Julie Smith
Advocacy Lead
Julie Ann Smith was born and raised on an award-winning dairy farm in rural Maine. Throughout her childhood and adolescent years, she worked on her family’s fourth-generation farm, developing a love of agriculture and a strong work ethic. After leaving the family farm to attend college, Julie Ann pursued her professional experience in Boston and Northern Colorado, working in the legal and educational fields. During her time in Colorado, she had the fortunate opportunity to be involved with a variety of agricultural experiences, including volunteering at several different agricultural-based businesses. Perhaps the most unique opportunity was her volunteer work with FoCo Cafe, a non-profit cafe that embraced a pay-what-you-can model to combat food insecurity while utilizing locally sourced food. Additionally, she worked with several urban CSA farms, learning about biodynamic and other methods of farming and the diverse possibilities of farm experiences, events, and education while helping with weekly harvesting. Her commitment to promoting the importance of farming and the relationship of farming to the local community led her to serve on a committee to create and fund a learning garden at a local elementary school. In addition to her work for other organizations, Julie Ann founded Creating Together, an arts education and advocacy non-profit focused on innovative programs to encourage the development of imagination and creative abilities for youth and adults. Her diverse work experience in agriculture, advocacy, education, and legal justice work eventually brought her back home to serve as an agricultural advocate.
Julie Ann’s broad perspective has helped her successfully protect the rights and develop better support for Maine farmers over the last ten years. Julie Ann has always had a passion for helping the community, and being able to help farmers with their trials and triumphs is her true calling.
Throughout her career, Julie Ann has been honored to serve in volunteer positions with several organizations, including: University of Maine Board of Agriculture, Agricultural Council of Maine (AgCOM), Facilitating Communication in Farm Families, Natural Resource Network, Age-Friendly State Advisory Committee, Agricultural Development Grant Advisory Committee, Governor’s Task Force on All-Terrain Vehicle Trail Initiatives, Furbearers Steering Committee, Maine Tree Growth Tax Law Study Committee, Maine Food Strategy Vibrant Communities Council, FocusMaine AG Advisory Team, Water Resources Planning Committee, Solar Agricultural Land Use Stakeholder Group, Animal Welfare Advisory Council, Agricultural Pesticide Use Stakeholder Group, and Sunday Hunting Stakeholder Group.
Julie Ann resides in the town of Readfield, Maine with her son Eli.
