Know Your Organic Producers

February 12, 2021

Meet Laura Neale of Black Kettle Farm in Lyman, Maine. The farm is woman-owned and has been staffed mostly by women over the last 13 years. Black Kettle Farm transitioned to organic production from a conventional corn farm. Laura says it is now “a diverse, sometimes chaotic, field of a huge range of vegetables and herbs, all at different stages, that are constantly changing and shifting to reflect the season.” It is host to bees, frogs, worms and birds, Laura continues. Black Kettle Farm sells their products through an 18-week CSA with pick-ups in Lyman, Portland and Kittery, through the Maine Senior FarmShare program, and to restaurants from Kittery to Portland. When asked why organic production is important to her, Laura explained, “I feel like it is not just about the production of safe food for consumers, but also about how the farm interacts with the natural world as a whole.” We asked Laura what organic principles and practices she most values and she responded, “I value the farm inspection that happens during the growing season after plans and certification paperwork have been submitted. I think that it is so important to meet in-person, walk around the farm, show records and receipts, and talk about the operation.” Photo courtesy of Laura Neale.

Find Black Kettle Farm on Facebook, Instagram and the farm website.

September 10, 2020

Meet Sara Faull and Genio Burtin of Mandala Farm in Gouldsboro, Maine. They, their children and Burtin’s parents maintain 2.5 acres of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and diverse livestock enterprises. They sell their vegetables to restaurants and retail stores on Mount Desert Island and through their CSA, self-serve farm stand and the Winter Harbor Farmers’ Market. They farm primarily using Fjords, which haul in crops, spread manure, plant cover crops, move firewood and carry maple sap. See Sonja Heyck-Merlin’s article about Mandala Farm in the fall issue of The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener.

Find Mandala Farm on Facebook, Instagram and the farm website.

September 3, 2020

Meet Stowe and Dylan of Old Wells Farm in Limington, Maine. The whole crew consists of Stowell Watters, Marina Steller, Alaena Robbins and Dylan Watters, who grow MOFGA-certified organic produce and seedlings on their family land. They produce organically because they like to “keep it clean.” The crew attests that the record-keeping requirements of organic production help them stay organized. Learn more about Old Wells Farm on Facebook, Instagram or at www.oldwellsfarm.com.

August 20, 2020

Meet the folks from Passamaquoddy Maple in Jackman, Maine! A 100% tribally owned business that produces MOFGA certified organic Maple Syrup products “that will not only sustain our tribal land, but also create jobs for our people.” Passamaquoddy Maple sells products online, through wholesale accounts, at craft/artisan shows (in a normal year), and at their office in Jackman (call first). They choose to produce organically because “it guarantees a wholesome product without any added chemicals.” To learn more about Passamaquoddy Maple and to purchase their MOFGA certified Maple Syrup, please visit them online at https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/, on Facebook (@PassamaquoddyMapleSyrup), or Instagram (@passamaquoddymaple).

August 13, 2020

Meet some of the cows from Ledge Rock Farm in Knox, Maine! Ledge Rock Farm is a MOFGA certified organic dairy that sells milk to Organic Valley. They choose to be a MOFGA certified dairy because they believe it is important for their cows to go out to pasture and have access to the outdoors everyday. Being organic has given them the opportunity to know each of their cows and their unique personalities. It also enables them to recognize if something is off or different about a cow and catch an issue before it becomes a bigger problem. As Michele from Ledge Rock says, “Happy cows produce better milk!”

August 6, 2020

At Aroostook Hops in Westfield, Maine, Krista Delahunty, Jason Johnston and their three children (Kathleen, Marie and Elise) grow MOFGA-certified organic hops. They have been growing the crop for over 11 years. They produce five varieties of hops on 4 acres and supply fresh and pelletized hops to many Maine breweries. Organic production is important to them because they are both biologists and “have always paid attention to potentially harmful chemicals in our environment.” Aroostook Hops values organic soil-building practices in organic production, but most of all the farmers value avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals that may have unknown negative health effects. Find their products at https://aroostookhops.com and https://www.etsy.com/shop/AroostookHops.

July 23, 2020

Meet Cassie Seawell and Michael Saucier of Leaf & Caul in Washington, Maine. This restoration-minded livestock farm raises animals (organically fed, forest-raised pork and MOFGA-certified organic chicken and eggs) on forage and organic grain in managed pastures and woods. Asked why organic production is important to them, Cassie explained, “We are committed to diversified, holistic, organic production as a means of repairing the damage to our soil ecosystems.” They value using manure and grazing as part of their organic principles and practices to improve soil health, which in turn produces healthy animals. Find Leaf & Caul products at the Belfast Co-op, Bahner Farm, Daybreak Growers Alliance, Farmers’ Gate Market, Maine Street Meats or at the farm (after contacting them). Learn more on its website and on Facebook (Leaf & Caul) and Instagram (@leafandcaul). Look for the MOFGA-certified logo where you shop.

July 16, 2020

Meet Cindy Townsend and Ron DiGravio of Cranberry Rock Farm LLC in Winthrop, Maine. They grow organic produce of all kinds. You can find their products at multiple health food stores, farmers’ markets, and on their online store. As Cindy says of growing organically, “organic production is the best way to work with the environment and to optimize nutrient density in the vegetables we grow.” When asked what organic production principles and practices they most valued, Cindy explained, “we value minimal tillage and cover cropping as the best ways to enhance the health of our soil and of our farm as a whole.” Visit them online at their website, on Facebook, on Instagram @cranberryrockfarm and remember to look for the MOFGA Certified Organic logo where you shop.

April 23, 2020

Meet Emilia Carbone and Jed Beach of 3 Bug Farm in Lincolnville, Maine. They and their four sons, Ray, Silas, Luca and Tait, grow all the MOFGA-certified organic vegetables you can think of, plus flowers, seedlings, black raspberries, table grapes, strawberries and in the coming years a larger diversity of fruit. Find 3 Bug Farm produce at their farm stand on Route 235 in Lincolnville and at many midcoast stores. The farm is named for the swallowtail butterflies, fireflies and dragonflies that populate the area in warmer months. Growing organically helps achieve this biodiversity and a complex and balanced farm ecosystem, say the farmers, adding, “We have made a promise to not overdevelop our property and to work with our surroundings.” Having four boys always snacking on the farm produce is another great reason for being organic.

April 16, 2020

Meet Ben Daly of Chirp Creek Farm in Lisbon, Maine, pictured here with Sophia Gamache (site manager at Lewiston Farmers’ Market). Chirp Creek grows many types of MOFGA-certified organic produce. Daly is especially proud of its fancy lettuce varieties. The Chirp Creek farmers grow organically because they believe that organic farms are part of a holistic, healthy system, and because they know their customers like to be assured of the quality of their produce. Two horses do the tillage and cultivation. A crew of two helps Ben to do the rest of the field work and packing, as do various friends and family members occasionally. You can find Chirp Creek products at the Lewiston, Auburn, Cumberland and Falmouth farmers’ markets. They also sell wholesale.

April 9, 2020

At Whitehill Farm in East Wilton, Maine, Amy LeBlanc produces MOFGA-certified organic seedlings, vegetables and value-add products, which she has been selling at the Farmington Farmers’ Market for over 20 years. She also sells at craft fairs and festivals; through the Western Maine Market, a local online farmer-to-consumer connection; and at the Better Living Center in Farmington. Since the Fedco Tree Sale is canceled for this year, she’ll sell her seedlings on-farm at the end of May. Call if you’re looking for seedlings.

April 2, 2020

Meet Jason and Barbara Kafka of Checkerberry Farm in Parkman, Maine. They grow MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, herbs, cut flowers and seedlings, which they wholesale to Whole Foods, Fedco, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Crown of Maine, and other MOFGA-certified organic farms. Jason grows organically because, as he says, “we always have. It just seemed the sensible thing to do.” Due to the circumstances, the Kafkas will sell seedlings from their farm this year instead of at the Fedco Tree sale (which has been canceled for 2020). Beginning on May 7 and into June, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or by appointment), the farm will be open for purchase and pickup of its organic seedlings. Jason wishes resilience for everyone and urges us to remember that “we are all in this together!”

March 26, 2020

Meet Angie Trombley and Kyle DePietro of Tarbox Farm on Westport Island. They produce a diverse variety of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, culinary herbs, cut flowers, hops, strawberries, blueberries and cranberries. They sell to restaurants and natural food stores in their area, as well as at the Bath Farmers’ Market. They also have a CSA, which runs as a credit program for pickup at the Bath Farmers’ Market, and this summer they plan to sell produce directly from their farm. Trombley says that growing organically isn’t even a question for them. They deeply believe in leaving the land better than they found it. Find Tarbox Farm and its brewery, Sasanoa Brewing, at tarboxfarm.com.

March 19, 2020

Meet Rodney Boyington and Vanessa Rancourt of Jackman Maple Syrup. Their sugarbush is nestled on the north facing slope of Bald Mountain, just north Jackman, and they produce MOFGA-certified organic maple products, including syrup and sugar. Find their maple products in local stores in Jackman as well as at farmers markets, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and stores along the coast. They offer certified organic maple products because they “understand the need for clean, healthy options for people to feel good about.” Additionally, “Simply pure maple syrup is straight from our trees to your table. We also do our part to keep the trees and land thriving for years to come.” Visit their online store at www.jackmanmaple.com.

March 12, 2020

Meet Josh Girard of Girard Farm in Lyman and Waterboro, Maine. Girard and his crew produce over 40 kinds of MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and organic eggs for farmers’ markets in Biddeford, Saco, Wells and Berwick, and for a few grocers in Biddeford and Lyman. Girard Farm also sells through its farm stand at 385 Main Street in Waterboro and its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs with drop-off available in Lyman, Portland and Biddeford.

February 27, 2020

Meet Joel Alex, founder and maltster of Blue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls. Alex and his fabulous team of six produce MOFGA-certified organic malted barley, wheat, rye and oats – all sourced from Maine farms. They sell to more than 100 breweries, most in Maine. When Blue Ox opened in 2015, it was the largest floor malt house in North America. Floor malting is the traditional method of malting grain on germination floors rather than in mechanized boxes. Ask for Blue Ox Malt where you drink.

February 20, 2020

Meet Jereme, Carli, Donna and Carroll Frigon of Gray Jay Mapleworks in Moose River. They produce MOFGA-certified organic maple syrup as well as maple cream, candy, sugar and taffy. Their products are available through their website (grayjaymaple.com) and at many stores and festivals throughout the state. They choose organic certification “because it means producing wholesome, healthy and delicious maple products, while working hard to be great stewards of the land. We take great pride in producing delicious maple products that our customers can feel good about feeding their families. We are passionate about the outdoors and everything maple.”

February 6, 2020

Meet Carole Mapes of Flywheel Flowers in Brooks, Maine. Mapes grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and herbs, as well as perennial and annual flowers for many occasions. Flywheel Everlasting Flowers are available through Valentine’s Day. Every Saturday in May, Mapes hosts a spring plant sale on her farm, and from May through October she sells fresh flowers at the Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor farmers’ markets. You can also find many Flywheel Flowers products on the online store at https://www.flywheelflowers.com/.

Meet Ryan Clarke and Courtney Williams of Marr Pond Farm in Sangerville, Maine. The two raise MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, cut flowers and forest-grown mushrooms. They sell at the Orono and Waterville farmers’ markets and through their CSA, and some flower arrangements grace wedding tables. Both have extensive agricultural backgrounds, and Williams (formerly the Common Ground Country Fair coordinator) is a MOFGA journeyperson. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/marrpondfarm/.

Meet The Maine Potato Lady of Guilford, Maine. Alison, Roseanna, Paul and Lucien LaCourse run this MOFGA-certified organic seed company. While the Maine Potato Lady specializes in organic seed potatoes, Alison also carries MOFGA-certified organic transplants, sweet potato slips, seed garlic, heritage grains and cover crops. The business offers small sizes of seeds for gardeners and larger sizes for market growers. The Maine Potato Lady procures as much seed from small family farms as possible. Alison says, “We offer a selection of organic products as we have an inherent belief in growing and living organically.” To order seeds, visit their website: http://www.mainepotatolady.com/

January 16, 2020

Meet Beth Schiller of Dandelion Spring Farm in Bowdoinham. In addition to being MOFGA’s board president, Schiller grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables and herbs that she sells at the Portland Farmers’ Market on Saturdays year round and at the Rockland Farmers’ Market from May through October, as well as wholesale to several restaurants and stores along the coast from Camden to Portland. Learn more about Dandelion Spring Farm and its work to support food security in Maine at https://dandelionspringfarm.com/.

January 9, 2020

Meet Ian Jerolmack of Stonecipher Farm in Bowdoinham. Jerolmack and partner Emily Goodchild grow all MOFGA-certified organic produce at their farm. Stonecipher’s farmers grow organically because they believe it is the least they can do to lighten their load on the planet. Jerolmack says, “We couldn’t have done it without MOFGA!” See their website for more information and photos.

January 2, 2020

Meet the Schofield team, Cindy (left), Ray (center, top), Elisha (right) and Elijah, of Back 40 Bakehouse in Montville. They bake MOFGA-certified organic breads for wholesale markets from the Midcoast through Waterville, including stores, cafes, buying clubs and CSA. Back 40 Bakehouse contributes all of the bread served at the MOFGA-El Salvador Sistering Committee’s Empty Bowl Supper. Learn more on their website: back40bakehouse.com.

December 12, 2019

Meet Michael Connelly (left) who, with his family, founded and owns Little Red Cup Tea based in Brunswick, Maine. The company sells MOFGA-certified organic and certified Fair Trade tea sourced from China.

November 20, 2019

Meet Dale and Kipp Quinby of Red Bog in Sedgwick. The farm produces MOFGA-certified organic cranberries, sold through their farm stand and many local food retailers from Kittery through the Blue Hill Peninsula.

November 7, 2019

Meet Phil Cuddeback of Phil’s Farm in Eliot. Cuddeback grows MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for the farm’s CSA and for summer farmers’ markets in Portsmouth, Kittery and York.

Photo by Liars Bench Beer Company

October 17, 2019

Meet Abby Sadauckas and Jake Galle of Apple Creek Farm in Bowdoinham. Established in 1985 by Galle’s family, he and Sadauckas moved to Bowdoinham in 2014, expanded the pasture and land and now produce MOFGA-certified organic grass-fed beef, lamb and goat, as well as MOFGA-certified organic, pasture-raised broiler chickens, geese and turkeys.

October 10, 2019

Meet Julia and Andy McLeod and their children, Sophie and Otto, from Scratch Farm in Bowdoin. In addition to growing MOFGA-certified organic vegetables, they specialize in farm boxes filled with Scratch Farm grown, MOFGA-certified vegetables, fruit and herbs.

September 19, 2019

Meet Steve and Kari Farr and their children, of the Farr Homestead at 448 Barker Road in Troy, Maine. The Farrs produce MOFGA-certified organic wheat, dried beans, garlic and produce, and they custom-hatch organic chicks with their “Broody-for-Hire” hens. See http://www.farrhomestead.com/ for more information. Photo courtesy of the Farr Homestead

September 5, 2019

Meet Finegan Ferreboeuf and Jason Gold from Steelbow Farm in Norridgewock. They sell their MOFGA-certified organic vegetables at three farmers’ markets, through a CSA program and to restaurants in central Maine and Portland. Learn more on the farm’s website

August 29, 2019

Blueberry season is on the downhill slide now, but there is still time to visit Winslow Farm in Falmouth. Farm Manager Max Boudreau, along with family, staff and volunteers, run this beautiful farm that provides pick your own MOFGA certified organic high-bush blueberries and all of the organic vegetables you could want. “The farm is a constantly evolving system that incorporates community-centered natural farming with homesteading practices and permaculture techniques with the vision of creating a sustainable experience for our family and community” – Winslow Farm. Stop by and visit their Flower Shop/Farm Stand – open everyday except Monday!

August 15, 2019

Meet Lauren Bruns from Lost and Found Farm in Gray. Newly certified organic by MOFGA, Lauren (a MOFGA Journeyperson) grows low-bush blueberries on the family farm. You can find these sweet blue morsels at the Portland Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and the Boothbay Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. We love local and organic!

August 1, 2019

Meet Noah Wentworth and Flora Brown (middle; farm owners/managers) and two of their apprentices, Deanna DeMatteo (left) and Sophie Olmsted (right), of Frinklepod Farm in Arundel, Maine. This MOFGA-certified organic farm has created a vibrant community around its farm store, which sells its own produce and other delicious local offerings from the community. The Pod, a net-zero structure at Frinklepod, is another way that the farm connects with its community through educational classes and events. Stop by for a Frinklepop and to meet the amazing crew. Learn more about Frinklepod at http://frinklepodfarm.com/.

July 25, 2019

Meet Keena Tracy of MOFGA-certified organic Little Ridge Farm in Lisbon Falls. The farm supplies organic produce to nearly 150 families within a 10-mile radius through its CSA. It also sells to Good Shepherd Food Bank, FLUX Restaurant and Bar and to a few local businesses that make specialty products. Tracy says, “Soil and environmental health are extremely important to me. For personal well-being I want to eat food that is raised organically and work with plants that are safe to handle. I am proud to sell a healthful product. Farming in Maine has been a wonderful experience. The technical support from MOFGA and the community’s desire for quality food has made a challenging career very rewarding. I can’t see myself doing anything else.” Learn more at http://littleridgefarm.com/.

March 28, 2019

Meet Kyle DePietro of MOFGA-certified organic Sasanoa Brewery at Tarbox Farm (also MOFGA-certified) on Westport Island. This is the first Maine brewery to be certified organic by MOFGA.

March 21, 2019

Meet John and Michele Pino of MOFGA-certified organic Mooarhill Farm in Mount Vernon, Maine.

March 14, 2019

Meet Meg and Ryan Mitchell of MOFGA-certified organic South Paw Farm in Freedom, Maine. South Paw raises mixed vegetables, herbs, cover crops, pasture, vegetable seedlings, peaches, raspberries, elderberries, pears, apples, plums and rhubarb.

March 7, 2019

Meet Bill, Anna and Rosey Guest of MOFGA-certified organic Bluebird Hill Farm in Jefferson. This solar-powered farm has been off the grid for over 30 years.

February 28, 2019

Meet Tania Cubberly and Adam Lemieux of MOFGA-certified organic Skyfall Flowers in Winslow. Skyfall raises calendula and chamomile, dahlia tubers, as well as annual cut flowers and annual and perennial flower seedlings.

February 14, 2019

Meet Anne and Tim Devin of MOFGA-certified organic Chase Stream Farm in Monroe. The Devins grow mixed vegetables, basil, dill, vegetable seedlings, raspberries, rhubarb and elderberry. They make maple syrup and value-added products such as kimchi and kojang, a Korean hot sauce.

September 5, 2018

Meet Mort and Barbara Mather of Easter Orchard Farm in Wells. Easter Orchard raises MOFGA-certified organic vegetables for Joshua’s Restaurant (www.joshuas.biz/), also in Wells and owned by the Mathers’ son. Mort is a former MOFGA president and board member who was also active in the Common Ground Country Fair for years. Barbara wrote a cooking column for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener. MOFGA is grateful for their years of commitment to organic.

May 17, 2018

Meet Peter Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm in Liberty. He and Julie Beckford specialize in raising native perennial plants and flowers, and perennial culinary and medicinal herbs.

May 10, 2018

Meet Jennifer Lignini of MOFGA-certified organic Turtle Rock Farm in Brunswick. Turtle Rock produces blueberry cardamom jam, classic dill pickles and canned whole peeled tomatoes.

February 26, 2015

Meet Ivelisse Rivera, farm manager at MOFGA certified organic Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro. Darthia Farm is owned by Cynthia and Bill Thayer.

February 19, 2015

At Chick Farm in Wells, Rick and Marilyn Stanley produce vegetables (including asparagus and sweet potatoes), raspberries, broilers and eggs, which they sell through farmers’ markets, natural food stores and at restaurants.

February 5, 2015

Meet Harold Lachance and Stella Lebrecque of Brelac Inc., who produce MOFGA certified organic maple syrup in Jackman. MOFGA certified more than 50 maple syrup producers, many of them in Quebec.

January 29, 2015

Meet Richard and Rejeanne Poirier who produce MOFGA certified organic maple syrup in St. Georges E., Quebec. MOFGA certified more than 50 maple syrup producers, many of them in Quebec.

January 22, 2015

Meet Erich Margeson and his family from Margeson Organic Farm in Westmanland. The Margesons raise MOFGA certified organic potatoes, seed potatoes, winter squash, oats and garlic, which they sell through Maine Potato Lady, Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Fedco.

February 28, 2014

Meet Gail Faith Edwards of Blessed Maine Herb Farm in Athens. Gail and her daughters Rosa, Grace and Belle raise, harvest and process dozens of herbs and other medicinal plants – and even mushrooms – for use in tinctures, teas, elixirs, vinegars and other products.

February 21, 2014

Meet Eric and Becky Sideman of East Wind Farm in Strafford, N.H. Eric and Becky raise MOFGA certified organic strawberries and tomatoes, which they sell to specialty shops and at their farm.

February 14, 2014

Meet Rob Johanson and Jan Goranson of Goranson Farm in Dresden. These farmers raise MOFGA certified organic vegetables, herbs, cut flowers, seedlings, seed potatoes, strawberries, hay, pasture … and even edible flowers!

February 7, 2014

Meet Cheryl Wixson, who has two MOFGA certified organic businesses: Cheryl Wixson’s Kitchen and Rabbit Hill.

January 10, 2014

Meet Ben Whatley who, with his parents Laura (shown here) and Nick, runs Whatley Farm LLC in Topsham. Ben was a MOFGA apprentice on Broadturn Farm in Scarborough and a MOFGA journeyperson. The Whatleys grow vegetables and herbs,

January 4, 2014

Meet Mary Perry and her children, of MOFGA certified organic Winterberry Farm in Belgrade. Mary and Kenya, Gil and Sage grow vegetables and flowers at their horse- and oxen-powered farm.

October 18, 2013

Meet MOFGA certified organic farmers Ian Jerolmack and Emily Goodchild, who raise vegetables and eggs at Stonecipher Farm in Bowdoinham.

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