Second ‘Meet Your Farmer’ event planned
On April 11, well over 100 farmers, buyers and members of the consuming public gathered at The Crow’s Nest Restaurant and Event Center in Presque Isle to sample local foods, discuss the benefits of supporting local agriculture and to share farming stories in person and on film.
Co-sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust and the Aroostook County Farm Bureau, the event featured a screening of a series of short documentary films entitled “Meet Your Farmer,” which tell the diverse stories of eight Maine farms from Aroostook to York counties. One of the “movie stars.” Aroostook County’s own Scott Ayotte of Ayotte Farms in Hamlin, was present in the audience and was recognized by the group. The event was touted by the two organizations as a first step towards promoting local agriculture and building new alliances to help sustain the farming community.
On Monday, Aug. 29, the Farm Bureau will continue its efforts to promote local foods, local farms and the community support necessary for sustainability with a St. John Valley viewing of the “Meet Your Farmer” films. This screening will be in conjunction with the 57th Farm Bureau annual meeting and dinner. The event will be held in UMFK’s Nadeau Hall beginning with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a local-foods dinner at 6:15 p.m. and a program including the viewing of the films, a presentation by Crown of Maine Co-op and an introduction to a local food co-operative idea for the St. John Valley. The St. John Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is joining with existing partners representing Maine Farmland Trust, the Aroostook Beef Producers, New England Organics, the Aroostook Horse Council, Farm Family Insurance and the Maine Farm Bureau to make it a true community event and the public is invited to attend — reservations required.
For more information or to make a reservation, call either Rommy Haines at the Aroostook Farm Bureau 227-5489 or Sigrid Houlette at the St. John Valley SWCD, 834-3311, ext. 3.
