Wishing You a Happy and Safe 2007 Holiday Season

Upcoming Events

November and December:
 Order Holiday gifts from Tide Mill Balsams

January 15-17, 2008
Agricultural Trade Show, Augusta

May 24-25, 2008
Annual Plant and Seedling Sale,Whiting

July 27, 2008
Open Farm Day at
Tide Mill Farm.
 See: getrealgetmaine.com

Sept.19-21, 2008
Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine
www.mofga.org
See you there!

If you do not like the weather in Maine…

This past week we have found the ‘ole saying to be true: If you do not like the weather in Maine, wait a minute!” Yesterday the sunrise warmed the thick frost of a 22° night; today the dawn was ushered in by warm winds nearing 60 degrees.  And now Hurricane NOEL. . .

As we scurry about with…

the frantic ‘gotta-get-done-before-winter’ chores, we reflect on a busy year….

Grassland was nourished and hay land increased, many heifer calves graced the herd, milk continues to be picked up by Hood and marketed under the Stonyfield label and plentiful organic vegetables and seedlings were sold in the markets on Tide Mill Farm and throughout Washington County.

Six thousand pasture-raised meat birds have grown, been processed, and delivered throughout New England, pigs and chirpy turkeys browse the pasture, nestling in the new 90’ hoop house, and two varieties of salami were added to the pork product inventory.

The six-pack young cousins (see photo at left) of the ninth generation have grown in so many ways.

The blueberry crop was plentiful and it was great to have three tractors/ harvesters working on local lands that we manage, the summer was absent of violent thunderstorms (although hail hit some blueberry land) and  wonderful visitors made their way to our vacation, rental Farmhouse. The Up Country Artists celebrated their  15th year here! The exploration and processing of alternative fuels has begun. Cut-to-length wood harvesting has allowed delivery of  wood to mills throughout Maine.

Many visitors toured here by booking with Tours of Lubec and Cobscook and spring and fall brought many school children to connect with their local farmers and animals on our ninth generation farm.

A mobile home, with addition, near Aaron and Carly, is slowly becoming a home for Jesse, and a major house addition is underway at the Bell/Furths.

A very dry summer transformed into a very wet autumn, eagles and vultures soar in the winds and we continue to marvel at vibrant sunrises over Cobscook Bay and golden sunsets over Bell’s Mountain..

~ Happy, Healthy New Year to all! ~