Bethel Area Farms, CSAs and Buying Clubs Bethel Area Farms, CSAs and Buying Clubs

Bethel represents a lot of things to a lot of different people but at its core remains a farming community. As the landscape of agriculture changes across Maine, Bethel still boasts some of the oldest farms around — some shifting and evolving with the times, others running much the same operation as generations before. There is so much bounty and variation to be had. Local fields are sodden with snowmelt as Bethel Living takes a look ahead to the upcoming growing season. Who’s doing what and how we can get our hands on the fresh food our community farmers have on offer? Whether filling your fridge or taking steps to increase your food sovereignty goals, there are many options to choose from on the list below.

Community Food and Agriculture Resources - Organizations, Local Processors, Livestock Suppliers, Classes and Workshops

Piglets! Mailman

Chicks!

McChick’s Hatchery in Denmark, ME offers over 20 different breeds of (NPIP certified Marek’s vaccinate) Poultry. They sell chicks, pullets, point of lay hens, cockerels and roosters. Prices vary by breed and age. For more information or to make an order check out their website. (207) 749-6060

Processing

Margolin Processing and Kill and Chill Mobile Poultry Trailer - Currently able to set up on site at farms and homesteads to process poultry and small animals. Can be found on Facebook or contacted via phone (207) 595-2748 or email themargolinfarm@gmail.com

Information and Classes

Oxford County Cooperative Extension - The cooperative extension offers many workshops across Oxford County in addition to offering Master Gardeners Volunteer Training.

Mahoosuc Land Trust - North Rd Bethel. Offers opportunities to engage in outdoor recreation and attend workshops and events encouraging the cultivation of natural spaces. Also be on the look out for Director of Development Barbara Murphy led gardening classes through RSU 44 Adult Ed

Seedlings

Mountain Greenery - 590 W Bethel Rd, Bethel - Conventionally Grown Annuals, Perennials, Veggies, Trees and shrubs (207) 836-3003

Farmer’s Markets, Food Buying Clubs and Local Food Grocers

Bethel Farmers Market

Runs end of May until early October. Open weekly on Saturdays (9a-1pm ) in the Norway Savings Bank Parking Lot off Parkway in Bethel. Currently seeking vendors! bethelfarmersmarketme@gmail.com

Boondocks Buying Club

A buying club that utilizes an online ordering system to purchase high quality local ingredients in bulk that is then split and divided into member orders. For more information and to sign up email boondocksbc@gmail. com

Greenwood Farmers Market

Open weekly on Fridays 4-6pm at the Greenwood Town Hall

The Good Food Store

212 Mayville Rd. Bethel. Open 7 days a week 9am to 8pm. Local Produce, animal products and homeopathics (207) 824-3754

The Local Hub

224 N Main St, Greenwood. Open Thursday thru Sunday 7a - 3p, Friday and Saturday Pizza Nights 3p-8p. Local produce, animal products, groceries and crafts. (207) 875-0011

CSA Options and Pre-Order Options

This pre purchase allows Farmers the opportunity to grow more with the assurance of less waste and gives participants first dibs on all the good stuff.

Candi Rosseau’s Farm Baskets

Sign up by direct messaging “Candi Rosseau” on facebook. Good beginner CSA. Participants opt-in every Monday and pay her when you pick up on Bailey Rd. in Bethel every Wednesday at 7p. This year baskets are $35.

Gamut Goods

Bread share! Members will have the option of choosing from various CSA options with pickup locations at Morning Glory Farm 4-6p on Mondays, or pick-up at their store front in West Bethel, Thursdays, 12-3p. FMI visit their website. heygamutgoods@gmail.com

Middle Intervale Farm Senior Farm Share

20 openings available to area seniors for discounted produce and meat with weekly pick up at the Bethel Farmers Markets on Saturdays.

Morning Glory Floral

Though Morning Glory Farms’ Fruit and Vegetable CSA is full for the season, there are still slots left to get in on the Flower CSA. Pick up each Monday between 4-6pm at the Farm in West Bethel. Visit the farms’ website to check out all their offerings, events and services. (207) 381-0321

Stalk and Pistil Flower Farm

Waterford based flower farm offering spring, summer, and fall CSA shares with a pickup location in Bethel, ME. Head to their website/online shop for more details. stalkandpistil@gmail.com

Farmstand & PYO Seasons

The convenience of going when you can and choosing what you want

Back to Roots

199 Curtis Hill Road Woodstock. Open 24/7 Farm stand offers farm raised nitrate free pork, baked goods, popcorn, pre-made foods, herbal products, seedlings, plants, and local provisions Accepts cash, check or Venmo. (207) 890-4320

Birch Bog Farm

41 Dundee Rd,Albany Township. Organic Cranberry Farm offering wholesale, retail and PYO (in mid October) options for purchase. (207) 357-1442

Blake’s Farm

384 Walkers Mill rd. Bethel. Open Sunrise to Sunset 7 days a week, Offers Beef, Pork with the addition of roaster chickens this summer and turkeys for thanksgiving. Accepts Cash or Checks.

Chapman Brook Farm Stand

Located 2.1 miles down the North rd on the right. Open Friday- Sunday from 9-6pm. Offers organically grown vegetables, corn, greens and alliums. Accepts cash, check or Venmo. Chapmanbrookfarm@gmail.com

Christy’s Crops

711 Rte. 232, Bryant Pond. Sunup to sundown. Christy just built a brand new greenhouse so guests of the farmstand can expect more options sooner and later in the season. She has veggies, fruits, herbs and some seedlings. Accepts cash, local check or Venmo

Gibson’s Apple Orchard

55 Gibson Rd, Bethel. Upick Apple Orchard offers multiple apple varieties as well as in season raspberries. Local honey and Maine maple syrup are available year round. Occasionally fresh cider donuts! The orchard opens annually on Labor Day weekend. Accepts cash or check. (207) 595-6944

Great Brook Farm

735 Bear River Road Newry. Offers farm raised beef, pork, chicken, turkeys, eggs and maple syrup. They also sell pork and beef shares. Accepts cash or check. (603) 723-1020

Howe Family Farm

1760 Intervale Rd. Bethel. Opening for the season in late May with fresh veggies, pork products, beef, baked goods, relishes, pickles, jams, jellies and much more. Also accepts pre-orders on all of their baked + frozen products. Accepts cash, credit or check. (207) 824-2322

Jade’s Homegrown

61 Route 232, Rumford Corner. Open 24/7, Farm stand with grass fed beef, pork, eggs, whole chicken by pre-order, maple syrup, sauces and marinades, honey and in season veggies. Accepts cash or check. pinecreekshowcattle@yahoo.com

Middle Intervale Farm

758 Intervale rd. Betel. Open 24/7, Offers seasonal vegetables, local dairy, frozen beef, pork and lamb as well as a variety of other locally sourced items. Accepts Cash or Local Checks. (207) 890-1559

No View Farm

855 S Rumford Rd, Rumford - Open Thurs thru Sat 10a-2pm. Organic Vegetables, jams, pickles, eggs, seedlings and home made soaps and baked goods to order as well as many events and the brand new Sugar Shack for The Healing Arts where practitioners of the healing arts can meet with clients. Vendors and those interested in such services are encouraged to check out No View Farms website FMI. Cash, credit or check (207) 507-1510

Swain’s Family Farm

185 West Bethel Rd. West Bethel. Open During the growing season 7 days a week. Accepts Cash and Local Checks. (207) 357-9504

Sparrowhawk Orchard

684 Grover Hill Rd, Bethel. Upich Apple Orchard offers multiple varieties as well as educational workshops and other farm events. (207) 233-7819

Walkers Farm Stand

8 Walker Lane. Greenwood. Open 24/7- eggs, beef, pork, grain and shavings Accepts cash or check. (207) 393-7489

Events, Tours and Workshops:

Farm events span the gamut of offerings from Farm Dinners, to music and celebration to farm tours and workshops on a variety of subjects

Tree Grafting at Sparrowhawk Orchard

May 13th, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm $35 – $50 Jesse Stevens led class teaching hot to do topwork (graft) new diseaseresistant, cider, dessert or heritage varieties onto your existing trees! Register through MOFGA events.

Arts and Ag Tour

Sept. 11th - Arts and Farming Treasure Map leading you to a fun filled day exploring, eating and engaging in a variety of activities on many of our local farms. Tickets sales will open in June through a variety of organizations. Also be on the lookout for flyers which will have QR Code Links to tickets as well.

Farm to Table Dinners

Outdoor Farm to Table Dining Series hosted at various local farms featuring all that they’re growing cooked into family style meals to be shared with friends. For details on locations, menus and pricing watch the “Food Sovereign Bethel” Facebook page or reach out to Meryl

Soups On!

A recurring free event for area Seniors located at Bethel United Methodist Church (79 Main Street, across from the IGA). The event features a bowl of nutritious soup followed by an afternoon of activities for Seniors; board games, cards and social time. Contact Bonnie Pooley for more information or to have soup delivered to your home in lieu of venturing out. pooleyb@gouldacademy.org