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(Also see From a run out
hayfield to a prosperous organic farm in ten easy years.)
Overview
Snakeroot Organic Farm started in 1995 when Tom and Lois moved from Dixmont, where
they had been farming together for five years. We moved onto a run out hayfield in an
opening in the woods, and immediately began to improve the soil with cover crops and
compost.
Today we grow a wide variety of mixed vegetables, and culinary and medicinal herbs on
2 acres of gardens. We have a 2,700 sq.ft. greenhouse where we grow seedlings for
planting and for sale at market. During the late winter months the greenhouse is planted
with spinach, beet greens, radishes, lettuce and carrots for harvest during the month of
May before the field crops are ready. Then we transplant tomato and cucumbers in the
greenhouse for early harvest of those crops also.
In 2000 we began tapping maple trees in our sugarbush, and currently tap about 260
trees to make our own maple syrup.
Our major crops are tomatoes, garlic, lettuce, cucumbers, summer squash, basil, beet
greens, spinach and onions.
We have found it useful to dehydrate many of our crops, and all during the season you
may find dried basil, dill, oregano, sage, tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, carrots,
onions, and many more, including our specialty: cherry tomato raisins!
Although we grow some of our own garden seeds, most of our seeds are from Johnny's
Selected Seeds in Albion or FEDCO Seeds in Clinton. We believe in supporting small local
businesses that offer good value. After all, we are asking our customers to buy their
veggies from a small local business, too!
Every year we sponsor a guided tour of our farm, in
conjunction with MOFGA's Daytripping Guide. It is usually on the second Sunday in July,
from noon to 5pm. Bring your walking shoes, your camera and your gardening questions.
Where we sell
We sell almost all of our garden produce at four farmers markets, although
occasionally folks also come by the farm to shop.
In 1994 we helped start the Orono Farmers
Market. We attend Orono Market from 8am - 1pm on Saturdays from May to November and
Tuesday afternoons from 2 - 5:30 from July to October.
In 1997 we started the Pittsfield
Farmers Market. We sell at the Pittsfield Market on Monday and Thursday afternoons
from 2 - 6pm from early May thru late October.
In 1999, we were charter members of the Unity Farmers Market, where we attend Saturday mornings from 9am -
1pm.
In 2006 we helped start the Waterville Farmers' Market and attend every Thursday
afternoon from 2 - 6pm from May through October.
We also offer a CSA Plan (Community
Supported Agriculture) where shoppers can buy a $100 share by April 1 and can then shop
for $130 worth of produce from our stands or at our farm all season. This gives us some
operating funds at the start of the season before sales begin.
Our Literature
We produce a series of brochures explaining some of our crops and practices, and
offering information for cooks and gardeners.
Lupines. We grow blooming lupines in pots which we bring to market in June,
and offer lupine seeds which we offer all yearlong.
Garlic. This is a crop we offer in many forms, from garlic grass in May and June,
scapes in June and July, and bulbs in August thru November. We also sell garlic for
planting and sell garlic bulbils for planting or sprouting.
Tansy, Lovage and Yarrow. These three ornamental herbs are perennials that can
provide your home with beauty, teas, dried flowers, herbal first aid and insect
protection for your garden.
Our Tomatoes. This brochure describes many of the tomatoes we grow for harvest
and also offer for sale as seedlings. It explains the differences in tomato types to
help the gardener decide what to plant.
Get Real, Get Organic. This is a list of reasons you should consider buying
organic, pointing out what some of the problems with conventional produce.
Aloe. Aloe vera is a plant that is easy to grow, although we find many people
kill it through simple ignorance of what the plant needs. Aloe, the burn plant, is a
medicine cabinet in a pot, and every kitchen should have one.
Rhubarb. This brochure we did for the Maine Dept of Agriculture because there
wasnt one. It includes recipes and nutritional info. Every summer begins with
Rhubarb.
Leaves and Grass Clippings: We encourage folks to bring us their yard wastes
we can use in our compost piles.
We also have a web site on the internet. You can see pictures of the farm and
our setup at farmers markets, and see a list of everything we grow. Our web address is
http://www.snakeroot.net/farm.
Seasonal Availability
May: Carrots, beet greens, spinach, radishes, turnips, lettuce, rhubarb,
asparagus, scallions, parsley, vegetable and herb seedlings, perennials, house
plants.
June: Carrots, beets greens, spinach, lettuce, radishes, rhubarb, scallions,
vegetable and herb seedlings, giant tomato plants, perennials, blooming lupines, garlic
scapes, cilantro, dill, peas, chard, broccoli
July: Garlic bulbs & scapes, cukes, carrots, beet greens, lettuce,
radishes, scallions, tomatoes, zucchini & summer squash, basil, dill, cilantro,
picklers, snow peas, chard, celery, potatoes, green and wax beans, broccoli, kale,
peppermint, oregano
August: Tomatoes, cukes, picklers, summer squash & zucchini, beet greens,
snow peas, lettuce, chard, celery, garlic, potatoes, green and wax beans, broccoli,
basil, dill, cilantro, peppers, radishes, onions, kale, oregano, thyme, peppermint,
rosemary, horseradish, sage
Sept: Tomatoes, canners, cukes, picklers, summer squash & zucchini, winter
squash, onions, leeks, kale, chard, celery, garlic, lettuce, potatoes, green and wax
beans, broccoli, spinach, snow peas, basil, dill, cilantro, peppers, gobo, napa,
radishes, scallions, beets, carrots, rutabaga, oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary,
peppermint
Oct: Winter squash, potatoes, tomatoes, kale, broccoli, leeks, onions,
rutabagas, chard, celery, garlic, lettuce, spinach, dill, cilantro, sunchokes, gobo,
napa, scallions, carrots, beets, parsnips, oregano, thyme, rosemary, horseradish
Nov: Winter squash, potatoes, onions, rutabagas, leeks, kale, garlic, spinach,
gobo, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, beets, parsnips, sunchokes, horseradish
Version: 28-Feb-04.
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