Press
Herald - Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and Environment, a farming
nonprofit based in Freeport, is bankrolling the $20 million Northeast Farmers
Fund with corporate donations, starting with a $500,000 contribution from
Hannaford Supermarkets.
As big as it is, the fund will not fill the massive funding
void created last year when the U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled Wolfe’s Neck Center’s five-year, $35 million
climate-smart farming grant.
But it’s a very good start, said Dave Herring, Wolfe’s Neck
Center’s executive director.
“Our number one lesson coming out of 2025 was that we needed
to diversify our funding,” Herring said. “We’re tapping local food companies,
philanthropic and private foundations, individual donors, and government grants
to create a pool of funding to help our farmers.”
And despite getting burned before — dozens of farmers across
the state saw their climate-friendly farming grants canceled last year, not
just Wolfe’s Neck — Maine farmers are still enthusiastic about adopting climate
mitigation strategies, including healthy soil programs.
The state programs that offer farmers technical assistance
in this area and fund equipment purchases always have waiting lists, said
Amanda Beal, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Forestry, during a wagon tour of Randall Orchards.
The Northeast Farmers Fund aims to help more than 400
regional farms adopt regenerative practices, like planting cover crops and
using no-till methods, through grants that top out at $50,000 a piece over at
least the next two years, if not longer, Herring said.
This shift from public to private backing matters acutely to
Maine growers, who have faced unexpected financial disruption when federal
support vanished, threatening the stability of statewide food supply chains,
Beal said.
Adopting sustainable soil management carries expensive
operational burdens for farmers, including steep upfront equipment expenses,
labor-intensive monitoring, and the financial gamble of altering established
routines.
POWNAL
Pownal continues to offer a Senior Property Tax Assistance Program to help eligible residents offset the cost of property taxes. The program is available to qualifying seniors who receive Maine's Property Tax Fairness-related tax relief benefits and meet the Town's eligibility requirements. Eligible applicants may receive a supplemental refund or credit from the Town to help reduce their property tax burden. This local assistance program reflects the Town's commitment to helping seniors manage the burden of property taxes. Interested in applying? Applications and eligibility information are available on the Town website or by contacting the Town Office. Town Office: 207-688-4611 x2
The Town of Pownal is currently hiring for two full-time Equipment Operator / Laborer positions to join our Public Works crew and a part-time administrative assistant to the Road Commissioner. This is a great opportunity to be part of a dedicated team that helps keep our community running smoothly year-round.
Interested applicants can view the job descriptions and download an application on our Employment page:
Are you passionate about recreation, community spaces, and making Pownal an even better place to live? The Town is seeking volunteers to serve on the Recreation Committee. The committee works with the Select Board to help identify recreational needs, encourage a variety of recreational opportunities, explore funding sources, support local programs and facilities, and promote healthy outdoor activities for residents of all ages. For more information or to express your interest in serving, visit the Recreation Committee page or fill out the volunteer application on the Town website or contact the Town Office.
UPCOMING
Freeport Farmers Market - Saturdays now through October: Through October 8:30am – 12:30pm at the BTLT Saturday Farmers Market at Crystal Spring Farm. 277 Pleasant Hill Road, Brunswick. The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Farmers Market was established in 1999 to advance the Land Trust’s mission of supporting local agriculture. With over forty vendors, many of whom have been with the Market since its inception, the Saturday morning market offers a variety of local, fresh produce
AUG 27
Art Afloat Closing Party: After a summer of creativity, community, and the exhibition of artist-painted lobster boats, we're gathering to celebrate the artists, sponsors, auction winners, and the success of this year's project. This is a FREE event, and everyone is welcome! Bring your friends and family to check out these unique works of art, place your last-minute bid, meet some of the artists, and enjoy one last look at Art Afloat before the boats head home. The Art Afloat online auction closes August 27 at 6:30 PM, and we're hoping to raise as much as possible to support the Youth Philanthropy Project at Freeport High School. Thursday, August 27, Harraseeket Inn, Freeport 5–7 PM RSVP
Winslow Park, 50 Winslow Park Way, Freeport: Bess Jacques & The Strays, 6-7:30, park has $3 entry fee
PreK AM Meet & Greet - Durham Community School 4:00 pm
AUG 28
Brickyard Hollow Brewing, 149 Maine St., Brunswick: Vanessa Jones, 6
AUG 30
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd., Bailey Island: Travis James Humprey, 5-8
Improving Fish Passage at the Brunswick Dam – Panel
Discussion. Free the Andro is hosting a panel discussion to explore
restoring abundant and sustainable fish passage at the Brunswick Dam. Tuesday,
September 15, from 5 to 6 p.m at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick
Maine Biz - L.L.Bean will mark the reopening of its Freeport flagship store with a month-long series of concerts and events. The store has undergone a $50 million makeover led by Freeport-based Zachau Construction. The 120,000-square-foot store is expected to open in September, with the grand opening set for Sept. 18-20.
Events will include cameos from Boston Red Sox and Portland Hearts of Pine players, as well as the Wallflowers, the band led by Jacob Dylan that rose to prominence in the 1990s with hits like “One Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache.”
Events will include a grand-opening weekend, Sept. 18-20, featuring an outdoor concert with country star Kip Moore.
A so-called heritage weekend, Sept. 25-27, will feature a vintage product drop and repairs for “well-loved” apparel.
A fall festival, slated for Oct. 2-4, will feature local makers, artists, music and food, presented by Visit Freeport.
A makers weekend, Oct. 9-11, will feature demonstrations by L.L.Bean artisans at work.
The annual pumpkin festival, Oct. 16-18, will include thousands of jack-o’-lanterns as well as fall crafts, treats and activities, presented by Camp Sunshine.
Events culminate with hometown weekend, Oct. 23-25, featuring players from the Boston Red Sox and Portland Hearts of Pine. The Friday night concert will spotlight Jacob Dylan and the Wallflowers.
L.L.Bean, founded in Freeport in 1912, operates 65 stores in 19 states, along with 25 stores in Japan and 14 stores in Canada.
Twin Keys: A Love Story: Thomas Wolf with Jessica Chow Shinn and Michael Shinn, duo-pianists 2 P
