Farm Energy Partners Network Guide
AgMatters
ltitus1@verizon.net
cleanenergy@mainerural.org
1063 Main Street
Vassalboro, ME 04989
Phone: 207-873-2108
Contacts: Lauchlin W. Titus, CPAg, CCA (Certified Professional Agronomist, Certified Crop Advisor), Jeremiah Titus, Crop Technician, and Linda Titus, Administrator
AgMatters’ (AM) mission is to provide information and services for Maine farmers to help them increase the productivity, quality, and profitability of their farm operations. By helping to improve farm operations, we will enhance the quality of life for farm families, the communities in which they operate, and the environment of the State of Maine—and we have fun doing it!
AM’s intent is to acquire the necessary training to assist Maine farmers with energy audits to advance their on farm initiatives and projects. AM has experience in assisting farmers with permit applications in other aspects of Maine agriculture.
Coastal Enterprises Inc.
P.O. Box 268
Physical Address: 36 Water Street
Wiscasset, ME 04578
Contact: Kerri Sands
Coastal Enterprises Incorporated (CEI) is a private, non-profit Community Development Corporation and Community Development Financial Institution.
CEI provides financing and support in the development of job-creating small businesses, natural resources industries, community facilities, and affordable housing.
CEI administers the “Farms for the Future”, a program of the Maine Department of Agriculture. This is a two-phase business assistance program that helps Maine farmers plan for the future of their agricultural enterprise.
Community Energy Partners
Sue Jones, President
Freeport, ME 04032
Phone: 207-221-5631
As a renewable energy and efficiency consulting company serving businesses, agricultural producers, and municipalities, the mission of Community Energy Partners is simple: to bring locally-owned renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to communities throughout the Northeast. We want to power communities by communities, houses by houses and farms by farms, drawing from the clean, renewable resources found right in our backyards. We have a special interest in wind projects.
Comm•En provides business consulting, strategic planning, government and media relations, policy, and grant writing.
Efficiency Maine
Efficiency Maine, Public Utilities Commission
18 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0018
Physical Address: 242 State Street, Augusta
Phone: 1-866-376-2463
Efficiency Maine offers a small business energy audit program and a small business low interest loan program. (Farms and farmers are eligible for assistance in the small business program.) Contact Shirley Bartlett at 287-3318.
Efficiency Maine’s website includes lists of certified solar thermal installers, certified residential energy auditors, and NABCEP certified solar electric installers. The website also includes publications about home energy, “new energy tax credits”, “small wind electric systems: Maine consumer’s guide”; and a Maine solar energy primer. Information about cash incentives for energy upgrades is also posted on Efficiency Maine’s site, as well as periodic announcements of grant programs.
Farm Credit of Maine, ACA
615 Minot Ave.
Auburn, ME 04210
Phone: 207-784-0193
Contact: Matthew Senter
Farm Credit of Maine provides short-term and long-term financing and leasing products for agricultural, aquatic, and forest products businesses in Maine.
Farm Service Agency
21 Enterprise Dr. Suite 1
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-622-7847
Contact: Brenda Wells, Farm Loan Officer
The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) mission is to provide financing to agricultural producers.
Funding is available for farm-based energy projects.
Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District
21 Enterprise Drive. Suite #1
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-622-7847 Ext. 3
Fax: 207-626-8196
Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District (KCSW&CD)’s mission is to protect and enhance Maine’s soil and water resources.
KCSW&CD provides educational programs, conservation information and technical assistance to municipalities, schools, landowners and residents of Kennebec County.
Laughing Stock Farm
79 Wardtown Road
Freeport, ME 04032
Phone: 207-865-3743
Laughing Stock Farm (LSF) is a four-season, certified organic farm located in Freeport, Maine serving the restaurant, retail, and consumer markets from Portland to Brunswick. Farming in their 17,000 square foot greenhouse allows them to provide fresh, local produce to restaurants and retailers all winter, while the farm’s eight outside acres are cultivated in the warmer months.
LSF currently burns used cooking oil from local restaurants in commercially-available waste oil burners to heat their greenhouse. In 2005, LSF used 5,500 gallons of used cooking oil for this purpose.
Maine Association of Conservation Districts
P.O. Box 152
Hallowell, ME 04374
Phone: 207-622-4443
The Maine Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) consists of 16 local offices across Maine.
By working with landowners, organizations, and our government, the districts have helped to protect soil, water, forestry, wildlife and other natural resources for over 60 years.
Local Conservation Districts provide technical assistance and educational programs on conservation issues including water quality, erosion, and agriculture.
Maine Clean Communities
Greater Portland Council of Governments
68 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101
Phone: 207-774-9891
Maine Clean Communities (MCC) is a locally based government/ industry partnership, coordinated by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel, and reduce the use of petroleum for transportation.
MCC provides information on incentives for alternative fuels (including biofuels) vehicles, and infrastructure.
Maine Department of Agriculture
28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Phone: 207-287-3491
Maine Department of Agriculture (the Department) strives to be a resource to the people of Maine on agricultural issues.
The Department provides low-interest loans for capital improvements through its Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund. It also provides grants to groups of farmers interested in doing a collective project for energy efficiencies, or who want to test new technologies that will help multiple farmers, through its Agricultural Development Grant Program.
Maine Farm Bureau
Jon Olson, Executive Secretary
4 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 1-800-639-2126
Maine Farm Bureau is a non-governmental, non-profit voluntary organization that lobbies for issues important to agriculture, landowners and the rural way of life.
Farm Bureau was formed to analyze problems and implement solutions important to Maine’s rural families. Farm families across the state unite in boardrooms, at kitchen tables, grange halls, or members’ farms to discuss ways to preserve agriculture as a way of life and as an industry in Maine.
Maine Farmland Trust
John Piotti, Executive Director
97 Main Street
Belfast, ME 04915
Phone: 207-338-6575
Fax: 207-338-6024
Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) is Maine’s only statewide land trust focused exclusively on farmland. Its mission is to protect and preserve Maine’s farmland, keep agricultural lands working and support the future of farming in Maine.
MFT works with landowners, land trusts, farm groups, towns and state agencies, identifying and preserving valuable agricultural land so that it will forever remain available for agriculture.
Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association
P.O. Box 170
294 Crosby Brook Road
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
The purpose of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is to help farmers and gardeners grow organic food, protect the environment, recycle natural resources, increase local food production, support rural communities, and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound growing practices.
MOFGA provides technical and marketing assistance as well as informational resources on organic gardening and farming, holds educational seminars and promotes community agriculture. MOFGA holds its annual Common Ground Fair where 50,000 fair-goers a year join to share knowledge about sustainable living.
Maine Organic Milk Producers
Mia Morrison, Executive Director
159 Atkinson Road
Charleston, ME 04422
Phone: 207-564-3635
Maine Organic Milk Producers (MOMP) collaborates with the University of Maine and its membership to conduct onfarm research on growing energy and protein grain crops. This information is shared in newsletters, e-mails and through forage and grain conferences held in the spring and fall of each year. MOMP also helps to host field days during the growing season.
This past year, MOMP’s research focused on growing small grains (winter and summer) along with some test plots of sunflowers for oil and protein meal for livestock feed. MOMP has also developed a non-profit cooperative to facilitate group purchases.
Maine Rural Partners
Mary Ann Hayes, Executive Director
maryann@mainerural.org, 207-581-4521
AgMatters, Farm Energy Partners Network Coordinators
cleanenergy@mainerural.org, 207-873-2108
4 York Village
Orono, ME 04469-5784
Phone: 207-581-4520
Fax: 207-581-1266
Maine Rural Partners’ (MRP) mission is to strengthen the capacity of rural communities to secure a sustainable high quality of life. As Maine’s federally recognized state rural development council, MRP specializes in building collaborative, integrated approaches to address identified needs at the state, regional and grassroots levels. MRP listens to what’s needed, connects the right players and creates innovative, value-added solutions.
As a response to both need and opportunity, MRP convened and facilitates the Farm Energy Partners network (FEP). FEP coordinates the programs of agricultural, energy, environmental and business support interests to leverage our collective ability to achieve energy efficiencies and pursue on-farm renewable energy technologies. With support of the USDA Risk Management Agency, FEP is strengthening its capacity to serve the farm community. To request a “Harvesting Clean Energy” farm energy audit, renewable energy assessment or resource materials, contact AgMatters, Network Coordinators at 873-2108 or cleanenergy@mainerural.org.
Maine Small Business Development Centers
96 Falmouth Street
Portland, ME 04104
Physical Address: 68 High Street
Phone: 207-780-4420
The mission of the Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC) and its technology-focused group, the Maine Small Business & Technology Development Centers (Maine SBTDC), is to assist in the creation and maintenance of viable micro, small and technology-based businesses and the jobs these businesses provide.
Maine SBDC and Maine SBTDC provides comprehensive business management assistance, training, resource and information services to Maine’s micro, small, and technology-based business communities.
Northeast States Association for Agricultural Stewardship
5 McCobb Rd.
Dresden, ME 04342
Phone: 207-737-4717
Fax 207-737-2280
Contact: Marge Kilkelly, Director
The Northeast States Association for Agricultural Stewardship (NSAAS) was created in 1999 to provide a unified voice for northeast agriculture in the development of the 2002 Farm Bill. The Executive Committee is composed of the chairs, vice chairs and ranking members of the state legislative committees responsible for agriculture policy.
NSAAS, through publications, conferences and staff serves as a clearinghouse and resource for legislators and advocates as they develop innovative agricultural policies dedicated to promoting and assisting agricultural and rural development in the northeast.
NSAAS shares information about public policy and programs in the 10 northeast states, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and 6 eastern Canadian provinces.
NSAAS provides a free weekly e-newsletter which includes news clips, events, federal updates and more. Contact mkilkelly@csg.org to be included.
St. John Aroostook Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Area
735 Main St., Suite #3
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: 207-764-4126 Ext. 5
Fax: 207-768-3407
Contact: Skip Babineau, Coordinator
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a unique program that helps people care for and protect their natural resources in a way that will improve the area’s economy, environment and living standards. It provides a way for people to work together to plan and carry out activities that will make their area a better place to live. It improves the capability of State, tribal and local units of government and non-profit organizations in rural areas to plan, develop and carry out programs for resource conservation and development.
Threshold to Maine RC&D Area
67 Shaker Road, Suite #9
Gray, ME 04039-9640
Phone: 207 657-3131
Contact: Mark Hews, Coordinator
Threshold to Maine’s mission is to position natural resource based industries as key economic development centers for southern and western Maine communities, expanding the number of small natural resource based businesses contributing to local, regional, state, national, and international economies.
Threshold to Maine provides project consultation and coordination assistance, along with facilitation services. Other technical assistance services include meeting coordination and facilitation, project and strategic planning, and media development.
Time and Tide RC&D Area
21 Enterprise Drive, Suite #1
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-622-7847, Ext. 4
Fax: 207-626-8196
The Time & Tide RC&D Council’s (RC&D) mission is to help people develop, care for, and appreciate their natural resources in a manner that will enrich their community and better their lives.
The Council’s purpose is to provide local leadership in activities fostering the orderly conservation, improvement, development, and wise use of the natural resources within the Time & Tide RC&D Area, thereby improving the economic opportunities of the people within the Six-County Area.
The Council provides assistance and technical guidance on grant writing and preparation.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMaine Extension) has 16 offices across Maine.
UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives.
Contacts:
- For information on commercial cultivation of canola as a rotation and/or energy crop and infrastructure to establish canola processing facilities for biodiesel and other uses, contact: Peter Sexton, 800-287-1462, psexton@umext.maine.edu
- For information on organic dairy and grain production, contact: Rick Kersbergen, 800-287-1426, richardk@umext.maine.edu
- For information on alternative energy, including methane digesters, contact: Caragh Fitzgerald, 800-287-1481, cfitzgerald@umext.maine.edu
UMaine Extension provides individual farm consultations, holds conferences and has a number of fact sheets available on their web site, and provides other forms of farm-based outreach.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Maine District Office
Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building
68 Sewall St, Room 512
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-622-8274
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) mission is to help entrepreneurs realize their own potential. Each successful business in Maine makes a contribution to our economy, not only for the owners and employees, but for the community as a whole.
The SBA guarantees other financial institutions’ loans.
The SBA offers a free annual Maine Small Business Resource Guide and connects individuals with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), retired volunteers that offer free financial counseling at seven chapters throughout Maine.
Western Mountains Alliance
info@westernmountainsalliance.org
109A Church Street
Church Street Commons
P.O. Box 29
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: 207-778-3385
The Western Mountains Alliance (WMA) strives to improve the quality of life and to strengthen the regional identity of the western mountains region of Maine, while honoring rural values and the environment, and supporting sustainable community development.
WMA’s Eat Smart Eat Local initiative produces directories of farms, farm-stands and farmer’s markets in western Maine. WMA also works to support farm to school connections and organizes a winter workshop series on topics of interest to local farmers.
Women’s Agricultural Network
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 179
Monmouth, ME 04259
Phone: 207-933-2100 x103
1-800-924-5258 (Maine only)
The Women’s Agricultural Network (WaGN) enables women and other underserved people to successfully own, operate and support agriculturally-related enterprises. WaGN connects women and underserved farmers with appropriate resources including agricultural workshops, programs, and informal gatherings to learn from each other’s experiences.