BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 26, 2024
Lobster, dairy and grain cooperatives have long been present in Maine, but a new crop of farmers is bringing collaborative business models to flowers, medicinal plants, online markets, compost and even farms themselves. Those involved in these types of businesses say they’ve seen an increased interest in many forms of group agricultural ventures as Maine’s farms get smaller but running them remains expensive and risky. Pooling resources gives farmers more time, saves them money and provides access to markets they couldn’t reach alone.