From apple orchards to wild blueberry farms, Maine’s agricultural sector is a point of pride in our state. Agriculture is a growing part of the state economy, contributing billions of dollars in impact while supporting tens of thousands of jobs.
Maine is home to more than one million acres of agricultural land, and people need to tend that land. With an aging population of farmers ready to retire, our state needs young farmers to take up the mantle and serve consumers. Since 2007, sales of Maine organic products have grown 67 percent, as even non-Mainers turn to Vacationland for high-quality foodstuffs. Who can blame them?
Whether it’s basic supply-and-demand economics or demographic trends, young Mainers have a unique opportunity in agriculture. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Gorham’s nonprofit Shaw Cherry Hill Farm recently teamed up to introduce teenagers to farm labor, offering coursework in tractor safety. Teens graduating from the UMaine Cooperative Extension course earn federally recognized certificates to work on farms, including the operation of basic and advanced equipment.
Many farms are struggling to find workers, but the need for apples, wild blueberries, maple syrup refills, and other quintessentially Maine products isn’t going away. From equipment operators to soil scientists or seed and feed specialists, agribusiness is booming business, and young employees can find long-term, lucrative careers. It is fulfilling work too, since farm workers are quite literally feeding America. That’s why the United States Department of Agriculture recently announced a $1.2 million grant to advance farm innovation in Maine.
For those interested in Maine’s agriculture industry, there are plenty of valuable resources out there. Databases like the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Farm Labor Link Network help match job creators and potential workers. The Maine Career Exploration Program has helped students create ELOs with various farms to great success!
Let’s feed America! Mainers need a helping (farm)hand.