AUGUSTA, Maine — All across the state of Maine, close to 100 family farms will open their doors to the public Sunday, July 26, 2015, during the annual Open Farm Day.
Two farms in Woodland will participate. Down to Earth Gardens and Greenhouses, owned by Kristen Bondeson and located on the New Sweden Road in Woodland, will be open from 12-4 p.m., while Orchard Hill Farm on the Pratt Road, owned by Stan and Gail Maynard, will be open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Down to Earth is a local greenhouse specializing in annual container and bedding plants, perennials, trees and shrubs. Guests will be able to explore the new high tunnel and see the trellised tomato plants, among other features.
Orchard Hill raises Highland beef cattle, one of the world’s oldest purebreds, and has one of the state’s largest herds of registered Highlands. Visitors will be welcome to meet new spring calves and try their hand at grooming. Information on pork production will be available.
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb urged families to “take advantage of this day to connect to life on the farm.”
Though the number of farms in the U.S. is declining, the number of Maine farms has increased to 8,174, up from 7,196 in 2002, according to Gov. Paul LePage.
