Maine Coast Heritage Trust has completed its campaign for Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields preserves, two landmark preserves that have had a profound multi-generational impact on Midcoast Maine by providing food, recreation, youth programming, farmer support services, and public demonstration of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

The $4.4 million capital campaign for sustainable agriculture and community launched in May 2022 and was delayed due to building material shortages, unprecedented rises in construction costs, and delays in securing a contractor.

Despite the setbacks and additional funding needs along the way, the campaign ended successfully, MCHT said. In the final stretch of the campaign, interpretive signage, hardened accessible paths for walking, and a solar array were made possible thanks to hundreds of contributions of all sizes.

The multi-year capital campaign restores, modernizes, and increases accessibility to Aldermere Farm, a saltwater farm from the early 1800s that is home to the oldest continuously operated herd of Belted Galloway cattle in the United States. The campaign also supports nearby Erickson Fields Preserve, which employed a portion of the funds for a new open-air barn to support equipment, programing, gardening, and food distribution. Erickson Fields Preserve grows an average of 20,000 pounds of fresh food per year for local hunger relief efforts in the Midcoast community.

“This completed campaign enhances these farm preserves' ability to promote community-based regenerative agriculture as a key conservation strategy,” said Aaron Englander, Associate Director of Stewardship at Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields.

“It’s been nothing short of awe inspiring to witness the deep-rooted community support for Aldermere Farm and Erickson Fields preserves,” said David Warren, Planned Giving and Major Gifts Officer at MCHT, in the release. “Our hope was to connect community members in a shared effort to envision a meaningful future for these historic preserves. The passion for sustainable farming, local food, and community impact is made evident by our success, and we are deeply grateful and inspired by the convergence of people and passion for this project.”

On Saturday, May 4, Aldermere Farm will hold its annual Calf Unveiling Day, providing tours of the newly enhanced barnyard and a preview of the new accessible visitor center.

Staff and volunteers will open the doors to the public at 10 a.m. Visitors will get tours of the barnyard and have an opportunity to meet the Belted Galloway calves born this spring as well as the 4-H members and volunteers who care for the herd. MCHT staff and volunteers will share information about youth agriculture programs offered each year at Aldermere Farm and nearby Erickson Fields Preserve. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aldermere Farm, 20 Russell Avenue, Rockport, Maine.

About Maine Coast Heritage Trust

MCHT is a nonprofit land conservation organization with initiatives ranging from preserving coastal access for communities to high-impact ecological work focused on reconnecting waterways and improving coastal resiliency to climate change.

MCHT began on Mount Desert Island in 1970 and continues to serve as the local land trust for the MDI community with over two dozen preserves in the area. Since it began, MCHT has become a leader in Maine’s nationally renowned land conservation efforts and maintains a growing network of almost 150 coastal and island preserves coastwide—free and open to everyone. MCHT also leads the 80-member Maine Land Trust Network to ensure that land conservation provides benefits to all Maine communities. Get involved at www.mcht.org.