MADISON, Maine — How is it possible to grow tomatoes year-round on 42 acres in Madison, Maine?  What do potato farms and vodka have in common?  What do farms have to do with economic development?

Join MEREDA, Green Thumb Farms and Backyard Farms for breakfast 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Pineland Farms, for answers to these questions and many others, and learn about specific ways Maine’s agricultural industry is impacting economic development in Maine.

A discussion will be led on Maine’s agricultural industry and how these two examples positively impact the State’s economic development. Don Thibodeau at Green Thumb Farms and Jeff  McElroy at Backyard Farms will speak about the importance of innovation in the agricultural world, including out-of-the-box ideas on higher margin products, building of greenhouses, energy costs, and installation of LNG to save on fuel costs.  Both Green Thumb Farms and Backyard Farms have expanded their space and utilized new ideas for their businesses in recent years.

In addition to our speakers, you will witness an example of agricultural growth in Maine at Pineland Farms. Come see how Pineland has grown their farm buildings and business into cheese production, and wholesale and retail sales of produce and meats.  Tour the Market at Pineland Farms and enjoy the selection of fresh local foods, desserts, wine, local beers, produce and coffee.

Learn how all of these Farms continue to work to find interesting ways of adding value to their products to increase production and profitability.  Discover how MEREDA’s members can learn from these innovative techniques and how sustainable farms are critical to our local economy.