Broadturn Farm is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm located 10 miles from Portland, Maine that raises vegetables and cut flowers. Our vegetables are MOFGA certified organic. The farm is famous for hosting barn weddings and events, and floral design for events off-site. Produce and flowers are sold in the dooryard farm-stand, FLORA*BLISS as well as through a traditional CSA program. FLORA*BLISS is also the site where all things floral design happen. The farm provides flowers and design services for weddings throughout Maine, NH and the Boston area. The farm is partnered with The Long Barn, a non-profit whose focus is on connecting the farm with the community through programming, like the popular Broadturn Farm Summer Camp.The property is in agricultural conservation with the Scarborough Land Trust. Formerly called the Keith Meserve Farm, the land is one of the largest farm properties in the Greater Portland area. It has 100 acres of open land and about 330 wooded acres.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do you do in the winter?
If we had a dime for every person who said something about having the winter off....
We spend a great deal of time huddled around the wood stove with laptops on our laps. We shop for seed and plan the garden for next season, rebuild the website, manage marketing for the CSA, Weddings and Flowers. We build and rebuild stuff. We READ READ READ. We love to watch movies and are obsessed with the inter-library loan (MINERVA) system at our local library. We spend many hours at the library, a treasured outing for all four of us. We play in the snow, cross country ski and shovel out the dooryard.There are chores to do twice a day and endless farm projects to work on. We are constantly trying to organize our house, barn, mind and can sometimes make headway in the winter. The winter affords us the quiet time to reflect on our choices, sleep more, and engage more cerebrally with the work of farming. Sometimes, we take a vacation!
We spend a great deal of time huddled around the wood stove with laptops on our laps. We shop for seed and plan the garden for next season, rebuild the website, manage marketing for the CSA, Weddings and Flowers. We build and rebuild stuff. We READ READ READ. We love to watch movies and are obsessed with the inter-library loan (MINERVA) system at our local library. We spend many hours at the library, a treasured outing for all four of us. We play in the snow, cross country ski and shovel out the dooryard.There are chores to do twice a day and endless farm projects to work on. We are constantly trying to organize our house, barn, mind and can sometimes make headway in the winter. The winter affords us the quiet time to reflect on our choices, sleep more, and engage more cerebrally with the work of farming. Sometimes, we take a vacation!
What's in a Produce share?
You can expect to eat as would if you had a large vegetable garden: greens in the spring, lots of midsummer veggies, and a good haul of fall crops which should last you well into the cold months of November and December. The spring greens can sometimes be sparse-- the cold of spring is always a challenge in a garden plan. Nevertheless, our goal is provide weekly:
- lettuce (sometimes 2 heads
- greens (light salad baby greens, or dark hardy kale or chard)
- someone from the onion family (from chives in June to leeks in October.)
- roots (carrots, turnips, radishes, beets, rutabagas...)
- herbs (cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, fennel)
- legumes and/or fruits (yes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash ARE fruits!)(berries and melon -- of course!)
Interspersed you can expect broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. There will be a goodly helping of green beans (though they may be yellow or purple) beets (though some might be yellow, not red) and a few heads of kohlrabi (what's that? You'll find out!)
A household of 4 hearty vegetable eaters are happy with the CSA distribution, with a modest amount of produce to store away for the winter. Freeze the extra tomatoes, find a cool place for onions and potatoes, put the winter squash in your pantry, and make an extra big soup and put half of it in the freezer for a cold day in January! (click here for more about the CSA)
A household of 4 hearty vegetable eaters are happy with the CSA distribution, with a modest amount of produce to store away for the winter. Freeze the extra tomatoes, find a cool place for onions and potatoes, put the winter squash in your pantry, and make an extra big soup and put half of it in the freezer for a cold day in January! (click here for more about the CSA)
Can I split a share with another family?
We try to leave these details to you. If you feel that a full share is too much for your household, you might consider a few things: Some distributions are difficult to actually "split" i.e. a head of lettuce, a squash that you intend on keeping around, or a quart of berries (in that it is sometimes hard to divide such a precious commodity!). Splitting is most easily accomplished with a neighbor with whom you can bargain for those berries! Otherwise consider splitting the share by alternating weeks with your split-partner. The drawbacks to this plan is that we often will alternate weeks of produce. (for example in terms of the root-crops:week 1= carrots; week 2= turnips; week 3=carrots again; week 4= beets; week 5=carrots AGAIN!... ) We design the CSA to appeal to those who take a full share with a good varietal mix, and we are unable to customize sizes or selection to a large degree.
We try to leave these details to you. If you feel that a full share is too much for your household, you might consider a few things: Some distributions are difficult to actually "split" i.e. a head of lettuce, a squash that you intend on keeping around, or a quart of berries (in that it is sometimes hard to divide such a precious commodity!). Splitting is most easily accomplished with a neighbor with whom you can bargain for those berries! Otherwise consider splitting the share by alternating weeks with your split-partner. The drawbacks to this plan is that we often will alternate weeks of produce. (for example in terms of the root-crops:week 1= carrots; week 2= turnips; week 3=carrots again; week 4= beets; week 5=carrots AGAIN!... ) We design the CSA to appeal to those who take a full share with a good varietal mix, and we are unable to customize sizes or selection to a large degree.
Are your flowers certified organic?
Volunteering at the farm is easy and fun. We look for help harvesting on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8 to 12 during the CSA distribution season (The first week of June through October). We welcome volunteers over the age of 18. If you are interested in programs in the field for children, contact our non-profit partner, The Long Barn.
What animals live on the farm?
This depends on the time of the year. Fall is the time to cull unproductive animals, and most of the males (minus Farmer John), but population builds back up in the spring as new chicks arrive, lambs are born, and the growing cycle starts again. There is always a flock of laying hens, averaging around 15-25. In the summer, we also have broilers, which is a specific breed of chicken selected for rapid growth and good meat production. Turkeys and ducks are also raised on the farm in the summer for their meat. We also keep a few pigs in the summer and sometimes another batch in the winter. There 3 cows, 2 are full Jersey dairy cows and one is a Jersey with some Holstein, who provide us with milk. They are the matriarchs of the barnyard. There are 4 cats, Baby Kitten, Goose, Rigby and Daisy. Goose and Rigby are brothers and Baby Kitten is their mom. Daisy is a recent addition, dropped off on the lane as a kitten with her siblings. They were all quickly snatched up. We have one working livestock guard dog named Stella who snuggles with us more than with the sheep. Stella is a Great Pyrennese/Marema mix. And don't forget the billions of micro-organisms on which we all depend.
This depends on the time of the year. Fall is the time to cull unproductive animals, and most of the males (minus Farmer John), but population builds back up in the spring as new chicks arrive, lambs are born, and the growing cycle starts again. There is always a flock of laying hens, averaging around 15-25. In the summer, we also have broilers, which is a specific breed of chicken selected for rapid growth and good meat production. Turkeys and ducks are also raised on the farm in the summer for their meat. We also keep a few pigs in the summer and sometimes another batch in the winter. There 3 cows, 2 are full Jersey dairy cows and one is a Jersey with some Holstein, who provide us with milk. They are the matriarchs of the barnyard. There are 4 cats, Baby Kitten, Goose, Rigby and Daisy. Goose and Rigby are brothers and Baby Kitten is their mom. Daisy is a recent addition, dropped off on the lane as a kitten with her siblings. They were all quickly snatched up. We have one working livestock guard dog named Stella who snuggles with us more than with the sheep. Stella is a Great Pyrennese/Marema mix. And don't forget the billions of micro-organisms on which we all depend.
.
Can I just come by?
If you are curious, by all means, come by. There are public trails in the woods, and if you want to stroll through the fields, you would be welcome there as well. Just keep in mind, the farm is a working landscape. Keep away from equipment, electric fences, and any area that might be in active production. There are events at the farm through the Long Barn Educational Initiative through which you can tour and gain a greater understanding of the farm.
If you are a CSA customer, we love to see your face at the farm. (though connecting names to the faces can sometimes be challenging...Help us out!) A satisfying CSA experience often depends on how close a relationship you can manage with the farm. Getting to know the landscape, the animals, walking down to the creek a couple times a season, chatting with one of the apprentice farmers, eating your strawberries on a blanket in the hay field are all options... Don't be a stranger!
If you are curious, by all means, come by. There are public trails in the woods, and if you want to stroll through the fields, you would be welcome there as well. Just keep in mind, the farm is a working landscape. Keep away from equipment, electric fences, and any area that might be in active production. There are events at the farm through the Long Barn Educational Initiative through which you can tour and gain a greater understanding of the farm.
If you are a CSA customer, we love to see your face at the farm. (though connecting names to the faces can sometimes be challenging...Help us out!) A satisfying CSA experience often depends on how close a relationship you can manage with the farm. Getting to know the landscape, the animals, walking down to the creek a couple times a season, chatting with one of the apprentice farmers, eating your strawberries on a blanket in the hay field are all options... Don't be a stranger!
Didn't I see you guys in a movie?
Maybe you did! We were part of the Meet Your Farmer series, 8 short videos about Maine farmers produced by the Maine Farmland Trust and skillfully shot and directed by Pull Start Pictures.
Perhaps you have! Stacy is a contributor to Taproot Magazine
Maybe you did! We were part of the Meet Your Farmer series, 8 short videos about Maine farmers produced by the Maine Farmland Trust and skillfully shot and directed by Pull Start Pictures.
What kinda tractor is that?
Our rig is a John Deere 5210 with a front end loader and a few attachments. We bought it used and it has proven to be our biggest and most useful investment for the business. We also have: an Allis Chalmers G (converted to electric), an International 140, and a ton of implements.
Have I seen your writing somewhere?Our rig is a John Deere 5210 with a front end loader and a few attachments. We bought it used and it has proven to be our biggest and most useful investment for the business. We also have: an Allis Chalmers G (converted to electric), an International 140, and a ton of implements.
Perhaps you have! Stacy is a contributor to Taproot Magazine
I want to start a farm. Can I come talk to you guys about farming?
The best time to have a general conversation about farming is either in the dead of winter over a cup of tea and a plate of cookies or working alongside us in the field if it is summer so we can work while we talk. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.
The best time to have a general conversation about farming is either in the dead of winter over a cup of tea and a plate of cookies or working alongside us in the field if it is summer so we can work while we talk. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.
What agriculture books do you recommend?
There are great publications put out by ATTRA, as well as SARE We are fans of Elliot Coleman's way of gardening, as well as the Nordells as featured in the Small Farmers Journal. That magazine also features lots of archival farming texts from the early 1900s and earlier-- excellent reading from a time before farms became chemically dependant. Cornell maintains a growing database of old agricultural texts.The Portland Room at the Portland Public Library has a great collection of Maine Agricultural Society's Yearbooks-- from the early 1800s! Awesome!!! Fast forward 200 years... as far as articulating this local food, sustainable farming movement Michael Pollan is as good a spokesperson as any. For a poetic and philosophic bent we turn to Wendell Berry. We've been aided tremendously by Carla Emmory's encyclopedia. Favorite seed catelogies: Fedco, Johnny's, High Mowing, and Baker Creek. We also read all manner of farming kids' books, and do so without any sense of irony. Little House, anyone?
How does it all get done?
How does it all get done?
It seems like people always ask this question in August when the fields are full of weeds and the crops need to be harvested, Flora is clinging to one of our legs or riding off madly into the road on her bike bound for adventures without a helmet and then Emma wants to borrow the car. Maybe this is just the image we see. Truth be told, we have a ton of help. John's parents are around in the summer and help out. Each year, we are amazed at what a solid crew we are lucky to find and the work our crew does to help keep everything going. John and I just orchestrate but they really make the music.
The Story...
John Bliss and Stacy Brenner share the work of running the farm and raising two daughters, Emma (17) and Flora (6). Both grew up in the suburbs of large cities, with no direct relationship to agriculture. They started farming together in 2002.
These girls make our hearts sing.
Where did you learn how to farm?
Sometimes we ask ourselves when we are going to learn how to farm. This is a bit of that impostor syndrome that presents itself in that path one takes from the "novice to the expert". We started out by enrolling in MOFGA's journeyperson program in 2002 and we grew food for a 100 share CSA in Cumberland. We had both had gardening experience but nothing on the scale of acres. That summer, we went to every farm training session offered, took out every book in the Portland Public Library on farming and dove in. It was learning-by-doing in the extreme. In retrospect, we must have been smoking crack because that was crazy. But, amazingly enough, our hard work paid off and we were astonished to find ourselves with a garden full of produce to distribute each week. This is not the path we would recommend for others, but it is the one that worked for us.
After 2 years in Cumberland at Sunrise Acres Farm, we hiked over to Cape Elizabeth to start our very own farm on a piece of rented land. After some searching and a lead from Farmlink, we established Turkey Hill Farm. The land had once been farmed, but it had been years. The setting of Turkey Hill Farm is darling. We started our first year with a 17 member CSA, 6 pigs, 4 lambs, 50 laying hens, 200 broilers, 25 turkeys and a small, cooperative day camp program. After 3 years, much thought and many conversations, we decided to relocate our business to Scarborough to a much larger piece of land with prime soils (no rocks). Upon leaving, we had grown our business into a 50 member CSA, an event site where we hosted weddings, parties and community movies, a small summer day camp with 32 children in attendance each day, and a more sizable livestock operation that we wanted to increase. The Scarborough Land Trust had purchased the 434 acre Meserve Farm and we felt our business could really flourish and grow there. We applied for tenancy when they advertised an RFP and were chosen as the farm tenants.
Moving was very unpleasant and happened to coincide with Flora's birth, but now that we are settled, and have a few growing seasons under our belts here, we are where we are meant to be. Our business grows modestly every year. Each year we add something new. The first year we added a dairy cow and it has been the single most beloved farm addition for all family members. We LOVE milk and cheese and butter and cream and all the things you can make with them. The second year we added pick your own strawberries and a farm chef (a.k.a. a friend who is a chef spent the season with us and cooked meals in exchange for a place to live) who cooked lunches for the crew...a miraculous improvement for busy summer afternoon meals when 8-10 hungry people need to eat. The third year we added fruit trees and lots of woody flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials, a door from the kitchen to the deck so people could stop crawling through the window at mealtime and a dump trailer, along with the clubhouse, a small timberframe building for our interns to use as a kitchen and hangout spot. The fourth year we added the "G", which is a project in the works, and few more pieces of equipment to streamline our operation, including a Japanese paper pot transplanter. 2 years ago we renovated buildings, one for a store and another for events and summer camp. We worked hard to learn to use all of our new equipment to prepare and cultivate fields and process produce and flowers. Last year, the focus was on fine tuning all the growth in our business, developing our farm store to be a real draw for the the community, and spinning the camp program off of the business and creating a non-profit educational arm of Broadturn Farm to manage and develop farm-based educational offerings, introducing The Long Barn Educational Initiative at Broadturn Farm, or The Long Barn for short. Our long time colleagues and friends, Beatrice Perron and Megan Dunn co-direct the non-profit. And, in 2012, we celebrating signing a 30 year lease with the Scarborough Land Trust. This year....its all about the flowers! Our plans include a major expansion of our perennial flower crops, including woodies (I always laugh when I use this term). And, I do believe we are going to build a tractor scale flame weeder.
We still pepper other farmers with questions, attend workshops and conferences, surf the Internet for the latest and greatest information about all things agriculture. With each passing season, we see something with new eyes that awakens our curiosity to keep learning about the challenges and appreciating the food on our table.
Sometimes we ask ourselves when we are going to learn how to farm. This is a bit of that impostor syndrome that presents itself in that path one takes from the "novice to the expert". We started out by enrolling in MOFGA's journeyperson program in 2002 and we grew food for a 100 share CSA in Cumberland. We had both had gardening experience but nothing on the scale of acres. That summer, we went to every farm training session offered, took out every book in the Portland Public Library on farming and dove in. It was learning-by-doing in the extreme. In retrospect, we must have been smoking crack because that was crazy. But, amazingly enough, our hard work paid off and we were astonished to find ourselves with a garden full of produce to distribute each week. This is not the path we would recommend for others, but it is the one that worked for us.
After 2 years in Cumberland at Sunrise Acres Farm, we hiked over to Cape Elizabeth to start our very own farm on a piece of rented land. After some searching and a lead from Farmlink, we established Turkey Hill Farm. The land had once been farmed, but it had been years. The setting of Turkey Hill Farm is darling. We started our first year with a 17 member CSA, 6 pigs, 4 lambs, 50 laying hens, 200 broilers, 25 turkeys and a small, cooperative day camp program. After 3 years, much thought and many conversations, we decided to relocate our business to Scarborough to a much larger piece of land with prime soils (no rocks). Upon leaving, we had grown our business into a 50 member CSA, an event site where we hosted weddings, parties and community movies, a small summer day camp with 32 children in attendance each day, and a more sizable livestock operation that we wanted to increase. The Scarborough Land Trust had purchased the 434 acre Meserve Farm and we felt our business could really flourish and grow there. We applied for tenancy when they advertised an RFP and were chosen as the farm tenants.
Moving was very unpleasant and happened to coincide with Flora's birth, but now that we are settled, and have a few growing seasons under our belts here, we are where we are meant to be. Our business grows modestly every year. Each year we add something new. The first year we added a dairy cow and it has been the single most beloved farm addition for all family members. We LOVE milk and cheese and butter and cream and all the things you can make with them. The second year we added pick your own strawberries and a farm chef (a.k.a. a friend who is a chef spent the season with us and cooked meals in exchange for a place to live) who cooked lunches for the crew...a miraculous improvement for busy summer afternoon meals when 8-10 hungry people need to eat. The third year we added fruit trees and lots of woody flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials, a door from the kitchen to the deck so people could stop crawling through the window at mealtime and a dump trailer, along with the clubhouse, a small timberframe building for our interns to use as a kitchen and hangout spot. The fourth year we added the "G", which is a project in the works, and few more pieces of equipment to streamline our operation, including a Japanese paper pot transplanter. 2 years ago we renovated buildings, one for a store and another for events and summer camp. We worked hard to learn to use all of our new equipment to prepare and cultivate fields and process produce and flowers. Last year, the focus was on fine tuning all the growth in our business, developing our farm store to be a real draw for the the community, and spinning the camp program off of the business and creating a non-profit educational arm of Broadturn Farm to manage and develop farm-based educational offerings, introducing The Long Barn Educational Initiative at Broadturn Farm, or The Long Barn for short. Our long time colleagues and friends, Beatrice Perron and Megan Dunn co-direct the non-profit. And, in 2012, we celebrating signing a 30 year lease with the Scarborough Land Trust. This year....its all about the flowers! Our plans include a major expansion of our perennial flower crops, including woodies (I always laugh when I use this term). And, I do believe we are going to build a tractor scale flame weeder.
We still pepper other farmers with questions, attend workshops and conferences, surf the Internet for the latest and greatest information about all things agriculture. With each passing season, we see something with new eyes that awakens our curiosity to keep learning about the challenges and appreciating the food on our table.
No comments:
Post a Comment