Maine communities have jumped on the band wagon to improve opportunities for farmers and farming, to support conservation efforts and to promote these initiatives. What are the numbers behind these efforts? How much does farmland, conservation and open space really cost us? How are communities and community members benefitting from these growth patterns?

• the economic value of conservation, farms and locally grown foods
• the costs and benefits of conservation
• the farm to table movement
• the small farm movement
• the balance between rural land and town centers
• do we have sprawl in Maine? How does it help or hurt our communities?

This workshop incudes hands-on, outdoor field work on parks, places and open spaces. The session also includes extensive networking time to share information, resources, experiences. This session is sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank, Maine Farmland Trust, Coastal Enterprises Inc., and others. Don't miss this important session. The $125 registration fee includes light breakfast, lunch, and all materials. Some scholarships are also available.