Muhidin Libah, Director, Somali Bantu Community Association, Lewiston

“Farming is not easy, but it is rewarding. In fact, it is magic. You put a dry seed in the ground and soon it is food. The Earth is our foundation. It provides everything we need to survive, and we keep that close to our hearts. Farming is our cultural heritage—it brings the community together. Liberation Farms, our community farming program, started in 2014 with 20 growers and, through word of mouth, grew to 186 farmers this season. For us now, food security is the most important reason we farm. If we know how to grow food, we will send our children to bed nourished by fresh fruits and vegetables. In the future, we want to be farmers like we were back home—able to sustain our families through growing. Many of Maine’s farmers are aging and leaving the industry. We want to continue Maine’s important agricultural tradition.”

Muhidin Libah was born in Southern Somalia, grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp, and came to the United States in 2004. He has a degree from the University of Southern Maine and has co-founded multiple nonprofits including the Middle Juba Relief and Sustainability Organization, Somali Bantu Community Association of Syracuse, and Somali Bantu Community Association of Maine. He is a family man who just celebrated the birth of his 10th child.