Our Land: The Crown of Maine

About This Project

Director:

The Greenhorns

Total Running Time:

11:51

Origin:

Maine

Synopsis:

It all started in a family van hauling organic potatoes to Boston from the very northernmost point of New England, Aroostook County, known as the Crown O’ Maine. Marada and Leah Cook grew up taking turns in the passenger seat beside their dad, who recognized that the commodity game was unsustainable for both farmers and the land and had set out to build an alternative path to market for the diverse crops of his region. From this small family enterprise, Crown O’ Maine Organic Co-op has grown to link over 300 family farms to market and has become a key driver for regional food sovereignty. Marada and Leah made the business into a cooperative, and their growing team now oversees a small fleet of refrigerated trucks and vans, coordinated out of a beautiful brick factory building in Vassalboro. Their leadership and vision for appropriately-scaled infrastructure for Maine’s economy can be a model for the nation. Their operations have grown to include food processing as well– Leah is now head of Northern Girl, which washes, chops, and prepares fresh Maine vegetables for hospitals, institutions, food service, and wholesale distributors, reducing foodmiles and increasing cashflow for New England’s northernmost growers.

This film to be screened at:

9/08/18 – Waterfall Arts – Belfast, ME  (FB Event)
9/13/18 – Riverside Park Pavillion – Fort Kent, ME  (FB Event)
9/19/18 – Waterfront Park – Bath, ME  (FB Event)