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Here’s the data on Maine food companies lifting Maine’s economy!

At Farms by Amber, LLC, we’ve been deeply committed to growing both our products and services to better serve our community, partners, and customers. This quarter, we’ve applied for $500,000 in grants as part of our focus on scaling operations and laying the groundwork for the next three years of impactful growth. Our work is guided by the 4 C’s—Community, Capacity, Capability, and Capital—ensuring that every step we take adds value to the people, organizations, and markets we serve. From strengthening our local presence to building connections on a national and international scale, we remain focused on balancing purpose with profitability. Here’s what we’ve been working on: 1. Collaborating with institutions and community-based organizations that align with our values to expand sustainable food systems and workforce development programs. 2. Enhancing our capacity and capability through innovative practices, new infrastructure projects, and hands-on training opportunities. 3. Delivering fresh, nutrient-dense products while scaling our services to empower others through consulting, education, and business development. The accompanying picture reflects our commitment to being fully engaged—whether on the farm, in a training session, or at the intersection of Zoom Parkway and Teams Avenue. No matter the location, we are always working both on and in the business. With intentionality rooted in our core values, we strive to nourish the body, liberate the spirit, and fuel the soul. As we look ahead, we are energized by the partnerships we’re building and the impact we’re creating. To our community, partners, and supporters—thank you for believing in our vision. Together, we’re creating a brighter, more sustainable future. #StrategicGrowth #BusinessExpansion #SustainableAgriculture #LocalFoodSystems #CommunityPartnerships #WorkforceDevelopment

CULTIVATE Research | Citizen Engagement Library In the world of food-sharing activities, we know that fostering greater participation from citizens, policymakers, and organizations is key to building more resilient, sustainable food systems. From participatory budgeting and citizen assemblies to mobile kitchens and European-wide campaigns, there are endless ways to engage communities in shaping food systems and driving meaningful change. But here's the challenge: reliable, detailed information about these engagement mechanisms is often hard to find. That's where YOU come in! The CULTIVATE team is working to improve and expand the 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆, and they need your help to make it even more valuable for everyone. There are two ways you can contribute: 1️⃣ 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 They’ve created a survey to introduce you to the Library and gather your feedback on its current format and content. Your input will directly help them improve the Library and make it as useful and accessible as possible! 👉 Take the Survey: https://lnkd.in/eW4Y5btz 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱𝘁𝗵 If you have any questions about the survey or the Library, reach out to Ana-Maria at ana-maria.gatejel@wur.nl. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 & 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 Do you know of a tool or game that could enhance the Library? After completing the survey, you can: • Add an entry directly in the app using the “Add Tool” or “Add Game” feature, or • Email the description and link at ana-maria.gatejel@wur.nl. 💻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/ewzhrdbg Together, we can create a comprehensive resource that empowers communities and drives collaboration in food-sharing initiatives worldwide. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey! #CitizenEngagement #FoodSystems #CommunityBuilding #Sustainability #FoodSharing #ParticipatoryApproaches #CULTIVATE #CivicEngagement #GlobalCollaboration Ana-Maria Gătejel, Jessica Duncan 🟥, Oona Morrow

I recently had to give a motivational speech for my Oral Communication course, and I decided to talk about the life lessons in the existence of field, farmland, and forest. Firstly, I talked about life as a Field. Some of us live our lives like fields - comfy and familiar, but sometimes we get stuck in routines and forget to grow. Meanwhile, being comfortable isn't always enough to reach our goals. We need to be more like farmland - resilient, committed, and able to adapt to change. I then delved into how to become a farmland. Being like farmland means being ready to work hard, stay committed to our goals, and be flexible when things don't go as planned. It's about planting the seeds of our dreams and being patient as they grow. Meanwhile, we can be more than a farmland; we can strive to be a forest. The ultimate goal of every youth should be becoming like a forest - full of life, purpose, and impact. When we offer value to others, we attract people who support us and help us grow. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences can help us become the best versions of ourselves. Looking back on my speech, I'm reminded of how important it is to be intentional about our growth and development. Let's not settle for just being comfortable - let's aim to be like farmland, always ready to grow and adapt, and aspire to be like forests, making a positive impact on the world around us. Like I invited my audience to join me on the journey of growth and empowerment, I encourage you to also embrace change and become an extraordinary force for good in your community and beyond. #NatureInspired #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #EmbraceChange

Want to make a change in your community but don't know where to start? Five Trailblazers tell you how https://ab.co/48DbYpt In a broader context, the stories from the Heywire Trailblazers highlight the power of individual initiative and community engagement in driving change, which can be inspirational for those involved in Landcare or agricultural initiatives. These young leaders demonstrate how targeted, grassroots projects can address specific community needs, potentially offering valuable insights or models for Landcare NSW to consider in our own projects. By identifying local needs, leveraging unique solutions, and engaging with the community, these trailblazers show that impactful changes can begin with individual actions and grow to influence broader sectors, including agriculture and environmental management.

Want to make a change in your community but don't know where to start? Five Trailblazers tell you how https://ab.co/48DbYpt In a broader context, the stories from the Heywire Trailblazers highlight the power of individual initiative and community engagement in driving change, which can be inspirational for those involved in Landcare or agricultural initiatives. These young leaders demonstrate how targeted, grassroots projects can address specific community needs, potentially offering valuable insights or models for Landcare NSW to consider in our own projects. By identifying local needs, leveraging unique solutions, and engaging with the community, these trailblazers show that impactful changes can begin with individual actions and grow to influence broader sectors, including agriculture and environmental management.

When the Regener8 team isn’t saving businesses and the planet from e-waste, we have a cut-throat office bean growing competition 🫛😄 It’s definitely unusual, but the story behind it is that we used a superhero theme (like Superman, Batman, Hulk 🦸) to roll out our company vision and values. So of course we have a bona fide superhero squad - a group of 5 volunteers across our staff - who help ensure we live and breathe these values! One of the squad, Vusi, came up with a bean growing competition as a teamwork activity 😁🙌🫘 Each team was given the same materials: 1 pot, soil, 3 beans, and could only use items in the office to increase their chances of winning. Some masterminds found cotton wool in the first aid kit and used it to speed up the germination of their seeds! 🌱 With friendly, but fierce, weekly monitoring of the bean growth, Team Captain America was eventually declared the winning bean champions!🏅 BUT while they were growing, it was incredible to see our company values reflected in the simple growing and care of those humble sprouts: 💪 Contagious positivity and a can-do attitude  🌱 110% dedication and pride in our work  🙏 Responsibility and accountability 🌍 Teamwork and our love for the planet What’s a novel team building activity you’ve run with your staff? Let me know in the comments! 📩 #circulareconomy #techregeneration #companyculture – Regener8 Group is an electronics recommerce business that unlocks value in obsolete technology to drive economic benefit for South African businesses and consumers while saving the planet ♻️ Contact us to discuss how your company can join South Africa's circular economy 📩

As part of integrating Emiel's Food Forest into Earthself's business model we've conducted a review of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and how Earthself contributes to them. Previously all our services and programs aligned with four UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 3 Good Health and Wellbeing; 4 Quality Education; 12 Responsible Consumption and Production; 17 Partnership for the Goals. We were happy with that. Now, we're going to be contributing to an amazing 15 UN SDGs through taking on stewardship of Scotland's first community food forest. Everything except 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and 14: Life Below Water! We used to offer this as a service to clients but today it's just part of our onboarding process for each organisation we work with. As a Community Interest Company, it's written into our governance that we only work with organisations whose work aligns with these goals. So, it's even more meaningful that we can now explain just how much impact our work has the potential to make as we integrate the food forest into our business model and inspire others to optimise their impact too. If you're inspired to find out more about the work we're doing and how we can help you, get in touch! #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #naturepositive #foodforest Image: A picture of the 17 SDG icons

At Bloom Network, we are proud to be part of a dynamic community of over 30,000 people dedicated to addressing climate adaptation and repair, while also tackling the socioeconomic and cultural roots of environmental challenges. Our network is not just about connecting individuals—it’s about mobilizing a movement with real-world impact. Our community includes bioremediation experts working on innovative solutions such as using sunflowers to clean lead from soil, and addressing sites contaminated by nuclear testing, mining, and industrial spills. 💙 Leaders of Bloom’s local and bioregional hubs are transforming food systems by connecting local farmers, building markets, and establishing regional economies. These efforts are vital for creating sustainable food networks. Northeast Regional Bio-Economy Forum: Julie Davenson, Zbigniew Grabowski, Josephine Watson, and Magenta Ceiba have launched this forum to unite stakeholders across the Northeast bioregion, collaborating with Indigenous communities, farmers, researchers, policymakers, and food justice groups to drive meaningful change. Our San Francisco hub has contributed to initiatives like Decriminalize Nature and collaborated with organizations such as the Sustainable Economies Law Center. We’re also engaged with local food policy and civic organizers to advocate for systemic change. Our team is growing, and we’re excited to introduce Bloomers Without Borders, a dedicated marketing team focused on amplifying our message and expanding our reach. Bloom Network is more than a social network—it’s a full-featured platform geared toward mobilization and impact. Whether you're a bioremediation expert, a food systems leader, a policy advocate, or simply passionate about making a difference, there’s a place for you here. Join us in driving climate adaptation and repair, and connecting with a global network of changemakers. Together, we can build resilient communities and a sustainable future  https://lnkd.in/d259tX8v

🌍 The Rise of Economads Shepherds In a world where traditional work models are rapidly evolving, a new breed of professionals is emerging: "The Economads Shepherds". This innovative group is redefining what it means to work and live, blending mobility with a commitment to sustainability and community impact. What Are Economads Shepherds? Economads Shepherds are individuals who not only embrace a nomadic lifestyle but also take on the role of guiding and nurturing their communities. They actively engage in sustainable practices while leveraging technology to impact wherever they go positively. Some of the key drivers of the Economads Shepherd Movement: 1. Increased availability of technologies. 2. Rise in call for sustainability and environmental stewardship. 3. Increased community engagement initiatives. 4. Rising freedom and flexible work culture amongst others Read the full text on the rise of economads shepherds on click: https://lnkd.in/d5aZd6Dr #ChangingWorkPattern #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #Economads