Meet the 2023 MOFGA Russell Libby Agricultural Scholars

The MOFGA Russell Libby Agricultural Scholarships are $1,500 grants awarded in three categories: a high school senior planning to study sustainable agriculture, a teacher, school or education center with an agricultural program, and a MOFGA Journeyperson, past or present. Applicants in the last category are part of a two-year training program for beginning farmers.

Colleen Maker, middle with hat, with some of the WA garden community, L-R:, Ashley Kromer, student Virginia Austin, Gabby Brodek, Renee Patterson, student Anna Patterson and Regina Garbovac of Healthy Acadia taking the photo.

Colleen Maker, science teacher at Washington Academy, East Machias

When I started teaching at Washington Academy, I quickly became inspired by the students’ vision for our school garden — to combat food insecurity and donate produce to local food pantries.

While that class of leaders has graduated, the 4,000 SF garden has become the center of my curriculum and community. Students help with all aspects of the garden: planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting. We sometimes call it “garden therapy,” where we complete ecology projects, study nutrition, and work alongside other volunteers.

Between 2021 and 2022, we provided 3,900 pounds of fresh produce to local food pantries through our community partners, like Healthy Acadia’s Downeast Gleaning Initiative. It has been an honor to make connections with the people who run our local food system. Any recognition for the garden is for the whole team and our partners.

The scholarship will cover part of our annual budget. We plan to install an irrigation system in the solar-powered greenhouse, purchase seeds and manure from a local, organic farm, get gas cards for student transportation, and cover other costs that come up. We currently receive annual material donations from Tide Mill Organic Farm and Coast of Maine Organic Products. We have plans to grow, and are always looking for contributions.

2023 MOFGA Scholar Nickie Deschaine is attending Cornell University.

Student – Nickie Deschaine, Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School, ’23 and Cornell University, ’27

I am attending Cornell University to study agriculture science, and this scholarship helps fund my tuition. I plan to get my doctorate in farming and food systems/sustainable agriculture so that I can help farmers, especially farmers in my close-knit community in and around Mars Hill.

Living in a small town allows you the chance to form strong bonds with the people around you. I grew my interest in agriculture at FFA (Future Farmers of America), which my friends and mentors pushed me to try. FFA, and my two terms as Maine FFA State President, helped me develop my potential for leadership and career success through agricultural education. As part of FFA, I developed a Supervised Agricultural Experience working the potato harvest at LaJoie Growers.

School is going extremely well. There is a lot of support and opportunity in my major. The U.S. has a drastic need for agronomists. I anticipate that climate change will challenge our current technology and farming practices. If we focus on profit over the long term, incorporate stewardship of our nation’s land, air, and water, while also focusing on the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and their communities we can help ensure that we are being sustainable to combat crises.

Nicole Heker and Zoë Shwidock relax on their farm in a still from a promotional video.

Journeypeople – Nicole Heker and Zoë Shwidock, Wild Few Herb Farm in Arundel

We began Wild Few Herb Farm in 2021. It’s a ¾ acre that is organic certified, no-till. Our mission as Wild Few is to get high-quality, medicinal herbs to the people, to strengthen community resilience through education, and to do it all in celebration.

When Zoe and I first gained interest in herbalism, we struggled to find herbs in the States that were not imported by multinational companies and sourced from the wild. This profit-driven system encourages working folks to over-harvest and deplete their local resources. Growing our own herbs, in gardens or local farms, is more sustainable and helps connect us to these beautiful allies and their healing possibilities.

We currently offer retail and wholesale dried herbs and teas and a fresh, seasonal CSA. Seeing people reach for more herbs in their cooking, their teas, and other beverages, the medicine cabinet, and their skincare routine is a long-term impact we would like to see.

With these funds, we can subsidize pricing to increase accessibility, print educational materials to accompany our CSAs, invest in marketing to bring visitors to our farm, and provide materials in our workshops so that people can have a hands-on experience.