Early crops are for sale Thursday in the farm stand at Liberation Farms in Wales. The Somali Bantu farm is offering a farmshare program for individuals over the age of 55, who can enjoy an 8-week farm share of fresh produce from mid-July to mid-September. This program is funded by the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Abssir Bule, left, Ibrahim Abdi and Ibrahim Muhammad listen to a story Thursday told by Ahmend Barki during the Docada Beer Abuurka 2024 (Blessing and Celebration of the 2024 Growing Season). The four men are farmers and elders, and led the blessing later during the meal. Somali Bantu Family Farmers at the farm receive land, seeds, training and assistance. Commercial growers self-organize into Iskashito groups, a cooperative growing method where profits are shared equitably. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Theresa Oleksiw, left, Samantha Clock and Sarah Leary peek into a greenhouse Thursday at Liberation Farms in Wales. They joined a tour for the Seguinland Institute in Georgetown and came to the farm to help celebrate the Docada Beer Abuurka 2024 (Blessing and Celebration of the 2024 Growing Season). Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Amy Mailman, left, and Megan Gagne load up their plates Thursday at the Docada Beer Abuurka 2024 (Blessing and Celebration of the 2024 Growing Season) at Liberation Farms in Wales. Mailman and Gagne attended the event as representatives from the Good Shepard Food Bank, which partners with Liberation Farms to provide fresh vegetables to food banks in Maine. Liberation Farms empowers marginalized communities through self-organization and providing tools to grow healthy, culturally-appropriate food. This initiative is intended to ground farmers in their traditions as they build new lives in Maine. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Muhidin Libah thanks guests Thursday who attended the Docada Beer Abuurka 2024 (Blessing and Celebration of the 2024 Growing Season) at Liberation Farms in Wales. Libah is the executive director of the Somali Bantu Community Association and has been central to organizing the enterprise at Liberation Farms. Liberation Farms provides new American farmers with access to sustainable food production resources and ensures culturally appropriate means for farmers to support themselves, their families and their communities. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Over a hundred people attended the Docada Beer Abuurka 2024 (Blessing and Celebration of the 2024 Growing Season) on Thursday at Liberation Farms in Wales. Tours of the farm, a large meal and a blessing of the season were among the activities. Liberation Farms strives to create food justice by providing access to fresh, chemical-free produce. It enhances community building in the region and fosters intercultural and intergenerational learning of farming traditions. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal