Boothbay photographer Peter Felsenthal will be speaking and presenting slides from his recent book, "New Growth: A Portrait of Six Maine Organic Farms," at the FARMS Community Kitchen above the Rising Tide Community Market on Thursday, March 12 at 1 p.m. The event is co-hosted by the Maine Coast Book Shop.

By many accounts, farming is on the decline, but this close look at six organic farms in Maine tells a different story. Small groups of men and women are opting out of urban life and white-collar professions in favor of working the earth and raising families on a farm. They are building local community through food grown and raised in ways that give back to the land. They are using 21st century science to replenish the soil, while helping people in their local communities connect to the sources of their food.

In compelling photographs and prose, Felsenthal captures the farmers' spirit and voices, based on a year and a half of chronicling. His growing awareness of the increased interest in farming filled him with an abiding respect for the self-sustaining business managers and stewards of their land and animals. He captures the worries and joys of organic farming, the struggle and wonderment.

Through their own hard work and idealism, these pioneering farmers just might be leading us into a new age of local, organic food. Small organic farms like these are part of a countrywide movement that is changing the way we look at what we eat, and this book gives us an intimate view of the people and places behind this movement.The farms represented are: Goranson in Dresden, Six River in Bowdoinham, Balfour in Pittsfield, Fuzzy Udder Creamery and South Paw Farm in North Whitefield, Squire Tarbox on Westport Island, and Buckwheat Blossom in Wiscasset.

The FARMS Community Kitchen is located above the Rising Tide Community Market at 323 Main St in Damariscotta. Copies of Felsenthal's book will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Maine Coast Book Shop at 207-563-3207 and ask for Nicole.