Meet Your Farmers at the Lewiston Farmers' Market

The farmers at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market represent a remarkable diversity. Yet despite their differences, farmers like Hawa Ibrahim, Bob Packard, Esperanza Echeverria and Lots to Gardens come together at the farmers’ market to support their local economy and provide Lewiston residents with access to fresh, nutritious, locally-grown food.

Hawa Ibrahim

began gardening with the New American Sustainable Agriculture Project (NASAP) in 2005, and soon became the first Somali in Lewiston with her own farming business. Today, Hawa is a leader and mentor among the Somali farmers, and grows a variety of crops including greens, corn, and herbs that she sells at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market. Her son Issac follows his mother’s lead by producing cut flowers that he sells at his mother’s stand.

Bob Packard
farms with his wife Ella Mae on land owned by her family since 1853. Recently expanded to 291 acres, the Packard-Littlefield Farm provides farmland for the family’s farm, NASAP growers, and a local dairy. The land is in permanent easement, and includes preserved woodland, wetland, and river habitats. Bob Packard sells hay, flowers, and chemical-free vegetables at his farm stand and at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market.


Esperanza Echeverria
immigrated from Guatemala and has been gardening with the NASAP since 2002. She started her farm business in 2006 and now grows a variety of vegetables that she sells at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market. Esperanza serves the local Hispanic community by growing hard-to-find, culturally appropriate vegetables on her own farm. In 2006 Esperanza grew the biggest pumpkin on the NASAP farm.


Lots to Gardens
employs a Summer Youth Crew comprised of thirteen diverse teenagers from Lewiston and Auburn who are dedicated to the goal of increasing local access to fresh food. These young gardeners bike around Lewiston growing and harvesting vegetables and learning about nutrition, food systems, and hunger. Started in 1999, Lots to Gardens manages fifteen gardens and greenspaces in Lewiston. They are well loved at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market for their tasty cooking demonstrations.