Art captures rural life in photographs and poetry at a new exhibit in coastal Belfast, Maine. The Maine Farmland Trust is hosting the exhibit called "Rural Harvest" in its gallery at 97 Main Street.Photographer Lottie Hedley uses black and white imagery to capture the essence of farm life for Jim and Megan Gerritsen and their four children. The Gerritsens of Wood Prairie Farm in Bridgewater, Maine grow organic potatoes and other seed crops. "This work is about stewardship and the vulnerability of family farming," says Hedley. The photographer hopes to continue with a series of works on the future of family farming.
Hedley's photographs are accompanied by the words of poet Bob MacLaughlin, written just for this gallery showing. The work will be on view until May 30.
Maine Farmland Trust has partnered with residents to preserve more than 30,000 acres of farmland for future generations. The organization's goal is to preserve 100,000 acres by 2014. The Gerritsen family featured in the photographs is one of a few left who still farm potatoes in their part of Maine.