BOWDOINHAM -- One of the largest organic farms in New England earned the praise of Maine's top government official Thursday.

Gov. John Baldacci praised Locally Known, which began operations earlier this month, for supplying greens such as arugula, baby kale and spinach to supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Hannaford's.

"Mainers have always known and appreciated the value of local farmers," Baldacci said. "And our farmers responding to consumer demand for high-quality produce."

Located along the shores of Merrymeeting Bay, Locally Known opened June 11 with a goal of providing the East Coast with readily available, regionally grown and organic produce, said Ben Dobson, who started the company with David Goldstein and Shimon Horowitz with equity partners Brook and Noah DeLorme.

The group hopes to support and establish regional organic farms by creating a market and regional distribution network, Dobson said.

The company is developing a training and apprenticeship program for new organic farmers, farmers looking to transition to organic practices and existing organic growers who would like to supply Locally Known.

Locally Known is working with Atlantic Organics, which, with 130 acres in Bowdoinham and Dresden, is the largest organic produce grower in the state.

"Ben Dobson and the other investors in Locally Known represent the true Maine entrepreneurial spirit," Baldacci said.

"They see an opportunity with increasing demand for organic foods grown regionally."