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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 M AY 2 9 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S L O C A L LY G ROW N Out of 265 Somali Bantu farmers in Wales culti- vating 40 acres, around 70% are women, according to Muhidin Libah, the association's executive director who splits his time between the Lewiston office and chores in Wales. While 220 farmers grow crops for themselves, 45 work in self-selected groups of five that cultivate produce sold at the Suuq, or farmstand, and to wholesale and retail customers. ose cooperatives, like the ones led by Salat and Mohamed, function as independent businesses. Libah sees a lot of similarities between the Liberation Farms leaders and his mother, who at age 67 still tills the soil in Somalia. Once when he asked her why she still likes to farm, she replied, "It is the reason why I'm alive. I have to produce — feed animals, feed people," he recalls. "is is my journey in the world." While he admires her strength, one thing still bothers him when he pictures his parents' farm with groves of fruit trees bearing mangoes, peaches, coconuts, lemons and oranges: "It's the best piece of land I can imagine, but they are the poorest people in Somalia." Fortunately for Liberation Farms, there is plenty of demand for its produce, including farmers- market customers "who wait in line before we even show up," he says. 'Story of resilience and nurturing' Wholesale customers include Maine Grains, whose co-founder and president Amber Lambke says she feels "privileged" to buy Liberation Farms corn for her Skowhegan grist mill. She also sees herself as part of a cohort of women following in the footsteps of agricultural pioneers, from the Wabanaki to legendary outdoorswoman Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby. "e abundance of female farmers in Maine," Lambke says, "tells a story of resilience, nurturing and a desire to live close to the land in connection with community." Lambke also credits organic-farming pioneer U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, who has been in Congress since 2009 and serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Lambke cited her help in establishing a "transformative" apprenticeship pro- gram at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association that lures farmers to Maine. DISCOVER AN ENTIRE ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR YOUR SUCCESS. Nobody serves your ag credit needs like Farm Credit East. Farm Credit East was made in agriculture. It's all we do. So every product, every service and every person is dedicated to meeting your financial needs and growing your success. We know agriculture, we understand your business needs, and work to achieve your goals. Discover the difference at Farm Credit East. farmcrediteast.com 800.562.2235 Loans & Leases Financial Record-Keeping Payroll Services Profitability Consulting Tax Preparation & Planning Appraisals Estate Planning Beginning Farmer Programs C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » The abundance of female farmers in Maine tells a story of resilience, nurturing and a desire to live close to the land in connection with community. — Amber Lambke Maine Grains

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