The Maine Farms for the Future program is an economic development strategy targeting farms. Although commonly viewed as an industry without much future, Maine agriculture actually has enormous potential for growth. Some great opportunities lie in niche products or specialty marketing, new territory for many Maine farms. Other opportunities lie in simply honing existing skills, or making new investments in proven practices. This program supports those farms that are trying to innovate or improve.

The program responds directly to one of the primary needs within the farming community: specialized business assistance. Many small and medium-scale farmers have an idea for a new product, marketing strategy, or production improvements, but lack the resources to develop the idea into a viable business plan. FFF provides direct professional support on a farm-by-farm basis to help farmers analyze options and create a plan. FFF also places farmland acreage into temporary protection from development - which in some cases becomes a stepping stone for permanent protection. Quality farmland and viable farms are precious resources with great public benefit; these resources are lost forever when farmland is converted for residential or commercial development.

The program is modeled after Massachusetts' Farm Viability Enhancement Program, a highly successful initiative that has increased net annual income at participating farms by an average of $21,676. Massachusetts' officials attribute their success to the fact that business assistance is: 1) provided by people with extensive farming knowledge; and 2) individualized to each client farm's particular needs and opportunities. These hallmarks of success have been missing from many other attempts to enhance farm viability.

The program began in 2001 with pilot funds contributed by the State of Maine, SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education – a program of the USDA), and private funds raised by CEI. In 2003, the citizens of Maine voted to continue the program with a $2 million bond. The program has demonstrated enough success that in 2006 and 2007, the Maine State Legislature approved General Funds to continue the providing the valuable services of Farms for the Future.

Since inception of the program, 144 farms have received help towards the development of a business plan. Of those farms, 75 have completed their plan and received a grant to help them implement changes. Over 18,000 farmland acres have been protected from development through temporary agreements. Economic impact for participating farms is currently being tracked, and the result will be used to continually refine and evolve Farms for the Future to better meet the needs of Maine’s farms and communities.