In 2025, Maine is celebrating the Year of Youth in Agriculture, an initiative dedicated to inspiring and supporting the next generation of farmers, foresters, and agricultural leaders. Throughout the year, Real Maine will spotlight member farms and producers and their connection to youth in agriculture.
Martin Woods Farm, located in Starks, is a working farm that sells products in its farm store but also focuses on nature and agriculture-based learning through equestrian and agritourism activities, its Center for Human Ecology, and more. The farm has been in operation since 2017.
What does “youth in agriculture” mean to you?
Youth in agriculture means the future of farming, encouraging youth to grow in their understanding of a reproductive mindset. Our own son learned to love haying in the summer and learned how to work in the woods to support our heating system and our wood-fired maple syrup production.
Youth in agriculture also means learning the tools of trade, being outside, working towards sustainability, self-sufficiency, integrity, character, and hard work. Helping to ensure animals have food and water, plants have sun and water, other people are treated kindly, and the land is honored for all it provides. There are foods to harvest, plants to identify, and neighbors to assist. So much can be gained by being in nature, and it can become a way of life, as it is for our family.
Ways that the farm inspires and supports the next generation of farmers, foresters, and agricultural leaders:
In the summer of 2018, we offered our first summer camps for youth, which included time on a horse, time in the pool, and time engaged in nature-based learning. Since that time, we have been blessed with many youth volunteers who have since started careers in the field of agriculture. All volunteers and staff learn about work ethic through hands-on experience with animal husbandry, horticulture, and forestry.
We also have hosted school groups from both Somerset County and Franklin County for half-day visits to learn about agriculture and diversification. We rely on solar energy and wood-sourced heating, and raise pork, beef, poultry, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The University has an equestrian club that meets here weekly, and from this, we have hosted interns and hired two employees. Succession planning is integral to our operation in terms of supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.
