Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 M AY 2 7 , 2 0 2 4 L O C A L LY G ROW N Home to 200 sour-cherry trees planted seven years ago and 150 orna- mental flowering trees of more recent vintage, Blenheim Park Estate and Orchards hosts events and photog- raphy workshops from May through late October, makes and sells a wide range of cherry-derived products from cocktail infusion kits to high-end bath and body products and rents out two lakeside cabins on the VRBO short-term rental platform. is season's events include an annual harvest and long lunch party in July, a "Prohibition Tipple — Roaring 20s Lawn Party" in August and a five-day photography workshop in September with the award-winning George Nobechi of Japan. Keeping with the vintage theme, picnics feature old-fashioned lawn games like croquet, tug-of-war, badminton and horseshoes — "just stuff that helps you slow down and take a step back from this digital life that we lead," Stailey says. Noting Maine's deep agricultural roots, she says, "A lot of local produc- ers have been engaging in agritourism for some time here. It just hasn't been called that." Running the business is no picnic for the Australian-born business owner and volunteer SCORE mentor, who learned about farming via YouTube videos and uses thousands of ladybugs every year to rid the trees of nutrient- depleting insects called aphids. Clover and wildflowers are also left alone throughout the orchards for bees to pollinate, "so we don't need to be tak- ing anything away from the land." Cherry farming requires patience, since the trees typically don't start producing until their fifth year and Blenheim Park's are just starting to reach full production. Payne said she expects to harvest around one ton of fruit every year within the next couple of years, and that 18 ornamental trees planted six years ago as 4-foot sap- lings now stand 20 feet tall. "We're eager to see the entire orchard reach this size a few years from now," she says. 'Shift the model' Overnight accommodations on farms vary widely, from empty fields for RV hookups to cottages, yurts and farm- house bed-and-breakfasts. As a member of the nationwide Harvest Host network, Eureka Farms in the Somerset County town of Palmyra regularly hosts overnight visitors in campers on its 185-acre maple farm. ough visitors can only reserve for a night, Hollis Edwards — who owns the farm with his son, Seth — says the arrangement is good for both parties. "It gives them a great place to stay in one of our fields, and they can go in our store and buy whatever they want," or shop on the online store later, he says. While temporarily stepping back from hosting this year to work on other proj- ects, he remains a fan of Harvest Host which he recommends to other farmers. "If the only place you've got to put a camper is beside a manure pile, you can be a Harvest Host," he says. Opting for a different formula at Old Crow Ranch in Durham, Seren and Steve Sinisi added a 69-square- foot tiny house for guests in 2019. ey raise pasture-based pork, beef and chicken on a farm they bought in 2008. Called the Crow's Nest Tiny House, the year-round lodging can accommo- date up to four visitors, with bookings busiest in summertime. Besides selling their meat and other local products at their farm store, the couple host events from potluck pig roasts to "Date with a Farmer" educa- tional visits. "We're paying our bills and building what we've got, but the profit margin is still pretty low for the intensity of the work," Seren says. "My hope is that we can shift the model to less animal units, or seasonal animal units, and do more agritourism and value-added — more classes, more cooking, and once you do that, the value suddenly skyrockets." Catherine Caswell is also cooking up a new chapter at the Caswell Farm & Wedding Venue on 48 wooded acres in Gray. Fully booked with weddings until 2025, she also runs a catering business and is building a commer- cial kitchen for a cooking school called A Little Something at Caswell Farm. Classes will start this summer with pizza, as she served during the pandemic to keep her business afloat. at unexpectedly helped her get to know her neighbors, some of whom have shared stories new to her about her grandfather, who bought the farm in 1936. Less than five miles away at Ten Apple Farm, the owners have their hands full with their growing herd, including babies Chive, Sorrel and Rhubarb who are bottle-fed and are kept out of harm's way in a barn adja- cent to the house. But farm life isn't all cuddles and warm fuzzies, and Schatz notes that "there's a lot of homework to do before you jump in." "We love our animals, we love gar- dening, we love the life that we've been able to give our daughters growing up on a farm and having that work ethic … but it's a lot of work," Hathaway says. Holding two squirmy baby goats in their arms, the couple wouldn't have it any other way. Renee Cordes, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at rcordes @ mainebiz.biz F O C U S A lot of local producers have been engaging in agritourism for some time here. It just hasn't been called that. — Kerry Payne Stailey Blenheim Park Estate and Orchards P H O T O S / F R E D F I E L D Kerry Payne Stailey of Blenheim Park Estate and Orchards in Bremen is a self- taught cherry farmer with a background in international consulting. The Blenheim Park farm store features a cherry-themed eclectic mix of products.

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