Community Farming Program
The Community Farming Program began leasing farmland in 2014 and has since expanded its growing operations to three different locations in Lewiston, Auburn, and New Gloucester.
This program supports and assists 130 farmers by offering access to land, technical assistance, and culturally-appropriate on-site training.
Farming is an integral part of the Bantu’s cultural heritage and each farmer is adapting generations of agricultural knowledge to Maine’s unique landscape.
To assist with this transition, the program offers:
This program supports and assists 130 farmers by offering access to land, technical assistance, and culturally-appropriate on-site training.
Farming is an integral part of the Bantu’s cultural heritage and each farmer is adapting generations of agricultural knowledge to Maine’s unique landscape.
To assist with this transition, the program offers:
- Classes on farming techniques, vegetables not native to Africa, Maine climate, and soil conditions.
- Classes on cooking and nutrition to introduce our community to new vegetables, like broccoli.
- Classes sponsored by the USDA on hygiene and handling of food for market.
Photos by Jan Wilcox
In addition we provide on-site training, and we are working toward a senior lunch program to be sure that our elders are sharing nutritious food.
Last year we introduced a modest u-pick program for our Yarmouth neighbors, and this year we will be expanding that. We plan to distribute fresh fruit and vegetables to every member of our Bantu community this year, feeding a total of 2800 people! We have a Five-Year Plan for increasing acreage in cultivation annually and increasing our marketing to the broader community of Lewiston/Auburn.
Through a generous USDA/OADFR grant, we were able to build a "hoop house," which enables us to start seedlings early and to grow crops in the winter month.
And what do we grow? High-quality, chemical-free vegetables including speciality and rare varieties.
You can find our wholesale price and availability list in our brochure.
In the News:
"Food Charter Anniversary Celebrated at Whiting Farm," Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn, May 10, 2017.
"USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Awards $8.6 Million in Community Food Projects," USDA, September 30, 2016.
"New Mainers Establish Cooperative Farm in Lewiston," by Andy O'Brien, The Free Press, August 18, 2016.
"Growing Trust," a video about the Somali Bantu Farming Program by the Global Maine Collective, February 2016.
"Somali Bantu celebrate harvest," Sun Journal, Lewiston/Auburn, September 20, 2015
"Somali refugees find a farming oasis," Boston Globe, August 17, 2015.
"Somali transplants put down roots in Maine," Boston Globe, August 17, 2015.
"Non-profit helps families grow their own food," WGME, Lewiston, ME, June 7, 2015.
"Somali Farmers grow new life in Maine," WCSH, Portland, ME, June 6, 2015.
"Lewiston Somalis give new life to New Gloucester, Pownal farms," by Colins Ellis, Sun Media Wire, Lewiston/Auburn, ME, June 3, 2015.
"Somali farmers find a new home in Maine," by Laura McCandlish, Modern Farmer, Nov. 20, 2013
Last year we introduced a modest u-pick program for our Yarmouth neighbors, and this year we will be expanding that. We plan to distribute fresh fruit and vegetables to every member of our Bantu community this year, feeding a total of 2800 people! We have a Five-Year Plan for increasing acreage in cultivation annually and increasing our marketing to the broader community of Lewiston/Auburn.
Through a generous USDA/OADFR grant, we were able to build a "hoop house," which enables us to start seedlings early and to grow crops in the winter month.
And what do we grow? High-quality, chemical-free vegetables including speciality and rare varieties.
You can find our wholesale price and availability list in our brochure.
In the News:
"Food Charter Anniversary Celebrated at Whiting Farm," Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn, May 10, 2017.
"USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture Awards $8.6 Million in Community Food Projects," USDA, September 30, 2016.
"New Mainers Establish Cooperative Farm in Lewiston," by Andy O'Brien, The Free Press, August 18, 2016.
"Growing Trust," a video about the Somali Bantu Farming Program by the Global Maine Collective, February 2016.
"Somali Bantu celebrate harvest," Sun Journal, Lewiston/Auburn, September 20, 2015
"Somali refugees find a farming oasis," Boston Globe, August 17, 2015.
"Somali transplants put down roots in Maine," Boston Globe, August 17, 2015.
"Non-profit helps families grow their own food," WGME, Lewiston, ME, June 7, 2015.
"Somali Farmers grow new life in Maine," WCSH, Portland, ME, June 6, 2015.
"Lewiston Somalis give new life to New Gloucester, Pownal farms," by Colins Ellis, Sun Media Wire, Lewiston/Auburn, ME, June 3, 2015.
"Somali farmers find a new home in Maine," by Laura McCandlish, Modern Farmer, Nov. 20, 2013
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