Board of Directors

Sherie Blumenthal

Sherie Blumenthal

St. Mary's Nutrition Center, Lewiston

Sherie Blumenthal has served as the Program Development Coordinator for  the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center (NC) since 2008. The NC comprehensively promotes healthy communities through advocacy and education programs in the areas of health, hunger and community nutrition, youth development, and urban agriculture. Sherie is responsible for new program development, support, and management with an emphasis on equitable food access programs including farmers’ market incentive programs, online buying club, and mobile market initiatives.  Sherie serves as the acting manager for the Lewiston Farmers’ Market, serves on the Board of the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Market (MFFM) and represents the NC as part of the Maine Local Food Access Network (MLFAN).

[email protected]
https://www.lewistonfarmersmarket.com/

Deirdre McGovern

Darkside Farm, coming soon, Carmel
Deirdre moved to Bangor after an eight year stint in the Midwest where she was a researcher in human-wildlife interactions in agriculture and lead contamination in garden soils.  Ask her about rats! In 2022, she was part of the MOFGA’s Apprenticeship Program working at Nettie Fox Farm in Newburgh, and in Summer 2023 she continued on as their market help at the Bangor Farmers’ Market.  She and her partner are currently in the process of starting their own small-scale orchard and seedling operation.

Lorelei Cimeno

Rainbow Farm, Orland

Lorilei (she/her) owns and operates Rainbow Farm in Orland, Maine with her husband Noah Cimeno. Rainbow Farm is a diversified farm that raises pastured poultry and Scottish Highland cattle, and grows MOFGA certified organic fruits and vegetables. Rainbow Farm participates in the Blue Hill Farmers’ Market, where Lorelei is the market manager. With the help of several community partners, Lorelei implemented SNAP acceptance and MHB to the Blue Hill Farmers’ Market. Rainbow Farm is also a member of the Bar Harbor Eden and Northeast Harbor Farmers’ Markets.


https://www.rainbowfarmsmaine.com/?fbclid=IwAR25D-vmG2FOPszU3aSaplbcIzQWWZTeNg7fLxygZfSIapzviRnXr4Mc_XM

Carl Costanzi

Western Maine Health, MFFM Treasurer

Carl Costanzi is a Community Health Program Manager for Healthy Oxford Hills at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. In that role he works in areas of nutrition access, diabetes prevention, substance use disorder, mental health care and community resilience. Carl also leads the boards of the Western Foothills Land Trust, the Bryant Pond Learning Center and Oxford County Cooperative Extension.

[email protected]

Eileen Flanagan

Junction Garden, Vassalboro

Eileen owns and operates Junction Garden with her husband John Cochrane. Junction Garden is a small-scale market farm that uses regenerative and organic farming practices, growing diversified vegetables, and natural dye plants while also raising laying hens, ducks, and sheep. The farm sells at several farmers markets in Maine, including the Downtown Waterville Farmers Market, where Eileen is the market manager. Prior to farming, Eileen had a 40-year career in community and economic development.

[email protected]
https://junctiongardenme.square.site/

Mark Guzzi

Peacemeal Farm, Dixmont, MFFM Board Vice Chair

Mark Guzzi owns and operates Peacemeal Farm in Dixmont with his partner, Marcia Ferry. They grow MOFGA Certified Organic vegetables for sale at farmers’ markets in Orono, Belfast, Camden, Waterville, Bangor and at their farm stand in Dixmont. Mark and his two daughters enjoying a snack on the back of the truck.

[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peacemeal-Farm/354089999252

Laura McCandlish

Independent Journalist/ Farmers' Market Enthusiast

Laura is a farmers’ market enthusiast and bridge-builder between her Bowdoin College community and the rest of Brunswick and beyond. A journalist who championed local farms and food in Oregon and Maine, Laura is a conduit who dabbles in PR, a “bespoke agent” who has sold a book and some houses. She loves to pitch and promote. On the board of The Maine Monitor journalism non-profit, Laura helps friends and clients navigate Maine’s media landscape.


Jenna Nelson

Tasteful Editing, Ellsworth, MFFM Board Secretary

Jenna is the owner of Tasteful Editing. She has specialized in editing cookbooks and food writing since 2009. She works with new and best-selling authors, and she edits manuscripts of all kinds—from Texas barbecue to vegan baking. Before moving to Maine, Jenna was a graduate student in women’s studies and an active volunteer with Atlanta-based nonprofits. She is a longtime farmers’ market shopper, and she believes in supporting local farms and promoting access to locally grown food. Jenna lives, works, and cooks in Ellsworth with her husband.

[email protected]

Deena Albert Parks

Chops Ahoy Farm

Deena comes to the MFFM Board as the Chairperson of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. She owns and operates Chops Ahoy Farm in Woodland with her husband Barrett and 3 kids. Deena wears many hats and has been a Certified Athletic Trainer for the past 25 years. She has also been a University professor, Pharmacy Tech, and does pediatric medical transcription currently. She recently leads a 4-H group and is the of the Maine Agri-Women.

[email protected]

Carolyn Snell

Snell Family Farm, Buxton, MFFM Board Chair

Carolyn is the Chair of the Portland Farmers’ Market Association and a fourth-generation, farmer at Snell Family Farm, which she runs with her parents John and Ramona Snell. Carolyn also runs Carolyn Snell Designs, a flower farm and floral design studio. Snell Family Farm grows cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, seedlings and perennials for sale at their farm stand and at the Portland Farmers’ Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

[email protected]
http://www.snellfamilyfarm.com

Ben Whatley

Whatley Farm, Topsham

Ben has farmed organic vegetables and seedlings with his family in Topsham since 2012. Ben is a former MOFGA apprentice and Journeyperson, and Whatley Farm has been certified organic by MOFGA since its founding. The majority of the farm’s produce is marketed at the Brunswick Farmers Market, Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers Market, and Brunswick Winter Market. Ben serves as the liaison for the Brunswick Farmers Market’s SNAP/MHB program, and works with the Merrymeeting Gleaners and Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program to support food access locally. Through organic plant sales, and donations to community and school gardens, Whatley Farm seeks to inspire new farmers and gardeners to grow.

[email protected]
http://whatleyfarm.com/