2024 Catherine L Damren Award

Hope Ricker was raised in a farming family and grew up helping her cousins show their Ayrshire cattle at the local fairs. She truly enjoyed being at Maine fairs as a child. As an adult, she became more involved with her local fair and the world of draft horses, eventually becoming the secretary of the Farmers Draft Horse, Mule and Pony Club. Outside of her hometown fair, Hope became the manager of the draft horse and steer shows at Topsham, Skowhegan, Windsor, Fryeburg and Litchfield fairs.

In 2006 Hope was elected to the MAAF  board of directors and rose quickly through the organization. She was elected MAAF president serving from 2012-2014 and worked tirelessly with Roger Hoffses and Katie Damren to grow the MAAF Scholarship program. Hope has also traveled to represent Maine and  participate in several IAFE conventions. Hope currently serves as the president of the MAAF Foundation, which has taken on the responsibilities of the MAAF scholarship program.  The Foundation provides educational opportunities to Maine fair youth and Maine agricultural fairs.  Hope was inducted into the Skowhegan Fair Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Congratulations to Hope Ricker, 2024 recipient of the Catherine L. Damren Distinguished Service Award.