By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
After working together for 32 years in their floral business (Phil’s Florist and Greenhouses), Phil and Jackie Doak, eyeing retirement, sold their business in 2006 and looked forward to their first year of “freedom,” however according to the couple, “we flunked retirement.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Jackie Doak, self-proclaimed spoiler of the Katahdin Hair sheep at Sunrise Farm gives Peter his favorite treat of grapes.
“Phil and I started Phil’s Florist and Greenhouses in Caribou and for 32 years enjoyed our florist and garden center, growing plants and arranging flowers for our many customers,” stated Jackie Doak, “but after a short time, while I could always find something to keep busy at, I knew Phil was getting bored.”
No stranger to farming, Phil Doak grew up on a farm, not too far away from the couple’s current residence, and at an early age learned the hard work and responsibility that comes from farming and raising animals.
“Since Phil had a farm upbringing, he really wanted to raise animals — sheep and beef in particular,” said Jackie. “We knew we wanted to do something related to animals,” she added with a smile, “ but when he mentioned sheep, I said, ‘sheep?’ I was thinking cattle.”
“After much research on Phil’s part, he chose the Katahdin hair sheep and the Belted Galloway cattle — our journey began … and we’re not bored anymore,” Jackie stated.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Phil and Jackie Doak with their Katahdin Hair sheep on Sunrise Farm in Woodland.
Anyone who has ever traveled on the Margison Road in Woodland, may be familiar with Sunrise Farm. Located at the top of a hill the 101 acres with the beautiful home offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the area. “We named it Sunrise Farm,” said Phil Doak, “because we can see the sun when it just begins to rise each morning and it is all around us throughout the day and then we watch it set.” On a clear day one can literally see the buildings on the former Air Force Base and beyond that well into Canada.
It took 20 years, but Phil Doak actually cleared the 20 acres where their home sits and the pastures and meadows that surround it — he cleared it by hand assisted only by a chain saw.
The Katahdin Hair sheep were actually developed in Maine many years ago and are a good, healthy breed and the ewes, who have exceptionally strong maternal instincts, have a long breeding season, in turn providing lambing outside of the traditional period, allowing for year-round marketing. The sheep are known for being very gentle and also do not need to be sheared.
“Phil tells me I spoil the lambs,” said Jackie, “but he’s as bad as I am — you can’t just take care of them without falling in love with them — they are like pets and, yes, we name them.”
“It is our desire to raise healthy, grass-fed animals, feeding them the best quality hay, grown on our own farms,” said the Doaks. “They have plenty of sunshine, freedom to roam and fresh spring or well water. Our animals ( both the sheep and cattle) are not given hormones, antibiotic or growth stimulants,” they added.
Currently, the Doaks have three of the Belted Galloway cattle at their farm with intentions of adding to the herd in the near future. The Belted Galloway (Scottish heritage) is one of the oldest of cattle breeds, easily identified by the wide white belt that totally encircles their body.
The Doaks have followed all of the state and federal rules and today their breeding stock of sheep and cattle are USDA inspected and readied for sale via Maple Lane Processors based out of Charleston.
“We take our sheep/cattle to them, specifying what particular cuts (size) of meat we want. Once processed each cut is secured in cry-o-vac packaging, frozen and we bring it back to the farm where we are fully licensed to sell the processed meat from our own freezers. Our meat is sold by the individual portion, by the half or by the whole animal and can be purchased right at our farm.
“We invite anyone to visit our farm and bring the family,” the Doaks said. “You’ll be able to see how our animals are raised and feel confident when buying our meats. Our animals are used to being around people and will come right to the fence for petting and attention — the children will love it.”
As if sheep and cattle weren’t enough to keep the Doaks busy, Jackie also has created a certified line of fruit vinegars (made from fruits grown at Sunrise Farm) that, when added to a small bit of olive oil, make a delicious dressing for pasta or green salads. She also has homemade jams as well as black currant and mint jelly, both perfect with any lamb entree.
Sunrise Farm will be a new addition at the Caribou Farmer’s Market today, which is held on Bennett Drive from 3 to 6 p.m.
Phil and Jackie do encourage anyone who would like to visit their farm to call 896-5674 ahead of time. Sunrise Farm is located at 571 Margison Road in Woodland.
