Farmers’ Market: Heirloom II
To most people, an heirloom is a treasured object that has been passed down from generation to generation within a family. Though it may also be valued as an antique, the monetary value of an heirloom is the least of its charms.
Of far greater consequence is the family story that connects past with present … a new bride appearing at the back of the church in her great-grandmother’s wedding dress, spell-binding in her beauty as all brides are, but also sharing in a legacy that extends over generations … a carpenter holding in his or her work-worn hands tools that bear the marks of previous owners who also passed along pride, skill, and artistry … a carefully restored and rejuvenated old car bearing witness to stories of long ago.
Old varieties of fruits and vegetables or ancient breeds of livestock are also referred to as heirlooms. Gail and Stan Maynard, owner/operators of Orchard Hill Farm, enjoy the company of an heirloom breed. The traits of Scotch Highland cattle were selected over many generations by the forces of nature. As their name implies, the breed originated high in the mountains of Scotland, scrambling over rocks and blasted by North Atlantic gales. As a result, they sport long, thick hair and thrive on tough grasses in scrubby fields. They calve with ease and “mother up” well with rich milk and a watchful maternal eye vigilant for predators. Great long sweeping horns belie a quiet, gentle disposition.
These heirloom traits make the breed successful in northern Maine as well. Orchard Hill cattle thrive in the fields around the Maynards’ ridgetop home in Woodland. They are grass fed and organically grown, raised on pasture in the summer and large round bales in the winter. Though there is a barn, these animals have no use for it; in the worst of winter storms, they just hunker down in the groves of evergreens that dot the landscape, tails to the wind.
The quality of the meat from these animals reflects their upbringing; the distribution of amino acids and the lack of waste fat in the tissue in pastured animals is measurably different. The flavor is more intense, the texture is superior, and the health benefits of meat from animals raised as nature intended are well documented. Though not selected for, extraordinary cuteness is also undeniable; perhaps that is part of the treasured legacy passed down through generations.
Stop by the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market in the Aroostook Centre Mall parking lot on almost any Saturday morning to speak with Stan or Gail about Scottish Highland cattle, Orchard Hill Farm, or their other products for sale. They can share pictures, stories and recipes that will make your visit well worth the trip.
The Presque Isle Farmers’ Market contact person is Gail Maynard, who operates Orchard Hill Farm in Woodland with her husband, Stan. Their phone number is 498-8541 and their email is orchhill@gmail.com.
