Being a good citizen is personal– there is more than one way– and practicing citizenship is a great way to strengthen our local communities. Read on to learn more about how our MaineShare groups are practicing good citizenship and improving communities in Maine!
We are fast approaching MaineShare Workplace Giving season! Last year, we raised over $309,000 in pledges in our workplace giving campaign, which supports the growth and sustainability of the amazing work of our member groups! This year, our aim is even higher, as we add additional giving options to our campaign. Giving to MaineShare allows you to support your community in a way that is values-aligned and creates sustainable impact. Read on to learn more about Workplace Giving, and also to read about member news and events!
Last month, I had the pleasure of bringing my mom to a farm tour at Goronson Farm, sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust. Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) is a member-powered nonprofit land trust that is working to grow the future of farming so that farmers and our communities can thrive. MFT holds relationships with 550 Maine farms, and this number continues to grow. Goronson Farm became involved with MFT by participating in a Business of Farming workshop. MFT offers programs to help farms thrive, advocates for local, state, and federal policies and research to support farmers and farms, and provides opportunities for the greater public to learn about the farms that feed our communities and support our local economies.
Goronson Farm is a unique, small farm set in a suburban area of Scarborough, ME that grows flowers, produce, herbs, and raises livestock. They are a no-cull farm and grow unique and historically important fruit. For example, they are growing etrogs, a citron fruit that is used in traditional Jewish celebration. They also practice climate resilient farming, and help to educate other farmers on these practices and benefits. During our visit, we met their free-range crested ducks, heritage chickens, saw their orchards and flower gardens, and tasted ice cream and wine made with fruit grown on the farm. It was a wonderful experience to visit this special farm, and I left with deeper gratitude for the role of farms in Maine and the work MFT does to support our invaluable farmers.
By protecting farmland and supporting farmers, MFT helps to grow a network of local farms that can supply our state with reliable, accessible and fresh local food and products. If you want to engage with farms in your area and see all the ways that our farms provide vibrancy to our communities, check out the MFT Summer Farms Activity Map! And learn more about all their work at www.mainefarmlandtrust.org.
MaineShare is thrilled to announce the recent distribution of $140,089.18 to our member organizations– a total of $238,288.82 in 2023. This incredible financial support bolsters the work of our 38 member organizations and their significant contributions to the justice ecosystem in Maine. Please read on to see what your support makes possible in Maine!
Have you explored Viles Arboretum in Augusta lately? If you have never been, have not been recently (or even if you have!), it’s time to add this destination to your must-visit list. Viles Arboretum, a MaineShare member group, is a free botanical garden in Maine’s capital city. The beautiful site provides visitors with six miles of varied trails, recreational access, event space rentals, a visitor’s center with educational exhibits, and a multitude of events and activities. Recent events have included nature walks, basket making, foraging, and more. Viles is dedicated to environmental education, making outdoor recreation accessible, and fostering an appreciation for nature. In the summer, the grounds are full of local youth participating in their summer camps. (110 kids this year!) In the winter, the trails are available for seasonal sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And recently, Viles Arboretum unveiled a StoryWalk as part of its trails.
The Viles StoryWalk is a project aimed at local children, and came together through a partnership with Healthy Communities for the Capitol Area. This walk features 18 stations and the stories will rotate, featuring stories by Maine authors as well as stories focused on healthy habits. The StoryWalk is the first of other planned interactive spaces at the Arboretum, and Viles Executive Director Ryan Martin explained that “the StoryWalk® will serve as a gateway to imagination, sparking joy, and curiosity in the hearts of children as they explore the Arboretum.” Other projects in the works at Viles include a new community agriculture initiative serving food insecure families, innovative climate change research and education, and so much more. Learn more about everything going on here, and make a point to visit Viles Arboretum!
