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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 M AY 2 7 , 2 0 1 9 F O C U S L E W I S T O N / A U B U R N & C E N T R A L M A I N E Bolduc says she hopes the final result will include a committee "that can make decisions, look at the long view." Both she and Levesque say there has been a positive outcome — the process has brought attention to agri- culture's role in the city. Bolduc says both sides "have a lot more in common than they realize." "We want a strong, sustainable local economy," she says. "We have to figure out how to get there." Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz senior editor, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz We welcome excellence in practice. Bernstein Shur is proud to welcome David LIttell as a Shareholder to the Energy and Environmental Practice Group in our Portland office. With 27 years in the industry, David is a respected national expert on energy and environmental regulation, market rules, and compliance. bernsteinshur.com/david-littell Planting the seeds for collaboration T he Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn hosted a half-day conference in March to "plant the seeds" for collaboration that supports farmland access, the food economy and other food projects. Partners were Cooperative Development Institute, Somali-Bantu Community Association, Androscoggin Land Trust, St. Mary's Nutrition Center, Maine Farmland Trust, Land for Good, Cultivating Community, Land in Common and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The challenges Julia Harper, coordinator of the Good Food Council, outlined challenges, oppor- tunities and goals to the group. Here is an abbreviated overview: Some 400,000 agricultural acres in Maine are expected to change hands in the next five years, as farmers and landowners age. The transfer of farmland has legal, financial and logistical complications. Less than 4% of Maine's land is prime agricultural; 1% is developed and 1% is conserved, leaving 2% for working farmland. Maine ranks 9th in the nation for food insecurity; local agriculture plays an important long-term role in mitigating that. Food and farming are often excluded from economic and community devel- opment strategies. Opportunities Farming is bringing younger people to Maine, 40% of farmers are 34 or younger and Maine is the only state with an increase in young and beginning farmers. A robust agriculture sector brings higher food security, with ripple effects of a healthier workforce and quality of life benefits that help grow population and tax base. Farmers are often engaged in their community, which is tied to an increase in work- force development; on many farms family members have jobs in the community. Tourists cite activities and food/beverage/culinary as Maine's top two draws. Agritourism combines the trends. New American farmers in Lewiston-Auburn are starting farms or seeking farm- land to buy or lease. Possible changes to Auburn's Agriculture and Natural Resource Protection Zone have potential to attract farmers and food entrepreneurs. Maine has more than 8,000 farms, with $3.8 billion in sales and 24,000 jobs. The demand for local food products continues to grow, and L-A can stake a claim. Legislators submitted nearly 30 bills this session related to supportive food and farm policy. Goals More working farmland in Auburn, Lewiston, surrounding towns. Increase in food and farm business economic development opportunities, including farm-friendly local policies and programs. Increased understanding of how land access/security is essential for whole- systems economic development (not relegated to a charitable cause). Land access sustainability for farmers/food producers. Increased engagement, collaboration between farmers, landowners, city officials, residents. S O U R C E : Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn

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