Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Maine Open Farm Day July 26th

www.GetRealMaine.com

Maine Open Farm Day -Sunday, July 26th 

A Maine tradition, farms will open their gates to the public this Sunday July 26th

Open Farm Day is an annual family event that connects consumers with the men and women who help produce their food. Farms throughout Maine will open their gates to offer the public an opportunity to learn about the business of agriculture. Many farms will have demonstrations, displays, farm-raised products for sale and animals and crops to experience. 

All across the State of Maine, close to 100 family farms will open their doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held each year, Open Farm Day is an opportunity for consumers to learn about Maine food producers and for farms to show the public their products.

From Governor Paul La Page "On behalf of Maine citizens, I thank our farmers and producers for their work bringing fresh and natural products to our tables every day," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "This is an exciting time for Maine-made products and Maine agriculture. The number of Maine farms is on the rise and so is the market value of our agricultural products. Since the last Census of Agriculture, the market value of Maine's agricultural products has increased 24%. At a time when the number of farms in the United States is declining, the number of Maine farms has increased to 8,174, up from 7,196 in 2002. This growth coincides with renewed consumer interest in locally grown foods." Read More


Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb urged families to "take advantage of this day to connect to life on the farm." "There is a story, even a lesson that surrounds all the food and other farm products that we grow right here in Maine," said Whitcomb. "While traveling to Maine farms on Open Farm Day, people will drive by hay fields, potato and grain fields, farm wood lots, orchards and large vegetable patches all growing crops that feed the economy before they fill dinner plates or supply other products that are important to our lives."

Activities may include barn and field tours, milking, hay rides, petting zoos, nature trails, beautiful scenery, samples for tasting and refreshments.
Events like Open Farm Day have an impact on the Agri-Tourism in the State of Maine.
According to the USDA, in 2012, AG Tourism & Recreational Services in Maine increased 78% (Increasing from $1,012,000 to $1,803,000) and participating farms increased by 141% (112 to 270 farms). 
Now is a great time for consumers to visit and support Maine's farms and be part of the growing support for locally grown foods. According to Gary Keough, New England Field Office State Statistician, National Agricultural Statistics Service, "the average size of a Maine farm is 178 acres, up seven percent since 2007. Organic production and aquaculture sales increased from the last Census and the value of aquaculture sales increased from $26.3 million to $75.1 million (ranking us eighth nationally); organic products increased from $23.3 million to $36.4 million." 

Participating Farms in York County Include:


Blueberry Hill Farm Keven & Darlene Ham 231 Blueberry Hill Farm Rd Acton, ME

OFD Activities: 10am-3pm We will have a variety of baked blueberry goodies to sample, free recipes too. You can pick your own blueberries; visit our mini’s (donkeys and horse) and the ladies, Crested Polish Hens. Directions: Located off Foxes Ridge Road in Acton near Acton/Lebanon town line- 5 miles from Rte 202 coming off road in Lebanon. 

Carpenter Christmas Tree Farm Hazen Carpenter Family 14 Hazen Drive Springvale, ME

*Participating in the Springvale Farm Walk* Christmas Tree Farm 
OFD Activities: 10am-3pm School tour 
Directions: Off Blanchard Road

Ewe and I Farm Jim & Deb Georgitis 286 Arundel Rd. Kennebunkport, ME

OFD Activities: 10am-3pm Ongoing spinning demonstrations. Other Demonstrations: 12pm: Bee Hive Demo, 2pm: Microgreens and how to grow them
Directions: Leave rt 1 at Arundel Antiques Log Cabin Rd to Goose Rock Rd. at 2.5 miles turn onto Arundles rd. Large sign at farm.

Frelsi Farm Elaine Clark 111 Watson Hill Rd Limerick, ME 

Sheep and Goat Farm, Garden, Chickens and Pigs 
OFD Activities: 10am-3pm Small family sheep farm with garden, berries and apple trees. Introduction to fleece and preparation, various chickens, eggs, plants and weed identification.


Frinklepod Farm Noah Wentworth & Flora Brown 244 Log Cabin Rd Arundel, ME

Mixed Vegetables and Flowers
OFD Activities: 10am-3pm We are a small, four acre operation focusing on growing chemical-free vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Our ducks and chickens provide pest control and entertainment. The farm store offers everything that we grow, as well as locally made products such as popsicles, bread, honey, and much more. Please see our website for our schedule of events on Open Farm Day: frinklepodfarm.org 
Directions: From Route 1 in Arundel (between Biddeford and Kennebunk), turn onto Log Cabin Rd. and travel just over a mile. Farm parking lot on right.  

Harris Farm Clint & Rachel Harris 262 Buzzell Rd Dayton, ME

Diversified Dairy, Vegetable and Beef Farm
OFD Activities: 11am-2pm Free informational hayride tours of the farm explaining our farm practices. "Lunch on the Land" buffet picnic lunch in back meadow featuring farm raised burgers, corn, milk, homemade salads and desserts. All proceeds to benefit Goodwins Mills United Methodist Church.
Directions: From South: North on Rt #35, travel 4.5 miles past intersection of #35 and #111 to Buzzell Rd on right. Farm is 1 mile on left. From North: South on Rt# 35, travel 1 mile past intersection of #35 and #5 to Buzzell rd. on left. Farm is 1 mile on left.

Long Plains Alpacas/Lana Plantae Yarns Marda MacDonald 301 Long Plains Rd Buxton, ME

Alpacas, Sheep, Plant Dyed Yarns
OFD Activities: 10am-3pm We are a fiber farm raising alpacas, sheep and using our wool to produce plant dyed yarns. Many of the dye knits are grown on the farm. Natural dye herbs, including indigo.
Directions: Rte. 22 Buxton 1 mile past post office on left. 

McDougal Orchard LLC. Ellen & Jack McAdary 201 Hanson Ridge Rd Springvale, ME

*Participating in the Springvale Farm Walk* Diversified Orchard 
OFD Activities: 9am-3pm On Open Farm Day, start your hike of the Springvale Farm Trail here. We're a seventh generation diversified family farm. We specialize in high-quality apples and other tree fruit and there's so much more! First, have some of Capt. Jack's famous apple cider doughnuts. Learn about our history and some interesting apple facts in the barn. Then, check out the farm animals, build a fairy house, and hike on down the Springvale Farm Trail to your next adventure!
Directions: From Rt. 109 Take Rt. 202 West 1/2 mile to Hanson Ridge rd.

Pamelamas LLC Pamela Drew 233 Limerick Rd Arundel, ME

Alpaca Fiber Farm
OFD Activities: 10am-3pm We maintain a herd of about 20 alpaca for their luxuriously soft, warm, light-weight fiber. General info on alpacas, their fiber and their health care will be available. Spinning and weaving demos. Farm store will be open. Yarns from our own alpacas spun at Maine fiber mills, and finished products such as socks, scarves, hat, gloves and mittens available for purchase. Refreshments available
Directions: From South: Take Rt 1 about 2 miles north of downtown Kennebunk, at light turn left onto Limerick rd. Farm is 1 mile on left. From North: Exit 32 Biddeford, take Rt 1 South about 3.5 miles to light, turn right onto Campground Rd. Go 1 mile to end of Campground Rd, turn left onto Limerich Rd. Farm is .8 mile on right 

Prospect Hill Winery Richard & Anita Carle 318 Orrills Hill Rd Lebanon, ME

Vineyard/Winery 
OFD Activities: 10am-5pm We will lead vineyard tours and host wine tasting. Visitors can learn about growing cold hardy grapes and wine making from harvest to bottle, including equipment display
Directions: Please check our website:http://www.prospecthillwines.com/ 

Rivard Farm Jerry & Theresa Rivard 110 Blanchard Rd Springvale, ME 

*Participating in the Springvale Farm Walk* PYO Blueberries and Raspberries, Highbush and Fresh Vegetables OFD Activities: 8am-6pm daily Family friendly PYO blueberries and raspberries; farm stand with fresh vegetables will be available for purchase. Berry juice and homemade treats.
Directions: Rte 111 to Rte 224 Springdale 11A to Top of hill, right on Hanson Ridge, approx. 3 miles, left on Blanchard rd., Left at fork, third driveway on the left. 

Sea Hill Farm Alpacas Paula & Wendy Ickeringill/Turner 621 Haley Road Kittery Point, ME 03905

OFD Activities: Full-time farm selling champion and Bolivian huacaya alpacas in all colors for breeding/fiber companions, plus fiber products. See alpacas, mini-donkeys, Shetland sheep and ducks. Watch demos. Learn about alpacas and their luxurious fiber in our new barn, rain or shine. Shop the area’s largest selection of alpaca socks/accessories, farm-grown fleece, roving, yarn and hand knit items. 

The Noon Family Sheep Farm Jean Noon 78 Sunsets Rd. Springvale, ME 

*Participating in the Springvale Farm Walk* Sheep Farm and Vegetables
OFD Activities: We are part of the Springvale Farm Trail Walk to promote agriculture, recreation and local food. Directions: First drive on left on Sunset Rd. 

FOR COMPLETE LIST OF PARTICIPATING FARMS VISIT

Other Links on the Open Farm Day:
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