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.