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About Us

MAAF FOUNDATION

OUR MISSION

The MAAF Foundation is organized to establish and support educational, charitable and literacy activities in the advancement and improvement of agriculture science, fairs, expositions and shows.

OUR HISTORY

The MAAF Foundation was created in 2023 to continue the scholarship program previously run by the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs. MAAF Foundation grants at least two (2) $2000.00 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing postsecondary education in an agricultural-related field.

SCHOLARSHIPS
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NONPROFIT STATUS

MAAF Foundation is incorporated in the State of Maine as a non-profit, is recognized as exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and a Member of the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

MEET

Our BOARD

Board Photo Coming soon…

HOPE RICKER - President

Hope was raised in a farming family and enjoyed Fairs as a child, helping her cousins show their Ayrshire cattle at local fairs. As an adult, she became more involved with her local Fair and the Draft Horse World, becoming Secretary of the Farmers Draft Horse, Mule and Pony Club. Hope served in Officer and Board roles at her hometown Pittston Fair along with managing Draft Horse and Steer Shows at Topsham, Skowhegan, Windsor, Litchfield and Fryeburg Fairs, being inducted into the Skowhegan Fair Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2006 she was elected to the Board of the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs, serving as President in 2012-2014 with a special interest in the Scholarship Program. Hope has played a vital role in the formation of the MAAF Foundation and is excited to help it grow, providing educational opportunities to our Youth and Agricultural Fairs in the State of Maine. Hope has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 48 years, still continuing that work part time. She enjoys camping and supporting her grandchildren in their athletic and showing activities.

- Treasurer

TBD at next director Meeting

SARAH PERKINS - Secretary

Sarah Perkins, along with her husband Matt, owns and operates Ledgeway Farm where they raise registered Alpine dairy goats, using the milk to handcraft all-natural goat milk soap and other all natural products in Pittston Maine. Ledgeway Farm’s products can be found in storefronts across New England and shipped directly to consumers throughout the United States. You will also see them peddling their goat milk soaps at many Maine agricultural fairs throughout the summer and fall. Sarah is no stranger to the Maine fair circuit. After joining 4-H at 9 years old, she carried on the tradition of showing Ayrshire dairy cattle as her father and grandfather did, competing throughout Maine and at the Big E. She is as an active member of the Windsor Fair Association, serves on the Windsor Fair Agriculture Education Center Committee, the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs Nominating Committee, and the Board of Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs Foundation. She is passionate about Ag Education, and can often be seen doing Ag related demonstrations or talks throughout Maine. In her downtime, Sarah enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, or sneaking a quick cup of tea on the patio with a good book.

SADEE MEHUREN - Board Member

Sadee's involvement with Maine Agricultural Fairs began at age 9 when she started showing dairy cattle in 4-H. She quickly developed a passion for dairy shows and spent her childhood summers exhibiting her family's Holstein cattle at numerous fairs. After earning a degree in animal science from the University of Maine, Sadee pursued a career with the Maine 4-H program, where she currently coordinates 4-H animal science projects for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. In addition to her professional role, Sadee continues to raise show cattle with her family and maintains a small flock of Border Leicester sheep at her home in Montville. With a deep understanding of the positive impact Maine agricultural fairs have on youth, she is dedicated to supporting the next generation of agricultural professionals through her work with the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs Foundation.

JULIE ANN SMITH - Board Member

Julie Ann Smith was born and raised on an award-winning dairy farm in rural Maine and has worked throughout her career to support and defend agriculture. Julie Ann’s broad perspective and diverse professional experience have been instrumental in her successful efforts to protect the rights of Maine farmers and develop better support for them. Her recent role as a lobbyist for the Maine Farmers Coalition is a testament to her dedication to improving Maine’s agriculture policy. In this capacity, she represents farmers committed to growing Maine’s food system. Alongside her work with the Maine Farmers Coalition, Julie Ann also collaborates with Capitol Affiliates, lobbying on behalf of numerous business and industry clients. Throughout her career, Julie Ann has been honored to serve in volunteer positions with a wide range of organizations. These include the University of Maine Board of Agriculture, Agricultural Council of Maine (AgCOM), Facilitation Communication in Farm Families, Natural Resource Network, Age-Friendly State Advisory Committee, Agricultural Development Grant Advisory Committee, Governor’s Task Force on All-Terrain Vehicle Trail Initiatives, Furbearers Steering Committee, Maine Tree Growth Tax Law Study Committee, Maine Food Strategy Vibrant Communities Council, FocusMaine AG Advisory Team, Water Resources Planning Committee, Solar Agricultural Use Stakeholder Group, Animal Welfare Advisory Council, Agricultural Pesticide Use Stakeholder Group and Sunday Hunting Stakeholder Group. Julie Ann’s volunteer work reflects her broad range of interests and her commitment to community service. Julie Ann resides in Readfield, Maine with her son Eli. Her personal life is a testament to her commitment to the community, as she balances her professional responsibilities with the joys and challenges of motherhood.

PETER CONNELL - Board Member

Peter Connell is the Director of Government Affairs and Maine Real Estate for Ocean Properties. Ocean Properties is one of the largest hotel/resort operating groups in the country with well over 130 properties in its portfolio. He also founded the Imagine Corporation in 1983 which provides Real Estate Housing - Development Services and Consulting/Advocacy Representation. Prior to joining Ocean Properties, Pete owned Oxford Homes, a manufactured housing facility located in Oxford, Maine. In his position there, Pete was involved with all aspects of the home building process. He employed 150 Maine people and his company built over 8,000 homes in thirty years of manufacturing. In addition to being honored to being on the Board of the Maine Agricultural Fair Association Foundation, throughout his career, Pete has served in volunteer leadership positions with several professional associations and organizations, including: Maine State Chamber of Commerce; Long Creek Watershed Management District; Norway Savings Bank; Building Systems Councils of the National Association of Homebuilders; Modular Home Manufacturers of the Northeast; New Hampshire Manufactured and Modular Home Association, New England Manufactured Housing Association; Manufactured Housing Association of the Northeast; Maine Manufactured Housing Board; Maine Legislature’s Trade Policy Commission. Peter enjoys family activities, golf, running, biking, music, spectator sports, and politics. He resides in South Portland, Maine with his wife Karla

JESSICA BENNER - Board Member

Jessica Benner has been a part of agricultural fairs for most of her life. She has a passion for Beef Cattle and could be found at many fairs showing Chianina and Simmental cattle for her family farm. One of her greatest accomplishments was being awarded Grand Champion Market Steer at Fryeburg Fair in 2004. She now enjoys watching and helping her 2 daughters and 3 of her nieces show the beef cattle for McGee Farms. She became the Maine Strawberry Queen of Pittston Fair in 2004 at the age of 16. As she became an adult, she involved herself more each year with helping at Pittston Fair. Jessica and her husband Travis took charge of the mechanical events held at Pittston Fair. This included events like Truck pulls, Maine 4x4 Festival mud runs, demolition derby, etc. She has served on the Board of Directors of Pittston Fair for 6 years and has put her business degree to use and became the Fair Treasurer in 2022. Jessica was awarded the 2023 Rising Star Award at the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs conference. Jessica enjoys visiting Maine Fairs with her husband and daughters, working in the barn with cattle, and hiking with her youngest daughter.

SARAH LITTLEFIELD - Board Member

Born and raised in Maine, I was lucky to have parents who supported my enthusiam for cows by enrolling me in 4-H, making sure I had excellent mentors, and encouraging me to pursue a career in agriculture. After earning a degree in dairy science from Vermont Technical College, I built my career in the dairy industry by taking every opportunity to learn and work with the best people and cows in the world. Unintentionally, my Dairy career had many opportunities to build my ag education skills working on farms that were open to the public such as Billings Farm & Museum in Vermont and Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & Environment in Freeport. Being a lifelong exhibitor of cattle both at Maine Fairs and shows across the country also encouraged my ag education interests. In 2018, I was hired to promote and educate on behalf of Maine's Dairy Promotion Board and Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council. In 2019, I moved from Exhibiting animals in the barns to managing entries and competition results in the livestock office at Fryeburg Fair. As my involvement with the fair has grown so has my voice in the ag education that occurs around the grounds and encouraginh the reconition of the efforts exhibitors make in their interactions with fairgoers. My greatest joy is always at home as mom and in my time in the barn. When working on the farm with my partner, Peter Castonguay, and his family we care for 160 head of dairy cattle and manage around 500 acres of crops, pasture and forest.