Maine's organic farming leader dies
Russell Libby, until recently the leader of the country's largest state-level organic farmers organization, based in Maine, died Sunday at the age of 56 following a long battle with cancer.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association grew to include 418 certified organic farms and processing operations in Maine during Libby's 17 years as executive director.
In 1995, Libby's first year at the organization, the state had just under 100 certified organic farms.
Libby held MOFGA's top spot until November when he became a senior policy advisor for the group that organizes and runs the annual Common Ground Fair in Unity, which attracts around 60,000 visitors.
According to a 2011 study by the organization, Maine's organic farms generate an annual $36.6 million in sales and support 1,600 jobs on 41,000 acres of farmland.
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