Staff & Employment

Jimmy Cesario-DeBiasi
Executive Director

Jimmy has led the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) since 2019. During his tenure, MFFM continues to grow their Maine Harvest Bucks program and provide innovative solutions to support the farmers’ market community through promotion, outreach, advocacy, education, and technical support. Prior to joining MFFM, Jimmy worked in development & volunteer organizing with a social services agency in Portland, Oregon. Before that, he worked with small community nonprofits doing garden education, food access, and community building programs. Since moving to Maine, Jimmy has lived in Belfast, Damariscotta, and now Freeport.

Jaime Berhanu
Development & Operations Coordinator

Jaime first started selling veggies at farmers’ markets in 2000 in Bellingham, Washington. After returning to Maine in 2006, she and her husband Andy and kids, operated Lalibela Farm, an organic veggie and tempeh farm in Bowdoinham, for 15 years. Jaime helped to start the SNAP Program at the Portland Farmers’ Market in 2011. She was a farm vendor at the market for 14 years, and served in various capacities for the market’s steering committee. Though no longer operating a farm, she continues to manage the PFM SNAP Program alongside her role at MFFM as the Development and Operations Coordinator. Still in gorgeous Bowdoinham, she is grateful to continue serving Maine farms and the Maine community through all the good food access and farm-focused work happening at PFM, MFFM, and beyond. With the kids now in college, you can find her supporting markets, eating tons of arugula, strawberries, and blueberries, and swimming every chance she gets during our precious Maine summers!

Kelsey Kobik
Communications & Special Projects

Kelsey works on communications, advocacy, and special projects for MFFM. She joined the staff in 2023 after serving two years on the MFFM Board of Directors. She has worked in Maine’s local food system since 2011, going from a produce buyer, to a field crew and farmers’ market employee at Goranson Farm, to now running her own farmers’ market business, Vesper Bread, and managing the Waterville Farmers’ Market. Along the way she built a professional farm photography business. Now she focuses on verbal and visual communication to promote understanding and support for our local food system.

Amber Eklund
Midcoast Regional Coordinator

Amber first began working with MFFM as the Rockland Info Booth manager where she enjoyed getting to know her local farmers and neighbors each week. In 2024 she took on the role of Midcoast Regional Coordinator. With this role she is excited to continue connecting with her Midcoast community and hopes to engage with more folks on the work MFFM does to support food access and keep the agricultural economy strong in Maine. Amber is passionate about maintaining access to fresh local food for all and loves to share meals and conversations that nourish the body and spirit with those around her.