Leigh Hallett, GrowSmart Maine's next CEO

GROWSMART MAINE • May 5, 2026

Leigh Hallett has been selected to be the next CEO of GrowSmart Maine, with a start date of Monday, August 3. Her expertise includes nonprofit leadership, equitable resource deployment, agricultural and food system policy, and rural economic development. This combination of skills makes her exceptionally well-suited to advance GrowSmart Maine's mission of fostering vibrant, sustainable communities across the state. Leigh’s background includes directing resource programs for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, serving as a Public Information Officer for USDA Rural Development, and directing statewide nonprofits, including the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, and most recently, the Maine Trails Coalition.