CARIBOU, Maine — A steady stream of guests came to Micmac Farms and toured the aquaculture facility, met local farmers from across the County, and event participated in some games during the farm’s July 28 “Open Farm Day” event.
Despite a brief, but intense, downpour of rain, many still came out to see the variety of offerings at the Presque Isle Road farm. It was one of several in Aroostook County participating in the 30th annual Maine Open Farm Day.
“It’s always great to see the community come out to the farm,” said Micmac Farms Marketing Manager Jacob Pelkey, “and it’s encouraging for us to be supported by them, and to have a facility that other local farms can utilize.”
Micmac Farms Manager David Macek said this is the second time they have held an Open Farm Day, adding that the farm has held numerous festivals in the winter and also regularly appears at the Presque Isle Farmer’s Market.
“We have a pretty good turnout today,” said Macek. “I think our crowd today may be better than last year’s.”
Staff photos/Chris Bouchard
Pelkey said a major focus of the event was allowing the public to tour the farm’s land-based aquaculture facility for raising fish.
“People seem to enjoy going in there,” Macek said. “It elevates their confidence greatly to see how the fish are being raised.”
He said it makes a big difference to people that the facility raises the fish in a sustainable, green, and humane manner that is not releasing any waste into the environment.
While many farmers were present during the Sunday event, several others came to sell goods ranging from crafts, baskets, and jewelry.
Charlotte “Charlie” Hanning, Beth King, and Bonnie Murphy all sold jewelry together in one part of the building, and said Open Farm Day has provided them with a great opportunity to speak with members of their community.
Hanning said she has been making jewelry for three years seriously while also working in the mental health field.
“I love it,” she said. “I do this just to zone out, and my father had a jewelry store in Houlton many years ago.”
Hanning said she met King and Murphy through being placed in the same location during open events at the Micmac Farms facility, and they all say they work well together and that they’ve been able to learn from one another.
“This is the best thing they ever did for the nation,” said Murphy, “because it brings in a lot of people who realize what we have here, what we can do, and what we can teach people.”
Across the room Angela Littleton and her son Delano Littleton sold a myriad of crafts made of rope, ranging from baskets and trivets to bags and purses.
Littleton said she has been making rope products for the past year and a half, which she sells online and also at local farmer’s markets.
“I use 100 percent cotton rope thread, and try to use recycled fabrics when I get the chance,” she said, adding that she will also create custom orders.
The process of making a basket can take about “a couple hours,” Littleton said.
“It’s time consuming,” she said. “You have to watch every stitch and can’t look away or else you’ll mess it up. It’s a quiet time when I make them.”
Macek said the Open Farm Day event is “always a lot of fun,” and typically draws large crowds.
“After this event ends we’re going to be open Tuesdays through Saturdays,” he said. “Our products are also available at the Presque Isle Farmer’s Market.”
Micmac Farms, located on 1353 Presque Isle Road in Caribou, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
