Nettie P. Rowell of Cornville
by Dalton Landry and Lucas London
Farming in Maine has been a rough and rocky road. Almost four centuries ago, settlers from Europe began coming to the region that is now Maine. It was not easy being one of the first farmers in the 1800s because the soil was very rocky and the weather was harsh. The first means of power for a farm was ox power and that was very hard and it was slow. Later, horses were used to cultivate the soil and work the farm and eventually the gas engine took over the work. By 1820 there were more than 55,000 farmers and they were selling wheat, corn and potatoes in markets as far away as Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The real problem was getting the crops to market because the roads were seasonal and in very rough shape. In mud season it was particularly difficult.
harvesting wheat
Skowhegan History House
As the 1800s went on, the railroad opened up the Midwest to the major cities and produce from Maine was not in as much demand as it once was or all of a sudden Maine farmers had to compete with farmers in Ohio or Indiana. Those places had a better climate and more fertile soil to grow the same crops. The railroad therefore had a major impact on competition for Maine farmers. Because of all this competition, Maine farmers had to get together and make decisions about what the best thing to do would be. The Grange was established as a way to support farmers across the state. The Grange was very important to the farmers because it provided low cost insurance, had lobbying power, cooperative stores and educational programs. The first Grange was created in 1873 in Hampden Maine. The Grange connected the farmers and their families. It was both a political and a social institution. There were many family dinners and entertainments provided to the farming families.
Skowhegan Grange
Skowhegan History House
Maine lost many of its people at the turn of the century and there were 5,000 fewer farms in Maine in 1900 than there were in 1880! Many, many farms were abandoned as people went to find work in factories in cities across the country. The farmers who did stay in Maine were able to make the best of it. They figured out that they needed to grow crops that one would call “niche” markets like blueberries, sweet corn and low cost hay. Sweet corn from Maine was popular all across the nation.
Today farmers continue the challenge to survive. There are big farms called agribusinesses across the Midwest and they capture much of the market. Maine farms again try to focus on particular crops that not everyone is able to market. Maine blueberries still sell well and the maple syrup is exceptional. Many small farms are gone and that is the sad story indeed. Organic farming is becoming very popular in Maine and the organization MOFCA is thriving as it brings together small organic farmers who are trying to make a difference.
