slow-dried pasta at the United Farmers Market of Maine in Belfast and at retail locations throughout the Northeast (see their website for more information). When asked why organic production is important, they responded: “One important thing to remember about organic certification is that it ensures the integrity of the product from start to finish, from growing practices to production protocols to cleaning procedures. When you buy organic, you can feel confident that the best practices have been used at every step, and that there has been no contamination with chemicals or non-organic ingredients. We believe organic ingredients and practices protect not only our own health, but the health of our farmers, ecosystems, and the planet in general.” They added, “The annual MOFGA inspection (while somewhat daunting!) helps us think through our systems and processes, and inevitably helps us find things we have missed in our planning. We’re hugely grateful to MOFGA for their help and guidance, from the very beginning.” 

Follow them on Instagram @nomadpastaco and look for the MOFGA certified organic logo where you shop.

Photo courtesy of Nomad Pasta

August 13, 2020
Meet some of the cows from Ledge Rock Farm in Knox, Maine! Ledge Rock Farm is a MOFGA certified organic dairy that sells milk to Organic Valley. They choose to be a MOFGA certified dairy because they believe it is important for their cows to go out to pasture and have access to the outdoors everyday. Being organic has given them the opportunity to know each of their cows and their unique personalities. It also enables them to recognize if something is off or different about a cow and catch an issue before it becomes a bigger problem. As Michele from Ledge Rock says, “Happy cows produce better milk!”
July 23, 2020
Meet Cassie Seawell and Michael Saucier of Leaf & Caul in Washington, Maine. This restoration-minded livestock farm raises animals (organically fed, forest-raised pork and MOFGA-certified organic chicken and eggs) on forage and organic grain in managed pastures and woods. Asked why organic production is important to them, Cassie explained, “We are committed to diversified, holistic, organic production as a means of repairing the damage to our soil ecosystems.” They value using manure and grazing as part of their organic principles and practices to improve soil health, which in turn produces healthy animals. Find Leaf & Caul products at the Belfast Co-op, Bahner Farm, Daybreak Growers Alliance, Farmers’ Gate Market, Maine Street Meats or at the farm (after contacting them). Learn more on its website and on Facebook (Leaf & Caul) and Instagram (@leafandcaul). Look for the MOFGA-certified logo where you shop.
January 2, 2020
Meet the Schofield team, Cindy (left), Ray (center, top), Elisha (right) and Elijah, of Back 40 Bakehouse in Montville. They bake MOFGA-certified organic breads for wholesale markets from the Midcoast through Waterville, including stores, cafes, buying clubs and CSA. Back 40 Bakehouse contributes all of the bread served at the MOFGA-El Salvador Sistering Committee’s Empty Bowl Supper. Learn more on their website: back40bakehouse.com.