Maine Senior FarmShare Program

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) receives a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund the Maine Senior FarmShare program. This program provides low-income seniors the chance to receive fresh vegetables, fruits and fresh cut herbs directly from Maine farmers during the growing season.

Information For Seniors
Information For Participating Farmers
Information For New Farmers

Information for Seniors

How and When to Sign Up

  • Seniors sign up directly with a participating farmer each year beginning in March.
    • To find participating farms in your area:
  • If you participated in a prior year, you are not automatically signed up the next year.
  • You may choose a different farm each year, however you may only sign up with one farm per year.
  • You are not officially signed up until you complete and sign an agreement with a farmer.
  • It is the senior's responsibility to contact a local farmer to sign up for participation in the program.

The total number of seniors who qualify for Senior FarmShare each year significantly outnumbers the number of FarmShares available in the program. Seniors will be put on a waiting list if the farm chosen has filled all of their FarmShares.

Please understand that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee you a FarmShare.

2019 Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program you must:

  • Be a Maine resident
  • 60 years old or older

-AND-

Meet the income guidelines below:

  • Maximum of $22,459/per year for a one-person household; or
  • Maximum of $30,451/per year for a two-person household

Eligibility guidelines are updated annually, if you need assistance determining your eligibility to participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, you can:

  • Call the Maine Senior FarmShare Program at 207-287-7526
  • Email SeniorFarmShare@maine.gov
  • Call the Area Agency on Aging by calling the ELDERS-1 toll-free number at 1-877-353-3771.

Seniors that qualify for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program may also qualify for other benefits.
For more information on other benefit opportunities:

Read the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement (PDF)

Recipes and Resources

The benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables are plentiful! For specific information on the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables and for recipes click on the links below:

Information for New Farmers

Opportunities for Farmers to Participate

  • Are you a Maine Farmer?
  • Do you grow one or more acres of mixed produce?
  • Can your farm offer a minimum of 5 different produce items over an 8-week period?

If you are interested in participating in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program, and you answered yes to these three questions, you may be eligible!

The Maine Senior FarmShare Program is full and no longer accepting new farmer applications for the 2019 season.

Participating Farmers

The Maine Senior FarmShare Program is now online!

Important Reminders for Farmers

  • Farmer Applications must be submitted in MOSSA by January 31
  • All participating farmers are required to complete the Maine Senior FarmShare Program Guideline Training every year prior to submitting the application.
  • Senior sign-up begins April 1.

Farmer Resources

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.