Empowering Tomorrow’s Farmers: Merrymeeting Food Council’s Innovative Training Programs

The Merrymeeting Food Council is looking for applicants for their Farm Skills Training Program this year. This initiative addresses the ongoing labor shortage in Maine’s farming sector.

The training program lasts about 11 weeks, from mid-March to early June. Participants will work 6 to 10 hours each week and earn $15 per hour. Residents of Bath and Brunswick can apply until February 1. Priority is given to applicants aged 16 to 24, as well as anyone over 16 who receives TANF or SNAP benefits.

Launched in 2022, the program helps participants learn essential farming skills. It also helps them access resources for food, childcare, transportation, and career support, thanks to partnerships with organizations like Goodwill’s Workforce Solutions.

Participants in the program learn a variety of skills. This includes virtual workshops on resume writing and communication, along with hands-on training in areas like planting, soil management, tool care, and produce washing. Much of the practical learning happens at the nonprofit farm Growing to Give in Brunswick.

Jamie Pacheco, the Food Access Coordinator at Merrymeeting Food Council, emphasizes the importance of this program. “We’re filling a need for farm workers in our community. Our goal is to show that food system work can be a real career path,” she says.

Leah Duquette, a homeschooled high school student, participated last year. She had always enjoyed her family’s garden but was unsure about her future. “Farm Skills helped me to grow my love for gardening. Now I feel confident starting my own small farm business,” she shared.

The program started development in 2019, with a pilot year in 2022. It collaborates with several partners including Goodwill Workforce, Growing to Give, Midcoast Hunger Prevention, and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Initially, the program was intended solely for residents at Tedford Housing. However, it evolved into a community-wide initiative. Last year’s program had nine participants ranging from high school students to adults in their 60s, showcasing the diverse appeal of farming skills.

Kate Wallace, the farm skills training coordinator, emphasizes the importance of understanding the food system. “Teaching people how food grows and how to do it sustainably helps improve food security for families,” she said. This highlights the program’s dual role: empowering individuals while strengthening the local food community.

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