Liberation Farms:
A Community Farming Program
An Overview
Liberation Farms is food justice in action. It is a demonstration of the success that is possible when marginalized communities have the opportunity to organize and lead themselves. It provides new American families struggling with food insecurity with the tools and resources to grow healthy, culturally-appropriate foods for themselves and their community. This investment in growing nourishes body and soul as farmers ground into familiar traditions and meaningfully utilize their agricultural roots as they build new homes here in Maine.
The mission of Liberation farms is to provide new American farmers access to, and culturally-appropriate resources for, the means of sustainable food production for themselves and their communities to bolster food and economic security.
The program goals are:
Family Farmers
The program assists 137 Somali Bantu Family Farmers by providing access to land, seeds, trainings, technical assistance, and marketing. All of the farmers receive 1/10 of an acre to grow food for themselves and their families.
Iskashito Farmers
Farmers that choose to grow commercially self-organize into iskashito groups. Iskashito is a traditional Somali method of cooperative growing where farmers work together on one piece of land and equitably share the profits of their combined labor and efforts. You can learn more about how to purchase from our iskashito farmers in the "Liberation Farms Wholesale" section below.
Learn more about the program by reading the Liberation Farms Case Study and viewing the slideshow below:
The mission of Liberation farms is to provide new American farmers access to, and culturally-appropriate resources for, the means of sustainable food production for themselves and their communities to bolster food and economic security.
The program goals are:
- Food Justice - Access to growing fresh, chemical-free, culturally-relevant produce for themselves and their families
- Community Building - Enhancing the economic, social, environmental, and cultural vibrancy and health of Lewiston, ME
- Education - Inter-cultural exchange and reciprocal learning
Family Farmers
The program assists 137 Somali Bantu Family Farmers by providing access to land, seeds, trainings, technical assistance, and marketing. All of the farmers receive 1/10 of an acre to grow food for themselves and their families.
Iskashito Farmers
Farmers that choose to grow commercially self-organize into iskashito groups. Iskashito is a traditional Somali method of cooperative growing where farmers work together on one piece of land and equitably share the profits of their combined labor and efforts. You can learn more about how to purchase from our iskashito farmers in the "Liberation Farms Wholesale" section below.
Learn more about the program by reading the Liberation Farms Case Study and viewing the slideshow below:
Liberation Farms Wholesale
Liberation Farms grows and distributes fresh, local produce to help build strong and healthy communities.
We are proud to offer high-quality, chemical-free vegetables, including specialty and rare varieties. This community-led program assists 137 new American farmers by offering access to land, seeds, trainings, and technical assistance. Farming is an integral part of the Bantu’s cultural heritage and each farmer has adapted generations of agricultural knowledge to Maine’s unique landscape. Each purchase from the CFP truly makes a difference in the lives of these hardworking New American farmers and their families.
Iskashito Farmers
All of the wholesale and farmers market produce is grown by our 'Iskashito Farmers' who self-organize into iskashito groups. Iskashito is a traditional Somali method of cooperative growing where farmers work together on one piece of land and equitably share the profits of their combined labor and efforts.
Delivery
Liberation Farms delivers produce Tuesday through Friday.
We ask that buyers try to meet a $100 order minimum for deliveries.
2018 Wholesale Price & Availability List
We are proud to offer high-quality, chemical-free vegetables, including specialty and rare varieties. This community-led program assists 137 new American farmers by offering access to land, seeds, trainings, and technical assistance. Farming is an integral part of the Bantu’s cultural heritage and each farmer has adapted generations of agricultural knowledge to Maine’s unique landscape. Each purchase from the CFP truly makes a difference in the lives of these hardworking New American farmers and their families.
Iskashito Farmers
All of the wholesale and farmers market produce is grown by our 'Iskashito Farmers' who self-organize into iskashito groups. Iskashito is a traditional Somali method of cooperative growing where farmers work together on one piece of land and equitably share the profits of their combined labor and efforts.
Delivery
Liberation Farms delivers produce Tuesday through Friday.
We ask that buyers try to meet a $100 order minimum for deliveries.
2018 Wholesale Price & Availability List
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Weekly Availability List
If you would like to be put on our weekly availability list that goes out every Thursday during the growing season, please contact Kristina Kalolo (kalolokristina@gmail.com).
Ordering
For inquiries, or to place an order, please contact:
Kristina Kalolo, Quality Control & Markets Manager
(860) 961-7058
kalolokristina@gmail.com
If you would like to be put on our weekly availability list that goes out every Thursday during the growing season, please contact Kristina Kalolo (kalolokristina@gmail.com).
Ordering
For inquiries, or to place an order, please contact:
Kristina Kalolo, Quality Control & Markets Manager
(860) 961-7058
kalolokristina@gmail.com
Liberation Farms In the News
"Harvest party celebrates food, culture in Auburn," by Amanda Cullen, Sun Journal, September 30, 2017.
"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
"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