Hello Priscilla

As you may know, I am a proud farmer's daughter... and today is National Agriculture Day.  The purpose of my note for you today is twofold... one, to bring awareness to the alarming rate we are losing our farmland, and two, to perhaps convince you to take action on a current issue that is threatening one beloved family farm here in Maine.  

While this may not be my usual style of communication—I typically focus on providing tools, resources, and information rather than standing on a political soapbox—this issue strikes at the core of who I am. Stewardship lies at the heart of my values, and staying silent on this matter would compromise my integrity.

Without farms, there would be no food, fiber, and vital products that maintain our strong economy.

The truth of the matter is, that Maine and American small farms are on the extinction list, and without community help and support, they will fade away. There are many threats to the viability of small family farms, including regulatory, legislative, and urban sprawl.

In the US alone, we have lost more than 31 million acres to urban expansion since 1982, and an additional 175 acres of farm and ranchland are lost every hour to make way for housing and other industries.

Every acre of farmland is crucial, and while it might seem like farmers could make do with less, each plot plays a vital role. Crop rotation, fulfilling livestock grazing needs, effective land management, wildlife preservation, and erosion control are all essential components of sustainable agriculture. 

Furthermore, open farmland, particularly when managed sustainably, serves as a vital carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, plants like crops and grasses capture CO2 and store it in their biomass and soil, playing a significant role in mitigating our climate crisis.

Conversely, according to estimates from the Maine Department of Transportation and other sources, a mile of highway in Maine can emit several thousand tons of carbon dioxide annually. Additionally, dark-colored asphalt absorbs solar radiation, contributing to the urban heat island effect, where paved surfaces retain heat and elevate local temperatures.

I implore you to reach out to your representatives and demand action to halt infrastructure projects that threaten our farmland. Let them know that preserving our agricultural heritage is not just an option but a necessity for the health and prosperity of our communities. Feel free to share this message with them.

If you are in the area of Gorham Maine, the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) is holding a public forum at the Gorham Municipal Center on March 25th from 4:30-6:30 pm.  Please come to have our voices heard. 

If the long commute has you stressed out, no worries - I've got you... my Pickups and Profits Podcast will be hitting the airwaves soon, and I'll keep you company on the ride. 

Thanks for spending time to read a topic I'm passionate about - 
Your Partner in Success, 
Priscilla

Here's some NEWS you can use!

Networking:

03.27.24 - March Tours & Pours w/ PROPEL – Turner Construction’s Maine Medical Center Project

03.28.24 - NOTE NEW DATE! Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine Meet-up - 5:30-7 pm - Cowbell, 185 US Rt 1, Scarborough - guest speaker: The AZEK Company RSVP

04.09.24 - Sebago Lakes Region Chamber Business Breaks - PeoplesChoice Loans, 824 Roosevelt Trail

Education:

Crew-U - Contact Blazing Trails Coaching to bring Crew-U to a classroom near you!

Check out the Educational Programs offered through the Associated General Contractors of Maine

Wisdom:

Ask ACE: What is a Beneficial Ownership Information Report?

Fence & Deck Podcast - How Quality Decks Drive Premier Deck's Sales Success!

Letting Go of Work-Life Balance: How to Manage a business, a home, a family and your sanity

Support: 

03.20.24 - 3 pm-5 pm - HBRAME Business Builders Advisory Group - FREE open meeting!

03.21.24 - 8:30 am-10:00 am How-To's: Your Family Businesses' Resiliency Depends on it's Structure - Institute for Family-Owned Business

03.24.24 - 10:30 am - 11:30 am How to Develop a Board of Advisors