About Us

The mission of the Division of the Agricultural Resource Development is to encourage agricultural development and sustainability through education, annual industry events, technical assistance, research, economic development and environmental stewardship of Maine’s existing and future farm businesses.

Meet the ARD Team

Michelle Webb - Director, Agricultural Resource Development Division

Michelle joined the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry in 2022 and oversees statewide programs benefitting farms, food producers, and the public, including marketing and promotion efforts such as the Real Maine marketing and agritourism program as supporting domestic and international trade opportunities. Other ARD programs include federally funded food assistance, farmland protection, technical assistance, grants, loans investing in innovation and farms, soil and water conservation support, and agricultural fairs assistance.

Before joining the DACF ARD team, Michelle served in marketing, finance, project and grant management, adjunct faculty, and resource development roles for nearly 25 years within the Maine Community College System. Michelle holds several undergraduate degrees focused on business management, education, and equine science. She earned a certificate of graduate study in public and nonprofit management and a master’s degree in policy, planning, and management from the University of Southern Maine, and is completing a doctorate in education from the University of New England.

Michelle resides in the Belgrade Lakes Region and has four children, two Labrador retrievers, and an orange tiger cat. She is also a registered Maine guide and enjoys photography, hiking, kayaking, and exploring and connecting with Maine’s farms, forests, and waters. 

Matt Boucher – State Soil Scientist

Matt is developing, managing, and directing the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s Healthy Soils Program, which promotes and supports the adoption of sustainable soil management practices through partnerships with leading agricultural organizations and unique financial and technical initiatives.

Matt has a Ph.D. in entomology from Cornell University and was a postdoctoral scholar at Penn State before becoming the Maine soil scientist in July 2022. Matt brings nearly a decade of experience researching and developing practical solutions to agricultural problems, contributing to projects that include designing sustainable pest and disease management programs, and refining cover crop management to maximize ecosystem services. His previous work includes research and education in tree fruit, small fruit, grapes, honeybees, and field crops/forages across the Northeast.

A Westbrook resident, Matt describes himself as a big hiker, having spent much time hiking in the White Mountains. He is also a biker and spends a lot of time on gravel trails. Matt is from Western Massachusetts and is an avid Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox, and deeply loves baseball.

Caitlyn Cooper – Environmental Licensing Supervisor

Caitlyn is drafting rules for solar energy developments proposed for construction on high-value agricultural land and will process the permits once the rules are established.

She obtained her bachelor's in environmental science from Indiana University and Master's in Environmental Management from Duke University before starting on her 6-year career as an environmental scientist for a consulting firm.

As an environmental consultant, Caitlyn helped permit more than 50+ solar farms across the eastern US, conducted hundreds of bird surveys, and worked on the New York Smart Solar Siting Scorecard in conjunction with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Agricultural Technical Working Group.

Caitlyn is passionate about wildlife, birding, nature, and gardening. She has surveyed crayfish in Indiana, lemurs in Madagascar, birds all over the Midwest, and endangered snake species in Maine. In her free time, you can find her walking her cat (on a leash, so she doesn't kill birds), tending to her raised garden bed, or practicing identifying native plants.

Jimmy Durda – Emergency Food Coordinator

Jimmy graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. After gaining corporate experience in purchasing, logistics, and shipping and receiving, he took an opportunity to serve via the Montana Conservation Corps.

Later transitioning to other nonprofits and forestry jobs with the US Department of Agriculture, Jimmy was thrilled to continue his service work as emergency food coordinator in Maine starting in summer 2021. He served as acting TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) director in Maine from fall 2021 until summer 2022.

Jimmy is passionate about cats, motorcycles, and serving his community.

Kayla Jones – Agricultural Promotional Coordinator

Kayla serves as the liaison between Maine DACF and Future Farmers of America (FFA), the Maine Agricultural Fair Association, fair committees, commodity groups, and stakeholders.

Kayla comes to DACF with over 20 years of experience in agriculture, including growing up on her family's beef cattle operation, exhibiting multiple species at the county, state, and national levels, serving as a local 4-H Advisor, working as a crop insurance specialist, and working in a farm equipment dealership.

Kayla, her husband, two children, and three dogs have relocated to western Maine from southwest Ohio. She is extremely passionate about the promotion of agriculture, helping farmers, and educating youth on agriculture. Kayla enjoys reading, photography, all things nature and animals, and keeping up with her kids.

Jane Kirsling – Contract/Grant Manager-Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program

Jane graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University and a master’s of public administration degree from DePaul University. She has almost 14 years of experience in advocacy, research, and business development. She has worked in project management, compliance, and business development roles in academics, non-profits, and small businesses.

Jane applies her diverse experience to the Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) and ARD agritourism efforts. Her primary work includes providing AIIP awardees with technical assistance, administration of the federal grant, and researching AIIP’s impact.

Jane resides in Searsmont with her partner, cat, and dog. She plays guitar and sings in the Searsport Shores Community Jam Band as well as BTR. She is currently on the comprehensive planning committee in Searsmont and volunteers at Peace Ridge Sanctuary. She loves wild swimming and hiking. 

Lucas Knowles – Agricultural Promotional Coordinator

Lucas supports the promotional work of the Division of Agricultural Resource Development. He also works directly with the Real Maine Program.

Lucas has over 20 years of experience in the communications field, previously working in journalism as a reporter and editor, and for a nonprofit state association.

He lives in Augusta with his wife and son. Lucas is a lover of music, collector of vinyl records, and has lost count of how many concerts he’s been to. He is an avid reader and big sports fan.

Elise Neidecker – Planning & Research Associate, RFSI Program

Elise supports the administration of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, a federal grant whose goal is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain in Maine. She assists awardees, analyzes the grant's impact, and contributes to the planning and development of future Department programs and resources.

Elise previously worked with the NH Food Alliance as a project manager on the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan, a highly collaborative endeavor to create a food system plan for the state. She earned her master's degree in agricultural sciences from the University of New Hampshire, where she researched farm viability in New England, small farmers' collaborative aggregation and marketing models, and values-based supply chains supporting small and mid-scale farms in the Northeast.

Elise lives with her partner in Portland, where she can be found baking sourdough bread, riding her bike, or hosting friends for a big meal.

Gus Nelson – Director, The Emergency Food Assistance Program

Gus manages The Emergency Food Assistance Program in Maine. TEFAP is a federal USDA program that the state administers through acquiring, storing, and distributing commodity foods. Additional food access programs Gus manages include the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and Maine Hunters for the Hungry.

Gus previously was program coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition and managed a food pantry. He was recently employed by a local area on aging, SeniorsPlus, as its community education supervisor.

Growing up in Camden gave Gus a deep appreciation for the natural world and how we interact with nature. He currently lives in Lisbon Falls with his wife and three children. On weekends you can find him splashing in the Sabattus River and looking for old pottery pieces, canoeing at Beaver Park, or hiking up Bradbury Mountain.

Brittany Peats – Local Foods Procurement Planning and Research Associate

Brittany works to increase the amount of local food that state institutions are purchasing, and to identify the challenges and potential in the farm-to-institution landscape and how the state can support the development of this sector.

Brittany has a master’s degree in food policy and applied nutrition from the Friedman School at Tufts University. She previously worked as a program manager at the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, a statewide food policy nonprofit. She did research, coordinated networks, and led policy advocacy campaigns around reducing food waste, increasing food system education in schools, and supporting local food policy councils. She also worked at Project Bread, the City of Boston’s Office of Food Initiatives, and Food Link.

Brittany lives with her partner and two young children in Portland, where they enjoy biking, riding the ferries, and making pizza.

Jessica Routhier – Contract/Grant Manager – Specialty Crop Block Grant, RFSI Programs

Jessica graduated from the University of Maine with a business degree and has spent the last decade working with nonprofits and state agencies assisting with federal grants.

Currently, she manages the Specialty Crop Block Grant and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Programs. Jessica applies her knowledge to assist awardees in navigating federal grants and contracts and administering federal grants.

Jessica lives in Winslow with her two cats and enjoys trying new baking recipes in her spare time.

Mariam Taleb—Farm Viability and Farmland Protection Specialist

Mariam works to support the vitality of Maine's farm businesses, and to ensure that Maine's farmland is protected and accessible to farmers today and in the future. She provides technical assistance to farmers in Maine, including holistic farm planning for beginning and established farmers, strategies for pivoting and diversifying businesses, farmland taxation, agricultural conservation easements, and more. Additionally, Mariam manages the Farms for the Future Program, the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, and Land for Maine's Future's Working Farmland Access and Protection Program.

Mariam previously worked as a crop production specialist and PFAS program manager at MOFGA. She has a Ph.D. in Entomology from The Pennsylvania State University, and a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Sustainable Food & Farming. She has conducted research in onion and cabbage production, invasive pests and their management, and biological invasion theory.

Mariam grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, but now lives in Westbrook with her partner and two cats. In her free time, she can be found dancing lindy hop, writing, or trying to learn yet another new craft.

Joanna Tarrazi – Manager, Maine Senior FarmShare Program

Joanna is the manager of the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, a USDA-funded program that provides eligible older adults, Native Americans, and disabled adults with a $50 share of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at no cost directly from Maine farmers.

Joanna earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In her previous role as the director of the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, she collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and worked to strengthen connections between farmers and consumers.

Joanna also spearheaded educational initiatives to empower youth to learn about and connect with nature. Additionally, she operated her own consulting business, where she assisted businesses and non-governmental organizations with capacity building, funding, and marketing initiatives for agrotechnology, community forestry, wildlife habitat, education, and humanitarian needs.

Joanna lives in Abbot with her husband and two cats and manages 35 acres for sustainable forestry. She is an avid gardener and cook. She also enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, paddleboarding, and swimming in the ocean. Joanna can often be found with her camera in her hand, capturing moments of natural beauty.