Maine Open Farm Day organizers encourage the public to visit farms online beginning Sunday, July 26, to learn how to support Maine agriculture this summer, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
“Our interactions with agriculture will be different this summer than in years past, especially as many cherished fairs and outdoor events have canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, because farmers are very skilled at problem-solving and adapting to changes, many farms across Maine are more accessible than ever this growing season,” said Amanda Beal, Commissioner, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
The 31st annual Open Farm Day is one way to connect with area farmers. It will be presented as a virtual event, and kicks-off the fourth week in July. Visit: Maine.Gov/DACF/openfarmday and follow Real Maine at facebook.com/GetRealMaine/ for more information.
Using the Internet, farmers continue to share behind the scenes glimpses of their operations, and the work that goes into growing and producing farm products.
Open Farm Day organizers share the following tips to help support Maine farms and different ways to increase awareness of Maine agriculture this summer:
• Visit farm websites — subscribe to blogs, newsletters and podcasts.
• Follow Maine farms on social media, offer testimonials, and share posts with friends.
• Help keep farms and retail areas healthy — stay home if sick.
• Bring a cooler and ice to ensure food quality — no matter where you buy it.
• Travel safe — planting and harvest season means peak road usage by farmers and the public.
• Ask farmers how to enjoy their farm products year-round: special recipes, storage tips, etc.!
Supporting agricultural businesses that are open to the public (farm stores, stands, markets, U-Pick/Pick-Your-Own):
• Call ahead.
• Maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering.
• Use good hygiene before and after visit.
• Keep pets at home.
• Follow instructions and signage.
• Be prepared for pre-scheduled visits, curbside pickup, and drive by or drive-through services.
• Know that on-site access may be limited due to business logistics; each farm is different.
Supporting farms not typically open to the public:
• Ask farmers which consumer brands use their crops or raw materials.
• Ask farmers where you can buy their products.
• Seek brands that use or source raw materials or ingredients Maine.
• Enjoy agriculture’s working landscapes from a distance as you take the scenic routes.
The following farms welcome website visits, social media following and correspondence. Connect directly with a farm to learn how to support Maine agriculture.
ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY
Atwood Farm, Poland, kerryjatwood@yahoo.com, 617-223-1164, atwoodfarmbelties.com
Boothby’s Orchard and Farm, Livermore, boothbysorchard@gmail.com, 207-754-3500, boothbysorchard.com, facebook.com/BoothbysOrchard
Fresh Start Farms: Packard-Littlefield Farm, Portland, fsf@cultivatingcommunity.org, 207-761-4769
Hummingbird Farm, Turner, hummingbird@megalink.net, 207-224-8220, hummingbirdfarm.net, Facebook.com/Hummingbird-Farm-Greenhouse-283910121176
Nezinscot Farm, Turner, admin@nezinscotfarm.com, 207-225-3231
Old Crow Ranch, Durham, oldcrowranch@gmail.com, 207-329-8775, oldcrowranch.com, facebook.com/old.crow.ranch
Vista of Maine Vineyard & Cidery, Greene, vistatastingroom@gmail.com, 207-754-2527, hvistaofmaine.weebly.com, facebook.com/vistaofmainewine
Willows Awake Winery, Leeds, tony@willowsawake.com, 207-518-8076, facebook.com/willowsawake
AROOSTOOK COUNTY
Gallifreyan Farm, Houlton, info@gallifreyanfarm.com, 207-358-0306, gallifreyanfarm.com, facebook.com/GallifreyanFarm
McElwain’s Strawberry Farm, Caribou, fmcelwai@maine.rr.com, 207-498-8276, mcelwainstrawberryfarm.com, facebook.com/McElwains-Strawberry-Farm-197455013739163
Micmac Farms, Presque Isle, jpelkey@micmacfarms.com, 207-493-1269, micmacfarms.com, facebook.com/MicmacFarms
Cumberland, Alewive’s Brook Farm, Cape Elizabeth, Farmer@alewivesbrookfarm.com, 207-799-7743, alewivesbrookfarm.com, facebook.com/alewivesfarm
Braun’s Riverside Lavender Farm, LLC, Steep Falls, riversidelavender@gmail.com, 207-332-6502, Braun’s Riverside Lavender Farm, LLC, facebook.com/riversidelavender
Carrageen Suri Alpacas, Gray, carrageens@twc.com, 207-653-1144, carrageensurialpacas.com, facebook.com/CarrageenSuriAlpacasLlc/
Fresh Start Farms: Hurricane Valley Farm, Portland, fsf@cultivatingcommunity.org, 207-761-4769, facebook.com/Cultivating-Community-121633102232
Orchard Ridge Farm, Gorham, apples@orchardridge.farm, 207-239-0442, orchardridge.farm, facebook.com/OrchardRidgeFarm
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester, info@maineshakers.com, 207-926-4597, maineshakers.com, facebook.com/sabbathdaylakeshakervillage
Shadow Hill Farm, New Gloucester, shadowhillalpacas@gmail.com, 207-926-4438, shadowhillalpacas.com, facebook.com/ShadowHillFarm
Tir na nOg Farm, Pownal, suemackeral@gmail.com, 207-749-8321, mainecelt.weebly.com, facebook.com/Tir-na-nOg-Farm-206902146017514/
Underhill Fibers, Gorham, underhillfiber@yahoo.com, 207-756-0076, underhillfibers.com, facebook.com/underhillfibers
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Birds of a Feather Emu Farm, Farmington, cldwater1@beeline-online.net, 207-212-2679, facebook.com/Birds-Of-A-Feather-Emu-Farm-613816698769285/
Black Acres Farm, Wilton, blackacresbeef@gmail.com, 207-491-5443, facebook.com/blackacresbeef
HANCOCK COUNTY
Mountain Foot Farm, Dedham, mountainfootfarm@gmail.com, 207-949-3825, facebook.com/mountainfootfarm
Rabbit Hill, Stonington, cw@cherylwixsonskitchen.com, 207-367-5003, cherylwixsonskitchen.com, facebook.com/cherylwixsonskitchen
Seal Cove Farm, Lamoine, sales@mainegoatcheese.com, 207-667-7127, mainegoatcheese.com, facebook.com/Seal-Cove-Farm-312638705431063/
KENNEBEC COUNTY
Applewald Farm, Litchfield, applewaldfair@gmail.com, 207-268-9276, applewaldfarm.com, facebook.com/Applewald-Farm-123996690959766
Butting Heads Farm, Gardiner, buttingheadsfarm@yahoo.com, 207-462-1637, facebook.com/ButtingHeadsFarm
Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, Albion, hart2hartfarm@gmail.com, 207-437-2441, facebook.com/Hart2HartFarm
Misty Acres Alpaca Farm, Sidney, cllaliberte@roadrunner.com, 207-547-2268, mistyacresalpaca.com, facebook.com/MistyAcresAlpaca
Olde Haven Farm, Chelsea, pamela@oldehavenfarm.com, 207-620-4014, oldehavenfarm.com, facebook.com/Olde-Haven-Farm-486718751507214
The Maine Accent, Hallowell, maineaccent@myfairpoint.net, 207-622-5017, themaineaccent.com, facebook.com/The-Maine-Accent-107071032654298
Winterberry Farm, Belgrade, info@winterberryfarmstand.com, 207-649-3331, facebook.com/Winterberry-Farm-181657858615955
KNOX COUNTY
Appleton Creamery, Appleton, appletoncreamery@gmail.com, 207-785-4430, appletoncreamery.com, facebook.com/appleton.creamery
Brae Maple Farm, Union, Aasmith@tidewater.net, 207-785-4978
Herbal Revolution Farm + Apothecary, Union, info@herbalrev.com, 207-785-2099, herbalrev.com, facebook.com/herbalrevolution
ME Water Buffalo Co., Appleton, mewaterbuffaloco@gmail.com, 207-785-6493, mewaterbuffaloco.co
Regenerative Collective; Home of Victory Hemp, Victory Botanicals and Heart 2 Harvest, Union, Victoryhempco@gmail.com, 603-986-3506, victoryhemp.co, heart2harvest.net, facebook.com/victoryhemp, facebook.com/h2harvest
Seacolors Yarnery at Meadowcroft Farm, Washington, queen@getwool.com, 207-845-2587, getwool.com, facebook.com/GetWool
Terra Optima Farm, Appleton, cheryldenz5@gmail.com, 207-975-9834, facebook.com/TerraOptimaFarm
LINCOLN COUNTY
Beau Chemin Preservation Farm, Waldoboro, yupik@midcoast.com, 207-691-8164, BeauCheminPreservationFarm.com
Briggs Farm, Somerville, oconnell.alicia@gmail.com, 207-832-1230, briggsfarmmaine.com, facebook.com/briggsfarmmaine
Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm, Southport, capenewagenalpacas@gmail.com, 207-633-0416, capenewagenfarm.com, facebook.com/capenewagenfarm
East Forty Farm and Dairy, Waldoboro, Info@eastfortyfarm.com, 207-230-4318, Eastfortyfarm.com, facebook.com/eastfortyfarm
Morris Farm, Wiscasset, morrisfarmstore@gmail.com, 207-882-4080, morrisfarm.org, facebook.com/TheMorrisFarm
Odd Alewives Farm Brewery, Waldoboro, info@oddalewives.com, 207-790-8406, oddalewives.com, facebook.com/oddalewives
Sealyon Farm, Alna, mlyons@sealyonfarm.com, 443-924-0352, www.sealyonfarm.com, https://www.facebook.com/sealyonfarm/
TLC Fiber farm and Alpaca Rescue, Waldoboro, revvkev@gmail.com, 443-465-8106, TLCFiberfarm.com, facebook.com/tlcfiberfarm
OXFORD COUNTY
Bumpus Farm LLC, South Paris, haslett.micah@gmail.com, 207-831-9204, facebook.com/BumpusFarm
No View Farm, Inn & Bakery, Rumford, annettemarin@yahoo.com, 207-364-6300, facebook.com/NoViewFarmCOOP
The Friendly Ewe, Hartford, thefriendlyewe@gmail.com, 218-349-4076, thefriendlyewe.com, facebook.com/thefriendlyewe
Worth the Wait Farm, Denmark, worththewaitfarm@gmail.com, 207-890-3586, facebook.com/worththewaitfarm1
PENOBSCOT COUNTY
Casa Cattle Company, Corinna, casacattle@live.com, 207-249-2191, casacattle.com, facebook.com/Casacattle
Heartstone Farm, Charleston, dan@heartstonefarm.me, 207-424-0063, heartstonefarm.me, facebook.com/HeartstonefarmMaine
Prospect Hill Winery and Vineyard, Lebanon, info@prospecthillwines.com, 207-651-9335, prospecthillwines.com, facebook.com/ProspectHillWines
Treworgy Family Orchards, Levant, info@treworgyorchards.com, 207-884-8354, Treworgyorchards.com, facebook.com/trewfarm
PISCATAQUIS COUNTY
Ripley Farm, Dover Foxcroft, ripleyfarm@gmail.com, 207-564-0563, ripleyorganicfarm.com, facebook.com/RipleyFarm
Worcester’s Wild Blueberries, Orneville Township, lee.worcester@yahoo.com, 207-943-8804, wildblueberryproducts.com
SAGADAHOC COUNTY
Apple Creek Farm, Bowdoinham, info@applecreekfarm.me, 207-948-3022, applecreekfarm.me, facebook.com/applecreekfarm
Left Field Farm, Bowdoinham, sean@leftfieldmaine.com, 207-607-0400, leftfieldmaine.com
Maggie’s Farm at Mulberry Creek, Bowdoinham, mulberrycreekcsa@gmail.com, 812-489-1349, mulberrycreekcsa.com, facebook.com/MulberryCreekMaine
Rock Bottom Farm, Richmond, mel.hackett@gmail.com, 207-891-8022, hrockbottomfarm.net, facebook.com/rockbottomfarmcreamery
SOMERSET COUNTY
Bag End Suri Alpacas of Maine, LLC, Pittsfield, bagendsuris@gmail.com, 207-660-5276, bagendsuris.com, facebook.com/Bag-End-Suri-Alpacas-of-Maine-LLC-56821704137/?ref=bookmarks
Martin Woods Farm, Starks, martinwooodsfarmmaine@gmail.com, 207-696-3060, facebook.com/martinwoodsfarm
Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm, New Portland, runamukacres@gmail.com, 207-628-2118, facebook.com/RunamukAcres
Tessier Farm, Skowhegan, tessiers@tessiersfarm.com, 207-474-6380, tessiersfarm.com, facebook.com/TessiersFarm
The Apple Farm, Fairfield, mainecider@gmail.com, 207-453-7656, applefarm.us, facebook.com/TheAppleFarmME
WALDO COUNTY
Ellie’s Daylilies, Troy, elliesdaylilies@yahoo.com, 207-948-2101, elliesdaylilies.com, facebook.com/ElliesDaylilies
Many Hands Farm, Thorndike, dragonfly9indigo@gmail.com, 207-568-3261, manyhandsfarm.weebly.com, facebook.com/manyhandsfarm
Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm, LLC, Unity, nsalpacafarm@gmail.com, 207-356-2464, mainealpacaexperience.com, facebook.com/northernsolsticealpacafarm
Sunflower N’ Ewe Farm, Winterport, Sunflowernewefarm@gmail.com, 207-205-4664, etsy.com/shop/UpcycledCabin, facebook.com/theupcycledandwoolycabin
WASHIINGTON COUNTY
Itty Bitty Farm, Columbia Falls, ittybittyfarm@outlook.com, 207-266-9134, facebook.com/IBFMaine, facebook.com/IBFMaine
Tide Mill Organic Farm, Edmunds Township, eagle@maineiac.net, 207-733-4756, tidemillorganicfarm.com, facebook.com/Tide-Mill-Organic-Farm-90948820691
Welch Farm, Roque Bluffs, lhanscom1@gmail.com, 207-951-2437, welchfarm.com, facebook.com/WelchFarm/
YORK COUNTY
Blueberry Hill Farm, Acton, upickbhf@gmail.com, 207-457-1151, blueberryhillfarm.us, facebook.com/BlueberryHillFarmMaine
Diadem Flower Co., Springvale, diademflowerco@gmail.com, 207-200-7353, diademflowers.com, facebook.com/diademflowerco
Eastcoast Alpacas, Biddeford, mgmworrell@gmail.com, 207-590-5630, eastcoastalpacas.com, facebook.com/EastCoastAlpacas
Elf-Paca Meadows LLC, West Newfield, sue@elfslandscaping.com, 603-817-0356, elfpacameadows.com, facebook.com/Elf-Paca-Meadows-112882268767208
Ewe & I Farm, Kennebunkport, dgeorgitis@roadrunner.com, 207-468-1344, eweandifarm.com, facebook.com/eweandifarm
Frinklepod Farm, Arundel, frinklepodfarm@gmail.com, 207-289-5805, frinklepodfarm.com, facebook.com/frinklepodfarm
Joshua’s Easter Orchard Farm, Wells, mmather@maine.rr.com, 207-646-7177, joshuas.biz
Lana Plantae Farmed Yarns, Buxton, lpa@maine.rr.com, 207-710-9533, lanaplantae.com, facebook.com/lanaplantae
Leary Farm, Inc., Saco, learyfarmsaco@gmail.com, 207-807-2839, facebook.com/learyfarmsaco
McDougal Orchards LLC, Springvale, mcdorch@gwi.net, 207-324-5054, mcdougalorchards.com, facebook.com/McDougalOrchards
Moonset Farm, Porter, moonsetfarm@gmail.com, 207-329-6888, moonsetfarms.com, facebook.com/MoonsetFarm
November’s Harvest Farm, Limington, novembersharvestme@gmail.com, 207-591-9112, noharvest.wordpress.com, facebook.com/novembersharvest
Rivard Farm, Springvale, stucroftfarm@gmail.com, 207-324-5566, rivardfarm.wordpress.com, facebook.com/farmrivard
Spiller Farm, Wells, spillerfarm@maine.rr.com, 207-985-2575, spillerfarm.com, facebook.com/SpillerFarm
Unique Maine Farms, West Newfield, mqdoyle@gmail.com, 207-793-2759, uniquemainefarms.com
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
