Real Maine is an agriculture promotions program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) to promote Maine agricultural products through advertising, trades shows, technical assistance, and by providing branding tools and materials directly to producers.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is the State’s lead agency dealing with all aspects of the food system from the field to the table. The Department maintains a mission of fostering opportunities for the agricultural community and of promoting stewardship of Maine’s natural resources.
Maine farmers are the stewards of 1.25 million acres. The land provides the public benefits of open space and recreation. They are the cornerstone of food security for Maine people. The industry has a $1.2 billion impact on the Maine economy.
Learn more about DACF’s work by visiting the website.
The Real Maine Team
The Division of Agricultural Resource Development is responsible for developing and implementing programs and policies to ensure that agricultural businesses remain profitable and sustainable. Our programs, including Real Maine, focus on business development, market promotion, education and regulation to assure that agricultural practices are economically and environmentally sound. Meet the Real Maine staff who make it all happen!
Michelle Webb
Michelle Webb is the Director of the Agricultural Resource Development Division. She oversees statewide programs benefitting farms, food producers, and the public, including marketing and promotion efforts such as the Real Maine and agritourism branding program, as well as supporting domestic and international trade opportunities. Other ARD programs include federally funded food assistance, farmland protection, technical assistance, grants, loans investing in innovation and farms, soil and water conservation support, and agricultural fairs assistance.
Kayla Jones
Kayla Jones serves as the liaison between Maine DACF and Future Farmers of America (FFA), the Maine Agricultural Fair Association, fair committees, commodity groups, and stakeholders.
Kayla comes to DACF with over 20 years of experience in agriculture, including growing up on her family’s beef cattle operation, exhibiting multiple species at the county, state, and national levels, serving as a local 4-H Advisor, working as a crop insurance specialist, and working in a farm equipment dealership.
Kayla, her husband, two children, and three dogs have relocated to western Maine from southwest Ohio. She is extremely passionate about the promotion of agriculture, helping farmers, and educating youth on agriculture. Kayla enjoys reading, photography, all things nature and animals, and keeping up with her kids.
Lucas Knowles
Lucas Knowles supports the promotional work of the Division of Agricultural Resource Development. He also works directly with the Real Maine Program. He has over 20 years of experience in the communications field, previously working in journalism as a reporter and editor, and for a nonprofit state association. He lives in Augusta with his wife and son. He is a lover of music, a collector of vinyl records, and has lost count of how many concerts he’s been to. He is an avid reader and big sports fan.
