Dig into the newest issue of the Maine Farms journal!
May 11, 2026
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Emily Lad
Each year, Maine Farmland Trust produces a new volume of stories, photography, and art to explore different facets of Maine’s food and farming community – and as a way to say thank you to supporters like you, who are helping us to grow a vibrant future for Maine’s farms and farmland every day. (Not yet a supporter of Maine Farmland Trust? Join us today!)
You can read (and share!) the complete 2025 issue of the Maine Farms journal and explore the archive of past issues at mainefarmlandtrust.org/journal. Scroll below to take a peek at the featured stories and access the two bonus audio playlists we've specially curated for this issue.
A peek at what's in the 2025 issue...
Check out two recommended reads: Body in the Blueberry Barrens, a whodunit set in the wild blueberry barrens of Downeast Maine by Claire Ackroyd, andFeed Us With Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food, a look at how we might repair relationships with food-producing trees and reimagine agriculture as part of an abundant ecological landscape by Elspeth Hay.
We’ve curated two playlists to accompany this issue: rock out to the songs that Maine farmers had on repeat inSong of the Summer the next time you get your hands in the dirt, and dive deeper into some of the topics we explore in the journal (featuring some familiar voices!) and other podcast episodes that caught our attention in the Podcast Playlist.
Get the recipe for a Maine-made meal – and the story of the often unseen ingredients, from seed to irrigation systems to shelving, in the journey from farm to table – in What’s in the Recipe?by Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz.
Overcoming the obstacles to grow the future of Maine’s dairy sector demands creativity and commitment – but Maine farmers are up for the challenge. Find out more in Passing on the Milking Pail by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen and Chip Dillon.
Meet Heather Flor Cron, Autumn-Jade Fitch, and Erica Emery – three land stewards striving to enrich local communities through connections with food and land – in Grounded in Community, by Katy Kelleher and Molly Haley.
Quality farmland is increasingly difficult to find and afford. In Finding Their Way to Farmland, by Alex Redfield and Sean Alonzo Harris, read five stories showing creative pathways to farmland access offer lessons to guide our work toward a vibrant future.
Barn cats and farm dogs are more than pets – they are part of the farm crew with important jobs to do! Say hello to a few fuzzy companions, workers, and agricultural icons in Barn Cats & Farm Dogs, by Holli Cederholm and Kelsey Kobik.
InVoices from the MFT Community, we asked three MFT supporters why they feel connected to Maine farms. Find out what Josselyn Miller, Rob Tod, and Alix Hopkins have in common with one another – and with all of you!
Why did the journal go digital this year?
2025 was a demanding year for many organizations, including Maine Farmland Trust. As we made hard but responsible budget decisions, we knew that continuing to tell the stories of Maine farms through the journal matters, even if that meant delivering it a little differently. As it turns out, in addition to saving costs, going digital has created an opportunity for us to widen the gates beyond MFT supporters. We’ve eliminated the password protected page to access the journal so that everyone can enjoy and share these stories, whether you’ve supported us for years or are discovering us for the first time!
We’ll also share articles from the journal via email from time to time. If you would like to receive our emails, please sign up at mainefarmlandtrust.org/stay-in-touch.
Inspired by these stories and want to get involved?
Donate to help protect farmland and support local farms, and learn about the many ways you can get involved with Maine Farmland Trust – whether it’s taking action with us, joining us at an event, or digging into our catalog of films, podcasts, and other stories about Maine farms.
