If folks visited all of the farms listed as being open for Open Farm Day and the Springvale Farm Walk, they would find lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, honey, mushrooms, beef and poultry. They could put away some warm alpaca clothing for the winter or buy wool and alpaca yarn to make their own. Then, after all that hard work, they could drink beer made from local hops, or wine from a local vineyard.

Open Farm Day ”“ and the accompanying Springvale Farm Walk ”“ are set for Sunday, when folks can wander around and enjoy being on the farm. There will be tours and attendees can pick local fruit, buy local vegetables, see demonstrations, and ask lots of questions of those who work on the land.

Open Farm Day, sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, is in its 26th year. It is a statewide event designed to offer the public a chance to learn about the business of agriculture, sponsors say.

One of the York County farmers, Darlene Ham, who with her husband Kevin operates Blueberry Hill Farm in Acton, said the high bush blueberries are plentiful and delicious. The couple has 10 acres of blueberries. Blueberry Hill Farm has been taking part in Open Farm Day for many years.

“For Open Farm Day, we will have a variety of blueberry baked goodies for people to sample and free recipes,” Ham said. She said people are welcome to visit, meet the farm animals, and pick some berries.

Springvale Farm Walk ”“ which offers a four-mile trek through fields and woods from one farm to another, is in its second year. Sponsored by participating farms, Sanford Trails Committee and Three Rivers Land Trust, those who choose to visit the Springvale farms can start at any one of them and visit as many as they like, said Lee Burnett, one of the organizers. The farms are, for the most part, in the Hanson’s Ridge and Deering Ridge area of Springvale. 

McDougal Orchards has long been associated with Open Farm Day and eagerly took up Springvale Farm Walk in 2014.

“It’s great to get out and see what we do,” said Ellen McAdam, co-owner of McDougal Orchards, where tomatoes and early apples will be in season. “It’s a perfect time of year and these farms are right in your backyard.”

Burnett said parking for the farm walk is at McDougal Orchards, Carpenter Christmas Tree Farm and Rock Island Hop Farm and Sanford Trails Committee is providing a shuttle service to get people back to their vehicles. Folks who collect stamps from all of the Springvale Farm Walk farms earn a one-time 10 percent discount on selected items at the farm of their choice, Burnett said.

Three Rivers Land Trust is serving breakfast at McDougal Orchard from 8-9:30 a.m. The breakfast is $5 for adults, with children under 5 years old dining free.

A little later on, Harris Farm in Dayton is hosting Lunch on the Land in their back meadow, featuring burgers from their own beef, corn, milk, salads and more. Picnic proceeds benefit Goodwin’s Mills United Methodist Church.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].