Film: “Growing Local”
Great Works Regional Land Trust and Maine Farmland Trust
Location: Hilton Winn Farm, 189 Ogunquit Road, Cape Neddick, ME
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2015
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Fee: Free, reservations requested
As a kick-off for their new partnership, Great Works Regional Land Trust (GWRLT) and Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) will co-host a screening of “Growing Local” on the evening of June 18, starting at 6:30 pm at the Hilton-Winn Farm in Cape Neddick. The film was co-produced by Maine filmmaker Bridget Besaw and MFT, and highlights the growing pains of the local food movement. A panel, moderated by John Piotti, President of MFT, and including Amanda Beal, Debra Kam and other farm and food experts, will lead a community discussion to explore both opportunities and challenges.
A future for farming in York County, Maine is important for securing local food sources. And yet, many local farms are facing transition; irreplaceable farm soils and open fields are at risk for development. GWRLT has a history of protecting farmland that dates back to 1989 when it preserved Backfields Farm, and is accelerating its efforts as agricultural land comes under increasing pressure. GWRLT is working with farm owners, many of whom are aging beyond the desire or ability to continue farming, to protect 1,500 acres of farmland on 13 farms, located in Berwick, South Berwick, North Berwick, Eliot, and Wells.
This year, GWRLT established a partnership with Maine Farmland Trust, a force for farmland protection statewide, to strengthen its farmland protection efforts. Maine Farmland Trust provides technical assistance in project work, and collectively, the two nonprofits are raising $100,000 to fund farmland conservation in the region.
Free admission, reservations requested. Contact: 207-646-3604, [email protected].
For more information: www.gwrlt.org