The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and its Certification Services formally recognized an employee labor union Friday.

Employees with the association and the certification service joined the Maine Service Employees Association, a statewide labor union that represents more than 13,000 employees and retirees of more than 20 businesses, according to its website.

Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, at her office in Portland in 2022. Alexander praised the union as a means of emphasizing worker voices. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Farm employees put together the union, MOFGA Workers United, and requested recognition in September. This week, the union was officially recognized, organizers said in a Friday statement.

Kaitlynn McGuire, database manager at the association and a union member, called unionization “an act of deep care for the organization.” She said it highlights the staff’s commitment to values like transparency, equity and sustainability.

“We strongly believe in the work we do and are excited to further strengthen MOFGA, uphold our organizational values through this work, and stand as an example for other nonprofits trying to live their values,” McGuire said in a statement.

Sarah Alexander, executive director of the association, praised the union as a means of emphasizing worker voices.

“Democracy and equity are central to our mission to transform our food system by supporting farmers, empowering people to feed their communities, and advocating for an organic future,” Alexander said in a statement. “We look forward to working with our employees to formalize our first contract and continue the impactful programming and services we provide for our agricultural community.”

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is the largest state organic group in the country, according to its website. It’s also the oldest, founded in 1971.

Though the union does not yet have a contract with the association, organizers hope to leverage it in pursuit of fair wages, improved benefits and more equitable employment terms for its members, they said.