UMF Partnership for Civic Advancement, Franklin Savings Bank, UMF Sustainability Campus Coalition and Lillian Lake, Community Visionary have been sponsors of the festival. The Homestead Kitchen, Bar and Bakery have offered their facilities for planning sessions. 

 

This year instead of a parade, antique tractors will be on display on Academy Street. “Tent Talks” will feature such topics as wine making; fermentation; canning and preserving. The Franklin County Fiddlers will be providing music, as well as other musicians. There will be many farm vendors as well as other local food vendors and children’s activities. 

Lillian Lake, Community Visionary, reports farmers have experienced an increase in local sales with several expanding their offerings. A Farmer’s Forum was hosted to bring the community together with meeting their local farmer, with more forums planned. Farmington and surrounding communities have grown an interest in local foods. Since the first festival classes have expanded to include butter making and lard rendering, as well as canning and preserving. Local organizations have become more involved with expanding community gardens and school gardens. Students at local schools are learning more about growing their own food and UMF students have become actively involved in growing food; working for local food to be served at the university as well as involvement on Maine’s GMO labeling bill. 

Members of the committee are Sarah Marble (Marble’s Family Farms) ,Cynthia Stancioff, Dave Fuller (Maine Cooperative Extension), Katie Beach, Lauren Crosby, Liz Quigley, Jordan Nicole, and Paul Santamore.

Come celebrate local farmers and the opening of the summer season of the Sandy River Farmer’s Market!