Maine Ag_Autumn in Maine 2023

CELEBRATE 150 YEARS OF

WITH THE MAINE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEMBERS

PLUS TIPS FOR CELEBRATING AGRICULTURE THIS SEASON, AND SUGGESTED REAL MAINE MEMBERS TO EXPLORE!

Cheese made with milk from Maine dairies is a delicious food that pairs perfectly with seasonal finds like crisp Maine apples and craft beverages.

Honor the Hard Work of Maine's Farmers and Food Producers: Buy Maine

Products This Fall

Aswe welcome the fall season, it’s a great time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions made by Maine’s dedicated farmers and producers and call upon everyone to support Maine agriculture by buying locally produced goods!

Fall is a terrific time of the year to access the freshest and most nutritious produce by shopping at visiting farm stands, markets, and restaurants featuring Maine ingredients! Fill your plates with freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, cheese, meats, and more!

By buying Maine products this fall and year-round, we contribute to our hardworking farmers’ success and strengthen the state’s agricultural community. Let us all come together to celebrate the dedication and passion of those who support Maine agriculture and appreciate the bounty it provides us during this season and throughout the year.

Feeding the Future: The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Impactful Work

At Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) we are always excited to highlight Maine’s agricultural heritage and look for opportunities to do just that daily. Sometimes that means we also find ourselves in unique places , advocating for others to join us in this worthy mission!

 Recently, I had the honor of addressing attendees of a showing of the “Growing Wild” wild blueberry documentary, personally congratulating its Maine-based director, Jameson Smith. This beautifully produced film captures the essence of Maine’s iconic fruit and the hardworking farming families behind it. I also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with some of the farming families featured in the film, and others who came to celebrate along with them, and to share my appreciation for their hard work!

 Not long afterward, I was at the Blaine House in Augusta with Governor Mills and a host of dairy farmers and producers raising glasses of fresh Maine milk to launch June Dairy Month. In my remarks, I shared my appreciation for Maine dairy farmers, along with my gratitude for growing up in a dairy farm family, as well as dairy’s lasting impact and vital role in our lives.

 Many agricultural conversations later, I spent Maine Open Farm Day on the road visiting farms, including Chirp Creek Farm and Eli’s Homestead, who are joining forces to farm

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together in Lisbon, and Ten Apple Farm in Gray which is home to awesome people and great goats!

desserts. I also enjoyed participating in a Climate Smart Agriculture roundtable discussion with the U.S. Under Secretary Alexis Taylor, U.S. Ambassador Razdan Duggal, and Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality officials.

 This summer’s Wild Blueberry Weekend was also a special celebration—the event kicked off at the Blaine House with a gathering of blueberry farmers and processors. The weekend itself was filled with visits by our department staff to farms across the state. An extra special aspect of this year’s Wild Blueberry Weekend was the blueberry bus tour for legislators, organized and hosted by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. On board were DACF’s Policy and Community Engagement Director, Emily Horton, and Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director, Craig Lapine. They visited the Wyman’s processing plant in Deblois and the University of Maine Blueberry Hill Farm in Jonesboro, the nation’s only universitybased wild blueberry research facility. Day two of the tour started with a sunrise ceremony at Welch Farm performed by Hubert Francis, a member of the Mi’kmaq tribe of Big Cove, followed by visits to Lynch Hill Farm, Cherryfield Foods, and Copeland Hill Wild Blueberries.

 After the trade mission, an additional day was spent exploring the greenhouse industry in the Netherlands, featuring stops to observe indoor production, learn about emerging greenhouse technology, and wrapped up with a visit to a knowledge and innovation center for international greenhouse horticulture.

cally and globally this summer. Nancy spoke at the Maine Pomological Society’s 150th anniversary celebration, also attended by University of Maine President Jeanne FerriniMundy and President Daniel Malloy. Maine Pomological’s contributions have shaped agriculture in our state and impacted the industry beyond the state’s borders. Their commitment to innovation and research ensures Maine thrives in the agricultural landscape.

 My commitment to Maine agriculture extended beyond the state’s borders this spring and summer.

For example, DACF Natural Resource Markets & Economic Development Director Claire Hawkins and I traveled to The Netherlands to join a USDA-sponsored agricultural trade mission. We learned first-hand about Dutch, Scandinavian, and surrounding markets, observed U.S. products in the retail sector, and learned how U.S.grown ingredients are used in popular local dishes and

 Claire Hawkins, Bureau of Forestry Director, Maine State Forester Patty Cormier, and I traveled to Finland this summer as part of a delegation representing Maine’s forestry industry. The mission, a milestone event after years of collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, focused on the forest bioeconomy. It culminated in workshops on biobased forestry products, led by Director Hawkins, fostering bilateral discussions on forest policy. The trip facilitated learning about product innovation, sustainable economic strategies, and valuable exchanges with our Finnish counterparts and colleagues from Michigan and Washington.

 Nancy also participated in a USDA agricultural trade mission to Japan to highlight the significance of Maine’s export market. Japan has shown substantial interest in Maine’s wild blueberries and other products, including sparkling wild blueberry wine.

Finally, this summer, I was elected for a one-year term as President of the Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA). This role will culminate next summer in the opportunity for Maine to spotlight our diverse agricultural landscape, when we host all of the Northeast Departments of Agriculture for their annual meeting here in Maine. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our Northeast states collectively as we continue to foster collaboration within the region.

I was also re-elected as Board President of Food Export Northeast, which ensures Maine’s strong voice in promoting agricultural products beyond state lines. Food Export Northeast is a cooperative effort between Northeastern state agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

This is just a snapshot of the ways our team at DACF has been working to support and spotlight agriculture across the state and beyond, and we look forward to the many opportunities still ahead. In the meantime, we encourage you to check out our calendar at RealMaine. com to see what agriculture-related events are on the horizon, and we will be hoping to see you along the way so we can thank you for all you do to support our farmers and others central to our agricultural sector!

 DACF Deputy Commissioner Nancy McBrady, formerly Director of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, also promoted Maine’s agricultural products lo-

Amanda Beal, Commissioner Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Nikki Boxler | DFA farmer-owner

A Checklist of Autumn Activities to Celebrate Maine Agriculture

Tours, open houses, and ideas to make the most of agricultural happenings September, October and November.

SHOP THE SEASON wherever you find Maine products. Need suggestions for seasonal ingredients? Find ideas: RealMaine.com/whats-in-season.

SEE THE SCENERY. Farms across the state are preparing for the winter season. You may see people or machinery “chasing daylight” to complete harvests of fruits and vegetables and food for farm animals or tending to their cover-crops for healthy soil practices.

TASTE THE MAINE FLAVORS. Find local farm products as you meet the farmers and makers. There are many events, fairs and festivals happening this autumn.

MAINE APPLE SUNDAY is Sept. 17. Orchards across the state invite visitors to learn about Maine apples. Read more: maineapples.org/events.

EXPLORE MAINE CRAFT BEVERAGES including ciders and wine by exploring the Maine Wine Trail! Use the interactive map to guide your exploration of 29 member wineries! Read more: mainewinetrail.com/trail-map.

OPEN CREAMERY DAY is Oct. 8. Celebrate 20 years of supporting Maine cheese! Discover Maine cheese and the creameries that craft this delicious local food. Read more: mainecheeseguild.org.

LEARN ABOUT MAINE’S FIBERSHED. Get cozy and meet farmers, makers, and artisans displaying farm-raised fiber products. Learn more about Maine’s fibershed and available tours for educational insight: RealMaine.com/tag/fibershed.

MAINE MAPLE FALL FEST is Oct. 7-8. See the sugarbush and its vibrant colors and enjoy pure maple syrup during Maine Maple Fall Fest. Read more: mainemapleproducers.com/events.

MAINE HARVEST FESTIVAL is coming Nov. 18-19. Shop for yourself or find a gift that’s uniquely Maine. Read more: maineharvestfestival.com.

Celebrate Maine Farms and Products with a Real Maine Roadtrip!

It’s easy to search for farm products and experiences across Maine. Simply visit realmaine.com where you can search farms and more — or create a roadtrip of farms and businesses to explore. You can even share your itinerary with friends and family or on social media. And, if you’d like, you can print your customized trip plan to carry with you during your travels. Happy exploring! Visit

1. Visit RealMaine.com/itinerary

2. Select “View All Members” button to locate dozens of Real Maine members.

3. Narrow your choices – use any of these methods for easy filtering:

• Type keyword(s) or location in search fields. Optional: Select a distance. Click “Use My Location” for real-time location settings (requires location access on your browser or device).

• Click an icon for a pre-filtered assortment of business categories.

• Use the checkboxes to “Refine Your Search” by Activity (for example, PYO), Farm Products (for example, Fruit), Ways to Buy (for example, Retail, Farm Stand), etc. Locate “Refine Your Search” on the left side of a computer screen on a PC or the bottom of a mobile device screen.

4. Add a stop to your trip by clicking the add to my trip button on the member profile.

5. Click “View your trip” to see your curated list. You can adjust your list as desired.

6. Optional: Share with others, save or print.

APPLE FACTS FROM THE

Visit an Orchard for Maine Apple Sunday

Mark Your Calendar for September 17, 2023

TheMaine State Pomological Society will hold the 23rd annual Maine Apple Sunday on September 17, 2023 with participating orchards around the state. Maine Apple Sunday starts the peak of the apple harvest when summer apples are still available, but the main crop is ready for its first pick. Apple orchards from Wells to Caribou will celebrate by offering special activities at their orchards. For a list of additional orchards and more details go to MaineApples.org.

Check out these activities happening on Maine Apple Sunday!

Bailey’s Orchard in Whitefield will have apples available to buy in our barn and apples for you to pick in our orchard. We will be giving out free apple squares and have several apple prize drawings. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Boothby’s Orchard and Farm in Livermore. At the farm and orchard at 366 Boothby Road from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. we will be offering free wagon rides (weather permitting) to the pondside orchard, $5 wine tastings in the orchard, cheese and cider samples while they last, and easy, accessible apple picking! Meet the cows, walk the vineyard and enjoy the day with us.

Elwell Farm Orchard and Gallery in Monroe. Enjoy a self-guided tour of our working sheep farm, including free-range pigs and those big dogs who live and guard the animals. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day enjoying the nonspray orchards and the gallery with well-displayed, ready-to-hang paintings by regional artists. Free raffles, and a chance to own your own painting.

Small group rides throughout the day to search for the “bear” in the woods. Pig hollering with free drops to feed the pigs is always entertaining.

The orchard features a wide range of apple varieties, and the widest offering of both European and Asian pears you’ll find anywhere. Our own farm apple honey will be available while supplies last.

Hansel’s Orchard in North Yarmouth will celebrate Maine Apple Sunday with samples of some of our favorite recipes and a raffle for a peck of pick-your-own apples.

Kents Hill Orchard in Kents Hill will be celebrating Maine Apple Sunday with pick-your-own Macs and Honeycrisp apples and The Appleshed Bakery will be providing their famous apple cider donuts. Come enjoy the views of the western mountains. On Saturday, Sept. 16, we will be hosting the 2nd annual KHO Car Show to complete the whole weekend of festivities.

Libby & Son U-Picks in Limerick will have a surprise gift in the first 50 ½-bushel apple bags purchased! There will also be balloon characters, live music, and more!

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Bailey’s Orchard

255 North Hunts Meadow Rd., Whitefield www.maineapples.org/baileys-orchard

Berry Fruit Farm

375 Goding Road, Livermore www.berryfruitfarm.com

Boothby’s Orchard and Farm

366 Boothby Rd., Livermore www.boothbysorchard.com

Brackett Orchards

228 Sokokis Ave., Limington www.brackettorchard.com

Cayford Orchards

121 Hilton Hill Rd., Skowhegan www.cayfordorchards.com

Chick’s Apple and Berry Farm

58 Waugan Road, Monmouth www.chicksappleberry.com

Cooper Farms

27 Bethel Rd., West Paris facebook.com/cooper-farms-stand

Doles Orchard

187 Doles Ridge Road, Limington

Elwell Organic Orchard

50 Elwell Rd., Monroe

Five Fields Farm

720 So. Bridgton Rd., Bridgton www.fivefieldsski.com

Apple trees take from 2 to 10 years to produce their first fruit, depending on the variety and whether they are dwarf or fullsized trees

Gile’s Family Farm

139 Waterboro Rd, Alfred facebook.com/gilesfamilyfarm

Greenwood Orchards

129 E. Hebron Rd., Turner facebook/greenwoodorchards

Hansel’s Orchard

44 Sweetser Rd., North Yarmouth www.hanselsorchard.com

Hardy Farms Orchard

16 Beverage Road, Hope www.hardyfarms.com

Harvest Moon Farm

2243 US-202, Winthrop www.harvestmoonmaine.com

Hazel Hill Orchard

59 S Livermore Road, Turner www.hazelhillorchard.com

Hope Orchards 434 Camden Rd., Hope www.hopeorchard.com

Kelly Orchards

82 Sanborn Rd, Acton www.kellyorchards.com

Kent’s Hill Orchard

905 Sandy River Road, Mount Vernon www.kentshillorchard.com

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MAINE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

It takes about

36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider

Celebrating 150 Years of Maine Apple History

One of the common threads that ties together Maine’s history can be found in your local orchard. Apples have been grown for more than 400 years in our state, with trees first planted by explorers and settlers.

The Maine Pomological Society, made up of apple growers from throughout the state, has been in existence for 150 of those years and is celebrating that milestone as apple season is upon us.

“Maine has some of the oldest apple history in America,” said Todd Little-Siebold, a history professor at College of the Atlantic.

Little-Siebold said early apple varieties in the state had names such as pumpkin sweet, long John, and rusty coat. Some of the earliest orchards in Maine were found in locales such as Castine, Norridgewock, and Falmouth. Old Orchard Beach takes its name from a planting of trees that existed there.

From the 1770s to the 1830s, the primary product of Maine orchards was cider. The Temperance Movement, which encouraged practicing abstinence from alcohol and local, state, and national governments to prohibit alcohol outright, influenced cider consumption. Little-Siebold said Prohibition and the decline of cider markets forced apple growers to look for other sources of revenue, which led to an explosion of diversity among apple varieties and growth in the number of orchards in Maine.

In 1873, the Maine Pomological Society was incorporated and had its first meeting. Ziba A. Gilbert, the society’s first president, made the argument that fruit farmers in Maine should together, as a group, grow their footprint and business.

“What? Abandon these rocky highlands when ships lie at our wharfs ready to transport the fruits of our orchards, which no other section can produce in such perfection?” said Gilbert.

The years 1880 to 1920 saw a boom in exports of apples from Maine, especially to England and the United Kingdom, to where millions of apples from our state were transported. At a meeting of the Maine

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Apples in barrels. PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Most apple trees are propagated by bud grafting, a technique that joins two plants into one. Since apples do not come true-to-type from seed, and do not readily form roots on cuttings, they are grafted onto easy-toroot stocks that serve as the root system.

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At McDougal Orchards in Sanford you can join us to pick your own apples and raspberries, go on a wagon ride around the orchard, enjoy a bucket-full of hot cider donuts and explore Fairy Village. We will be donating 10% of all u-pick apple sales from Maine Apple Sunday to the Sanford Backpack Program. This program sends local kids in need home for the weekend with a “backpack full of nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to ensure they can maintain a balanced diet and return to school on Monday ready to focus on learning.” Join us on Maine Apple Sunday to enjoy a day at the orchard while helping us give back to the community that has supported our family farm for generations! For more information, visit sanfordstrong.org/programs/sanfordbackpackprogram.

Mullis Orchards in Corinna will be participating on Maine Apple Sunday with our farm stand open at 270 Dexter Road in Corinna, and our PYO open at 128 Shaker Road, Corinna.We will have apple sampling, free gift basket raffles, and lots of special surprises for our customers that day.

North Star Orchards in Madison is a family farm for family fun! Pick your own apples and enjoy spectacular views of the western Maine mountains from our picnic area. Visit our restored 1800’s farmhouse and shop for freshly picked apples and a unique variety of specialty foods and home accessories. On Maine Apple Sunday, sample our own apple topping on ice cream. We look forward to seeing you!

Ricker Hill in Turner will have u-pick apples and farm activities, corn maze, and a special on carbonated sweet cider, plus a craft fair, Shut Up and Eat It food truck, and from 12-1 p.m. enjoy the Steve Corning Kids Show.

Romac Orchards in Acton. For Maine Apple Sunday, besides the PYO, the corn maze, disc golf course, and free hay rides, we will have “Mr. Drew and His Animals Too” from 1-3 p.m. at Romac Orchards.

Sparrowhawk Orchard in Bethel. Join us on Maine Apple Sunday for our annual Golden Apple Hunt. “Golden Apples” will be hidden around the orchard with prizes available to those with a sharp eye who discover one. For the younger crowd, we’ll have helpful hints on where to look!

Spiller Farm . Farmer Bill will do farm tour wagon rides at 2 and 3 p.m. and have a stop near the cows, calves, and a bull. We will have fresh corn on the cob, our Model A will be on display, our picnic/play area will have a cornstalk teepee, picnic tables, retired farm tractor for pictures, corn hole game, goats and roosters to see, and a small, red, covered bridge to a sand pile all for kids. Maine Apple Sunday hours will be 1-5 p.m. Spillers’ Farm Store will have cider donuts, sandwiches, pizza, and drinks. Parking will be at our apple and pumpkin sales area on Spiller Farm Lane. More information will be at www.spillerfarm.com.

Sweetser’s Apple Barrel and Orchards LLC in Cumberland will participate in Maine Apple Sunday 2023, featuring our family recipe samples of fresh Apple Crisp, hot spiced cider, and cold, fresh cider. Sweetser’s Apple Barrel is known for a wide selection of apples including many heirloom varieties. In addition to apples, Sweetser’s offers delicious cider donuts, fresh apple pies, pastries, and fruit preserves. The farmstand is open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Apple Farm in Fairfield will have wagon rides, apple picking, and fiddle music.

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Lemieux’s Orchard LLC

210 Priest Hill Rd., Vassalboro facebook/LemieuxOrchard

Libby & Sons U-Picks

86 Sawyer Mountain Rd, Limerick www.libbysonupicks.com

McDougal Orchards LLC

201 Hanson Ridge Rd., Springvale www.mcdougalorchards.com

McElwain’s Strawberry Farm

711 Sweden St., Caribou www.mcelwainstrawberryfarm.com

Morrison Hill Orchard

272 Morrison Hill Rd., Farmington www.MorrisonHillorchard.com

MSAD #1 Ed. Farm

79 Blake St, Suite #3, Presque Isle www.sad1.org/school farm

Mullis Orchard

270 Dexter Rd, Corinna facebook/mullis-orchards

North Star Orchards

97 Orchard Rd., Madison www.northstarorchards.me

Pleasant Pond Orchard

430 Brunswick Road, Richmond www.pleasantpondorchard.com

Randall Orchard

Box 145, Standish facebook/randall-orchards

Ricker Hill Orchards

PO Box 202, Turner www.rickerhill.com

Rocky Ridge Orchard

38 Rocky Ridge Lane, Bowdoin www.rockyridgeorchard.com

Romac Orchard

Rowe Orchards

39 Palmer Road, Newport www.roweorchards.com

School House Farm

1171 Atlantic Hwy., Warren facebook/schoolhousefarm

Snell Family Farm, Inc

1000 River Road, Buxton www.snellfamilyfarm.com

Sparrowhawk Orchard

684 Grover Hill Road, Bethel

Spiller Farm

85 Spiller Farm Lane, Wells www.spillerfarm.com

Stukas Farm

144 Ferry Rd., Lewiston facebook/stukasfarm

Sullivan’s Orchard

356 Puddle Dock Rd., Charleston facebook/sullivans-orchard

Sweetser’s Apple Barrel

15 Blanchard Rd., Cumberland www.maineapple.com

The Apple Farm

104 Back Road, Fairfield

APPLE FACTS FROM THE MAINE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

McIntosh is the most grown apple variety in New England

There are well over 100 varieties of apples currently grown in Maine, but most farms grow 20 to 30 varieties

P.O.Box 266, Acton • Facebook/pick your own at Romac Orchards

The Lion’s Farm

230 Main St., Corinth

The Orchards at Chase Farms

1396 North Berwick Road, Wells theorchardatchasefarms.com

Thompson’s Orchards

276 Gloucester Hill Rd., New Gloucester facebook/thompsons-orchard

Treworgy Family Orchard

3876 Union St., Levant www.treworgyorchards.com

Vista of ME Vinyard & Cider

1080 Perkins Ridge Rd, Auburn www.vistaofmaine.weebly.com

Wallingford Orchard

240 Depot Road, Lebanon www.wallingsfordorchard.com

Willow Pond Farm

395 Middle Rd., Sabattus www.willowpf.com

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Pomological Society in 1902, a member cautioned other members against the practice of “deaconing,” or filling barrels for transport with their best apples on top but including less-desirable apples underneath. Flour barrels were commonly used in Maine for apples, and the member also advised at that meeting that growers wash and dry flour barrels before filling them, because some in England thought the flour was poison on the surface of the fruit.

Factors such as foreign markets drying up, a decline in agriculture in the region, the Great Depression, and some severe winters, especially that of 1933-1934, influenced the Maine apple industry in the early part of the 20th century. Fewer apple trees and varieties of apples were a result. But the apple industry in Maine has evolved, survived, and thrived.

According to the Maine Pomological Society, more than 80 farms on 2,000 acres produce about one million bushels of apples each year in the state.

An uptick in the diversity of apples grown and a focus on heirloom apples

has been seen in recent years. The Pomological Society says there are well over 100 varieties of apples currently grown in Maine.

Apple trees that are hundreds of years old remain standing in Maine. They are still being discovered on properties and in the middle of forests throughout the state. Little-Siebold said those trees provide a living history lesson.

“Maine has some of the best-preserved and most diverse heirloom apple trees in America,” said Little-Siebold.

Workers grade and barrel apples. PHOTO COURTESY OF LOVELL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Wondering what to do with all your apples? Cook Up an Awesomely Apple Recipe

Baked Apple Squares

Oatmeal Apple Cookies

Recipe courtesy of Hansel’s Orchard, North Yarmouth

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• ¼ tsp salt

• ½ tsp vanilla

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• 1½ cups whole oats

• ¼ cup butter or margarine

• 1 apple, peeled and chopped

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Combine brown sugar and butter. Beat until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

4. Add flour mixture, then oats, to butter mixture. Stir in apples.

6. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until brown.

Recipe courtesy of Bailey’s Orchard in Whitefield

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups sugar

• 2 cups flour

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 3 eggs

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup cooking oil

• 2 cups thinly sliced apples

• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions: Beat eggs, add sugar gradually, beat until mixture is light and fluffy. And sifted dry ingredients. Add oil and vanilla. Fold in nuts, fold in apple slices. Turn into 9" x 13" greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Shared Love for the Land

Tips for enjoying Maine’s outdoors year-round

Pastures, cropland, woodland, and forests. These working landscapes are beautiful places, important to Maine’s heritage and economy. They are critical to the wellbeing and livelihood of Mainers and its natural beauty.

WHAT DO MAINE’S WORKING LANDSCAPES OFFER?

• Pastures and cropland are local sources of food

• Open and wooded areas are homes for thousands of wildlife bugs, animals, and native plants

• Farms, woodland and forests provide local jobs in agriculture, forestry and tourism

• Special places to get outside and respectfully appreciate Maine’s beauty year-round

Use these tips to stay on the right path to support and appreciate Maine’s working landscapes year-round!

RESPECT: Treat land as the valuable necessity that it is to our state. Your respect plays a role to help everyone appreciate Maine’s beauty.

RESPONSIBILITY: Know before you go: where and if you may walk, drive, travel and tour—and the safe ways to do so. Keep your pets on leash—especially near pasture and farmland.

RIGHT THING: Follow the unwritten rules of Maine land use: ask for permission, say thank you. Set an example for others. Always carry-in and carry-out. See litter and trash? Do the right thing and pick it up.

WHY RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY AND “THE RIGHT THING” MATTER:

• Respectful, responsible land use helps preserve these special places for the future

• Sustains community relationships

• Instills and improves our understanding for the value of Maine’s working landscapes

WANT TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT FARMS AND BUSINESSES?

In addition to saying thank you, show your thanks and support their businesses. Visit www.RealMaine.com for a list of farm products and farms near you!

Apples

Asparagus

Apples

Asparagus

Beans (Snap, Wax)

Beets

Beans (Snap, Wax)

Beets

Blackberries

Blackberries

Blueberries, High Bush

Blueberries, High Bush

Blueberries, Wild Broccoli

Blueberries, Wild Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Cantaloupes

Carrots

Cauliflower

Cantaloupes

Carrots

Cauliflower

Corn (Sweet)

Corn (Sweet)

Cranberries

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Grapes

Cranberries

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Grapes

Kale/Collards

Leeks

Kale/Collards

Leeks

Lettuce/Spinach/

Mixed Greens

Lettuce/Spinach/ Mixed Greens

Mushrooms (Cultivated)

Onions

Parsnip

Peaches

Peas

Pears

Peppers

Plums

Potatoes

Pumpkins

Radishes

Mushrooms (Cultivated)

Onions

Parsnip

Peaches

Peas

Pears

Peppers

Plums

Potatoes

Pumpkins

Radishes

Raspberries

Raspberries

Squash (Summer)

Squash (Summer)

Squash (Winter)

Squash (Winter)

Strawberries

Strawberries

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Watermelon

Watermelon

Available

For the Love of Farming

There are two types of farmers, those who’ve suffered crop failure and those who will. I was raised on a farm in Northern Wisconsin and firmly in the first category before I was a teenager. By the time I graduated from college, I’d experienced several booms and busts as a farmer and learned to squirrel away as much as possible from a bumper crop because the next poor harvest always loomed on the horizon.

I spent the next couple of decades working in various segments of adventure tourism, mostly in Alaska. My income was still affected by things beyond my control; the weather, 9/11, a poor return of King Salmon that no scientist could explain.

Still, I was farming. Subject to wind, rain (often snow by the first week of August), and clouds of mosquitoes, I cultivated an attitude to grow experiences into positive memories of wild places. I did my best, no matter what Mother Nature threw at us, to form seeds of wonder that grew when visitors returned home.

Eventually Alaskan tomatoes disappointed. We decided to move back to the Lower 48. My partner’s family lives in Maine. I knew it wouldn’t take long for me to fall in love with this place. Ready for career changes, we wanted to grow food for ourselves and our community.

Our realtor called us one day and told us about a small orchard with a commercial kitchen and bakery that was about to come on the market. We sent family to look at the property, secured financing, and started packing.

I already had a solid foundation of farming knowledge though I’d never grown fruit trees. Every farmer knows at least a little carpentry, welding, politics, plumbing, mechanics, economics, genetics, weather forecasting, soil science, accounting, and entomology. The best ones also understand public relations, poetry, marketing, and philosophy.

We started devouring knowledge specific to our new venture before we even left Alaska. We enrolled in online courses offered by the University of Maine–Cooperative Extension on food safety, beekeeping, and Integrated Pest Management. Maine has a vibrant agriculture community and wealth of knowledge, from professors to farmers to food processors.

Learning how to care for fruit trees, run a bakery, and press cider is quite a bit to bite off, but we kept chewing. The community supported us. For every, “What

happened to the old owners?” There were five, “I’m so glad you are still operating the orchard.”

It’s a hard truth that farmers are aging out with too few excited to fill their work boots. The vagaries of weather, like the above normal and below normal temperatures in February that decimated the peach crop, can’t compete with climate-controlled offices. After the cold snap, we examined fruit buds from our trees with a hand lens and realized we wouldn’t have peach juice running off our chins come August.

But most fruit growers in Maine only have a few peaches because we’re on the edge of their growing zone. When we get peaches, it’s a bonus. Many of us depend on apples and pears. It’s ironic in this, the 150th Anniversary of the Maine Pomological Society, New England had a killing frost on May 18.

The cold snap was well-forecasted. Some growers fought by misting the flowers until they froze, a counterintuitive method that protects the blossoms by keeping them above the temperature that damages the buds but still below freezing. At least one grower in Vermont used too much water and the weight of the ice damaged limbs. Apple growers across Maine suffered losses across the spectrum from very little to total crop failure. A pretty good crop at bedtime and no crop in the morning.

Many farmers encourage their children to leave farming for less risky careers. And that’s too bad. Yes, there are easier ways to earn income. But few are as satisfying. If one examines the word agriculture, it becomes obvious that farmers empower others to create and develop by freeing people of the arduous task of daily calorie acquisition. Education, medicine, finance, entertainment, and all the rest exist on the foundation of agriculture.

Maine-grown and processed food tastes better because it’s harvested when it’s ready to eat. We can grow varieties with bold flavors rather than those that will survive 1,500 miles in a semi-trailer. Our milk, cheese, and eggs look better and taste brighter because the animals have

a higher quality of life. And it’s the same with the apples; we grow varieties that taste great, make a fabulous pie, or give cider character. Some of our varieties have no place on the wholesale market, but we grow them anyway because they taste wonderful.

Maine has had a thriving agritourism industry since before the first big house, little house, back house, barn was built when this was still part of Massachusetts. Agriculture has changed, we no longer ship apples to England. Most of the orchards left need to sell donuts to keep the lights on. But what remains the same is that there’s still a group of people growing crops, raising animals, and processing food here in Maine.

Participate in state-sponsored events like Maine Apple Sunday, go to farmers’ markets, and stop at farm stands. Better yet, introduce yourself to your farmer.

Maine farmer Shane Patrick of Pleasant Pond Orchard shares thoughts about a difficult start to this year’s apple season and why it’s important to connect with your local farmers

(Above) Irrigated apple petals. PHOTO COURESTY OF MATT PELLERIN, TREWORGY FAMILY ORCHARDS Frost damage becomes visible as pear fruits (left) and apples (below) emerge. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PLEASANT POND ORCHARD

4-H Market Animal Series Part 2

By Real Maine

We are following along as Clara Domin, a Freeport High School junior, and her neighbors Molly and Isla York, who are in eighth grade and fifth grade, respectively, raise lambs as part of 4-H’s Market Animal Program.

The day of our second visit was warm and humid, and the sun had broken through the rain clouds. Clara, Molly, and Isla were preparing to show their market lambs at upcoming fairs, the first being the Ossipee Valley Fair. Plans to show at the Litchfield, Topsham, Skowhegan, Windsor, and Cumberland fairs were also being made.

Clara is caring for two market lambs — George and Willow — and Molly and Isla are looking after three market lambs — Hercules, Apollo, and Zeus.

During the day of our visit, Clara had sheared two sheep as part of fair preparations, which took around an hour for each sheep. Also on her checklist was readying the feet, nails, and ears of her sheep. Clara, who described taking care of her animals as a fun part of her summer, planned to show 10 total sheep at fairs, which include the market lambs.

The girls will have their market lambs until the beginning of October, when they go to auction at the Cumberland Fair. At that fair, the lambs will be weighed, shown, and auctioned off in order of what place they finished.

The 4-H Market Animal Program has been in existence for several decades and applies life skills taught in 4-H, including work ethic, patience, and marketing and business skills. Those that participate prepare their animals to be at their best for showing and as healthy as possible.

For more information about 4-H in Maine and to volunteer, go to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s 4-H website at extension.umaine.edu/4h.

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