August 28, 2026

Businesses, organizations, educators, and service providers are encouraged to get involved and shape Maine's annual agricultural gathering

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is inviting businesses, farms, agricultural organizations, educators, researchers, service providers, and others connected to Maine agriculture, food systems, and natural resources to express interest in participating in the 2027 Maine Agricultural Trades Show, scheduled for January 12-14, 2027.

The annual show brings together Maines agricultural community for three days of exhibits, education, professional development, networking, and conversations about the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture and food systems.

DACF is encouraging both returning participants and organizations that have not previously participated to explore ways to become involved.

Many Ways to Participate

The Agricultural Trades Show offers several ways for businesses and organizations to connect with attendees and contribute to the program, including:

• Exhibit booths for businesses and organizations offering agricultural services, supplies, tools, equipment, programs, and resources.
• Conference sessions for workshops, annual meetings, continuing education, research and development updates, and discussions focused on agriculture, food systems, and natural resources.
• The Maine Stage features approximately 40-minute programs designed for broad audience appeal, including farmer spotlights, demonstrations, interviews, and other presentations.
• Room rentals for focus groups, competitions, meetings, and other agriculture-focused activities.
• Sponsorship opportunities supporting show programming, hospitality, audiovisual services, and other activities.
• The Listening Post, which provides opportunities for volunteer-led business coaching, networking, listening sessions, and other activities.

Organizations with ideas, including those that do not fit neatly into any of these categories, are encouraged to submit their interests and connect with show organizers. Questions may be directed to acfagtradesshow@maine.gov.

New Participants and New Ideas Encouraged

The Agricultural Trades Show serves a diverse agricultural community, and DACF is particularly interested in broadening awareness of opportunities to participate.

Farms and producers, agricultural businesses, commodity organizations, food-system partners, educators, researchers, conservation and natural resource organizations, financial and business service providers, workforce development organizations, and others whose work supports Maine agriculture are encouraged to consider how they could contribute.

The interest form is the first step. Submitting the form allows potential participants to identify the opportunities that interest them and provides show organizers with contact information for follow-up as planning progresses.

The priority deadline is September 23, 2026, for early consideration of exhibit space, conference sessions, and room rentals. Initial selection status notifications are expected by October 1. Interest forms will continue to be accepted and reviewed throughout fall 2026, with waitlist requests accepted until the show.

About the Maine Agricultural Trades Show

The Maine Agricultural Trades Show is an annual gathering of Maines agricultural community hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The show connects farmers, producers, businesses, organizations, educators, service providers, and the public through exhibits, educational programming, networking, and opportunities to learn about Maine agriculture and the resources available to support it.

For more information contact: Jim Britt at: jim.britt@maine.gov