When you donate $10 or more to Maine Farmland Trust, you become an annual member and join a growing community dedicated to protecting farmland, supporting farmers, and advancing the future of farming in Maine.
In 2016 the Wormell family worked with MFT to protect their 78 acre farm in Cumberland from development. But when fifth-generation farmer Brendon and his wife Brianna were ready to take over the family business, the price of the farm remained out of reach. If they couldn’t buy the farm, the desirable property just 15 minutes from Portland would likely attract non-farmers.
This year, Maine Farmland Trust was able to help the Wormells with an additional tool: an Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value (OPAV). The OPAV addition to the easement ensures that future sales will be to working farmers, and helped Brendon and Brianna afford the purchase. As they grow their beef operation, they will keep the land in working agriculture and protect it from development; reinvest in and grow their farm business; and contribute to the success of the surrounding community and economy.
You play a vital role in protecting farms and supporting farmers like the Wormells. Thank you for making a gift today to keep Maine’s agricultural lands working and help farmers and communities thrive.
“The driving factor in wanting to own and operate this farm was knowing that my great-grandfather, grandfather, and father worked so hard to keep it going. I spent my childhood learning from them and had a deep sense of pride in their hard work and the land. Working with Maine Farmland Trust helped us keep the farm in the family and secure it for future generations.”
- Brendon Wormell, Wormell Farms in Cumberland
