WINDSOR — Animals roamed a wide, fenced-in space Sunday at Anchor ME Farm in Windsor as Brian Cribb, who co-owns the farm with his wife, Cara, explained why their little goat, Bruclin, had a cast on her leg.
“Sometimes goats just scream because they’re lonely, like, ‘I’m alone!'” he said. “But it’s a little different when they’re hurt. And so we started to become connoisseurs, and we’re starting to be able to tell the difference.”
Brian Cribb said it appeared Bruclin had fallen off a small doghouse at just the right angle to break her leg. The Cribbs were able to put a splint on Bruclin’s leg and get her to a veterinarian. She is now recovering in a small enclosure as other goats keep her company.
Isaiah McMullen, 3, left, and sister, Samantha, 6, of Arkeo Farm roam the pen Sunday while feeding meat and dairy goats during Open Farm Day. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
With 39 ducks, 13 goats, 12 chickens and three dogs, it is clear there is never a dull moment at the Cribbs’ 7-acre farm, one of 108 farms that participated Sunday in Open Farm Day. The annual event, held the fourth Sunday in July, is organized by Real Maine, a program under the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that encourages Mainers to tour and learn more about the state’s many unique farms.
Cara Cribb refers to Anchor ME Farm as a “wellness farm,” where people are invited to relax with the animals and stop at the gluten-free bakery.
“The wellness part is because I invite people to do fun activities with the animals because it’s a stress reliever,” she said. “I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I could use a lot of stress-free activities in my life.”
Cara Cribb said the idea of stress relief via animals came about after she had a traumatic injury almost four years ago. In 2020, she and her husband bought the property and since then have been building, upgrading and maintaining the farm — and welcoming visitors.
Piper Lozefski, 8, offers her brother, Reid, 2, a sample of goat cheese on a cracker Sunday during Open Farm Day at Arkeo Farm in Sidney. Hannah McMullen, center, of Arkeo Farm prepares the next sample of cheese made from goat milk at the farm. The children toured the farm with their parents Russ and Sara Lozefski of Belgrade. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
By about noon Sunday, about 30 people had showed up at the Cribbs’ farm — many more than they had expected.
In Sidney, the McMullen family of Arkeo Farm participated for the first time Sunday in Open Farm Day, including selling meats, cheeses, fudge and caramel made with goat milk produced at their farm.
“People can come and see where their food comes from and see the animals,” said Andy McMullen, who owns the 11-acre property with his wife, Hannah. “We’re offering a bunch of samples of the goat cheese, or chèvre, which is a caramel sauce with goats milk, and fudge that we make with the goat milk. We have a few different products.”
The McMullens have lived at the Sidney farm for eight years, now housing around 30 goats, 30 hens and a variety of rabbits.
“(Raising goats) started as a hobby for us about 12 years ago,” Hannah McMullen said. “Then, we did more of the meat goats. We’ve always had dairy, but this is our second year selling dairy products. This farm basically has been a passion of ours.”
Reid Lozefski, 2, gets an up-close look Sunday at meat and dairy goats at Arkeo Farm in Sidney during Open Farm Day. Reid toured the farm with his sister, Piper, 8, and parents Russ and Sara of Belgrade. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
Visitors to Arkeo Farm on Sunday were able to feed the goats and try several dairy offerings. The McMullens sell their products at the farm and at the Boothbay Farmers’ Market.
Among the visitors, the Lozefski family is no stranger to Open Farm Day.
“We’ve been doing it for quite a while,” said Sara Lozefski of Belgrade. “We had hit up Misty Acres Alpaca Farm. When I took my two kids in May, the owners told us to come back around this time of year to see the baby goats and alpacas.”
Lozefski was there with her husband, Russ, and children Piper, 8, and Reid, 2.
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