Real Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry celebrate the women shaping our state’s agriculture today and inspiring the next generation. We are proud that 2026 has been proclaimed as the Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine. Throughout the year, we have received dozens of nominations for women farmers, agricultural leaders, or young women making an impact to highlight. We have spotlighted, and will continue to spotlight, many of those nominated on social media. We have reached out to some of those who have been highlighted to hear a little more from them.
Sarah Lutte is a first-generation farmer, but she says her “parents always had green thumbs” and she “gardened a lot before selling anything.” She and her husband started the farm on a “very small” scale 10 years ago, and the farm has gradually grown. She worked for one season on a large vegetable farm, managing a seedling greenhouse, but she says, “everything else has been very much learning by doing.” She has also “leaned heavily on farming resources” through local and state organizations.
What have you learned from other women who work in agriculture?
My earliest mentor in the industry was Carolyn Snell of Snell Designs, and she was an amazing supporter and a wealth of knowledge as I was just getting started. I learned so many things – how to grow, pest and disease management, marketing, the whole gamut – from that mentorship. There have been many other women I’ve learned from, as flower farming does seem to lean more toward women than some other types of farming. Some learning has been very active, like that mentorship; other learning is more passive, like following seasoned farmers on social media or listening to speakers at conferences.
What is something people in Maine may not know about working in agriculture in the state?
Many people assume that because we live in a cold climate, our jobs screech to a full stop once frost hits. I often surprise folks when I share with them just how year-round farming in Maine is, even though we have a relatively short growing season. While folks have driven by greenhouses their whole lives, many have never actually stopped to think about how they work and the year-round growing abilities they provide. Not to mention all of the rest of the work that farmers do in the winter – given that many of us are not only head farmer at our farms, but also the head of HR, marketing, research and development, supply chain management, accounting, and more. That work often keeps us very busy in winter.
What does being a part of Maine’s food and agricultural system mean to you?
While our pork operation is a small part of our farm, I do think our flowers, while not food, are also part of Maine’s agricultural system. Being a part of a big ‘system’ sometimes feels irrelevant, as I really just think I’m one small farmer doing my own thing on my own farm. But when big news stories hit about the troubles in the US or global agricultural systems, it makes my role in the local food movement really elevated. I am providing products our customers can trust. And feel good about. And those are feelings that are harder to feel when we shop ‘big’.
What would you say, or what advice would you give, to a young woman aspiring to build a life/career in agriculture?
This is hard work. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, as Mother Nature is always the one in control, and flexibility is key. But the rewards will outweigh the blood, sweat, tears, and lack of control. People may not take you seriously at first, particularly if you’re a young woman, but over time, you will likely change some minds and earn the respect you deserve.
