A Tale of Two Farms

Rockport has had two long-running farms and the community hopes to keep it that way. On Thursday, December 6, 2007, an open forum took place where community members and friends of Aldermere Farm learned about the history and current status of the Erickson Farm, located on Route 90 in Rockport. This meeting also afforded people the chance to bring forth ideas about activities they would like to see on the property if Maine Coast Heritage Trust/Aldermere Farm and Maine Farmland Trust succeed in raising the necessary funds to preserve it. During the meeting, Ron Howard, Aldermere Farm General Manager, provided an overview of the Erickson Farm property project and the fundraising effort. Then, Maritta Wheaton, current owner, spoke about her family’s farm and the ways it has been used over the years. It was mainly a milking farm, but her family also raised much of the food they ate, including many varieties of apples and grapes, which are still viable crops on the property today. To conclude the meeting, attendees were invited to speak about their vision for the property. Most people saw an opportunity to connect the farm with schools in the immediate area, including the Rockport Elementary School, Camden Hills Regional High School, and the Ashwood Waldorf School. Many people feel that it is important to get students on to the property for agricultural programs. Other proposed uses included hiking trails, community gardens, forestry and agricultural education, demonstration gardens, and many other farming and gardening activities. As the project continues, Aldermere Farm will continue to hay the fields and graze cattle on the Erickson Farm, but there are enough good agricultural soils to do much more. Aldermere Farm is still seeking input, so if you have an idea for the Erickson Farm, please contact the Aldermere Farm office.