By Tammie Mulvey
Houlton Rotary Club
HOULTON — Matt and Linda Williams live on their farm in Linneus. They grow organic wheat and oats. They mill not only their own products, but other farms’ as well.
For other Maine farms they will do custom cleaning and custom milling. Matt explained that they have been growing products and selling them mostly wholesale to bakeries, co-ops, and through the Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative.
He stated that they specialize in Maine organic products. They are believed to be the only mill in Maine that produces Maine-only products. Their daughter Sarah moved back home this past year to help with the farm. Sarah is a wonderful addition to the business, and is looking at the farm/business from a different perspective. She has made connections to bakeries in New York and other large markets that want quality Maine organic products, and they have them.
Contributed photo/Michael Clark
FEATURED SPEAKER — The Williams family, from left Sara, Matthew and Linda, were the featured speakers at the Houlton Rotary Club March 10. They spoke on organic farming. With them is Scott Dionne, Rotary past president.
Matt showed pictures of the milling process and explained that it is pretty much the same as it was in the old days, with slight improvement variations. Matt and Sarah discussed briefly the process of growing, selecting and milling their products, which is very interesting, but too much for me to recall. You can find that on their website in great detail.
You may ask just what do they grow and most importantly where can I buy it?
They grow: Hard Red Winter wheat-variety- Maxine, Hard Red Spring wheat-variety- AC Berry, Oats- variety- Alymer. You can find locations to purchase their exceptional products on their website at http://auroramillsandfarm.net and at the Houlton Community Market this spring and summer.
In fact, Matt made amazing bread for our lunch and I would strongly suggest you try as soon as you can. Sarah discussed her ideas on expanding to more local places and adding bakery items to the area markets. They will be introducing stone baked pizza, which I am positive you will be pleased. Sarah plans on bringing some of these delicious baked goods to the Houlton Community Market and the County Coop and Farm Store when it opens.
She also encouraged everyone to become a member of The County Coop and Farm Store in support of buying local. Last but not least I could not end without talking about the Aurora Farm’s Organic Oatmeal Ale, which is made by The Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor.
They chose to use Aurora Mills flavorful Alymer oats to create a deep ruby ale with a crisp, clean finish. True to the style, Aurora Farm’s Oatmeal Ale is moderate in alcohol with an ABV of 5 percent. This is currently available in Houlton at The Courtyard Café and at The Lounge Down Under.
The Williams are great supporters and promoters of Maine and in particular Aroostook County, so if you have a chance to try some of their products do not hesitate — you will not be disappointed.
