Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
ActiveFood, Agriculture & Nutrition
About Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is a broad-based community that educates about and advocates for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities.
Focus Areas
Organic agricultureFarmer technical assistanceBeginning farmer supportEducation and trainingAdvocacy and policyCommunity events and engagementSustainable food systems
Who They Fund
produce farmers / growersfarm operations seeking certificationfood safety professionals and inspectorsrural farming communities
Funding Style
About Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
PFAS emergency funding is the clearest recent signal in Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s grantmaking. In 2024, the association directed $492,491 to Maine Farmland Trust in Belfast, followed by $158,411 to Ironwood Farm in Albion and $48,212 to New Beat Farm in Knox, all labeled for PFAS emergency funds. That pattern shows a funder responding to contamination pressures on farms as well as supporting the organizations around them. The association’s recent grants also reach beyond crisis response into the operating needs of organic growers and the systems that support them. It funded University of Maine in Orono for farm visibility and certification subsidies, and Pica in Belfast for farm visibility. Other awards support produce safety, professional development, research, and tax and infrastructure assistance tied to PFAS. The recipient list includes farms, land trusts, universities, extension services, and consultants, which points to a mix of direct farm support and field-building grants. Maine-based recipients dominate the portfolio, and the names of grantees show a strong emphasis on working farms and organizations serving them. The association’s public identity centers on organic agriculture, farmer technical assistance, beginning farmer support, education, advocacy, and sustainable food systems, and the recent grants reflect those priorities in practical, program-specific ways.
What Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Funds
PFAS-related work is a major theme. In 2024, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association gave $492,491 to Maine Farmland Trust in Belfast for PFAS emergency funds, $158,411 to Ironwood Farm in Albion for the same purpose, and $13,920 to Weeks & Son Well Drilling in Oakland for PFAS emergency funds. Those grants show support for both farm operations and the infrastructure they rely on. The association also backs farm visibility and certification-related work. It awarded $29,151 to University of Maine in Orono for farm visibility and certification subsidies, $23,843 to Pica in Belfast for farm visibility, and $8,005 to Harvest Tide Organics in Bowdoinham for farm visibility. Produce safety appears as another focus: grants went to Umaine Cooperative Extension-bangor in Bangor, New Roots Cooperative Farm in Lewiston, Mic Mac Farms in Presque Isle, Hart Farm in Holden, and Whatley Farm LLC in Topsham. Professional development shows up too, including support for Nofa Vermont in Richmond and Land for Good Inc in Keene.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$118K
Total Assets
$13.7M
Total Revenue
$6.2M
Total Expenses
$5.8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $9K and $26K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$26K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
SARAH ALEXANDER
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime