Connecting Local Resources With Local Needs Connecting local resources with local needs

Contact Information 1(207)694-8131 Mon. - Fri., 9 am- 5 pm EDT

Organizational Outreach

SFPP (Summer Fresh Produce Program):

Connects farmers, fields and families. Providing field fresh vegetables to Maine's elderly, working hungry and others in need of nutritional produce.

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OWH (Operation Wood Heat):
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HSC (Helping Senior Citizens):
Addressing needs seniors citizens face from time to time.

Some senior citizens lack nutritional vegetables, others are in need of winter firewood and occasionally there are those who do not have access to transportation. Friends of Aroostook is committed to assisting seniors in overcoming these unforeseen challenges the face.>>>

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Naturally Raised Crops

In our effort to provide large quantities of fresh produce for those in need we utilize many conventional farming practices while continuing to maintain a high level of respect and consideration for the environment.

During the spring months local farmer, David Winship Family Farms, prepares the soil for the Naturally Raised crops. This process begins with tilling fields that grew potatoes the previous year. We rotate to different fields on an annual basis to reduce insect infestation. Often we tell folks that potato bugs "don't like what we are growing".

Although this comment seems to be on the lighter side it is factual and we have very little if any need to use herbicides and pesticides on the crops grown. After tilling the soil the farmer uses his potato planter to row and fertilize the fields we plant. All fields are tested and the proper nutrients are added to the rows. It is essential to add synthetic fertilizers to the soil. This will allow us to harvest large quantities of produce and maintain a high level of quality in the vegetables. After the rows have been made we use mechanical seeders to plant the crops and the farmer will cultivate the fields as time allows.

Throughout the growing season our staff and area youth continue to hand weed the fields. Upon maturity the vegetables are hand harvested by volunteers and we employ many area youth to help with this process. I should note that we employed 31 youth and 9 adults during our 2010 growing season. In 2011 our goal is to encourage food pantry recipients and others to join us to hand harvest for those who often do not have access to fresh vegetables.

Organic Crops

During the summer of 2010 Friends of Aroostook developed a healthy partnership with Nature's Circle Farm.
Nature's Circle Farm is Aroostook's largest Organic farm and is a certified organic grower.

Their farming practices allow us to grow organic vegetables and give us the ability to provide healthy produce to our County and beyond. After the farmer adds proper organic fertilizers to the soil we rototill the ground and plant organic seeds. All crops are maintained throughout the summer by Friends of Aroostook staff and a great deal of caution is taken not to violate Nature's Circle Farm's farming practices. Also we rely on the farmer to give us valuable insight as to how to maintain the crops and what, if any, organic sprays to use. During the harvesting seasons FoA continues to utilize volunteers and paid help to hand harvest the crops that are delivered to those in need. One of our long-term goals is to connect with agencies and organizations that assist folks who are currently battling with health issues. Organic vegetables may very well be the most beneficial aspects of ones daily diet and speed their road to recovery. Our understanding of Organic farming practices is growing and this truly is a learning curve for one who has grown up in a typical rural America farming community.

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