Since 1989, Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has hosted Maine Open Farm Day. This event is for farms what Maine Maple Weekend is for sugar houses — a way for local residents and tourists to experience Maine’s agricultural heritage by spending time at a working venue.
Maine Open Farm Day
According to Real Maine, the department’s website, the day is designed to let visitors discover the daily operations of a working farm. They can meet the animals and learn about crop production.
Also, they hope that visitors gain insights into sustainable farming practices, plus appreciate the importance of local agriculture and the journey food takes, from farm to table. It’s not just a catchphrase.
Finally, it’s a way to enjoy a day in rural communities across each of Maine’s 16 counties, with activities for all ages — from farm tours and demonstrations to hands-on experiences and local food tastings.
Tips for farm visits
They also offer the following tips for making the most of your visit while staying safe:
- Don’t Ignore Farm Rules: Follow all guidelines provided by farm staff to ensure safety and avoid disruptions.
- Don’t Wander Off: Stay within designated areas, follow marked paths to prevent accidents, and ensure you don’t get lost.
- Don’t Feed the Animals Without Permission: Always ask the farmer to ensure it’s safe and appropriate before feeding any animals.
- Don’t Startle the Animals: Approach animals calmly and quietly to avoid causing them stress or defensive behavior.
- Don’t Bring Pets: Leave your pets at home to prevent the introduction of diseases to farm animals and avoid stress or aggressive encounters.
- Don’t Touch Equipment: Farm machinery can be dangerous; only handle equipment with explicit permission and supervision.
- Don’t Leave Gates Open: Always close gates behind you to prevent animals from escaping and creating additional work for farmers.
- Don’t Litter: Dispose of trash properly to protect animals and the environment.
- Don’t Wear Inappropriate Clothing: To ensure a safe and comfortable visit, dress in sturdy, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes.
- Don’t Ignore Safety Signs: Follow all posted signs and warnings to keep yourself and others safe.
- Do check the local listings before you head out: Life on the farm can be unpredictable, and schedule adjustments may happen for any reason. Plus, you may find spots open on both days!
- Do plan to shop: There are plenty of options from home goods to farm-fresh food. Enjoy the best quality of perishables; use an insulated tote or cooler and keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot!
On Open Farm Day, most farms are open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. but not all. Double-check the schedule by looking at the local listings. You can also call the business — some have a recorded message to share updates or changes. You can also follow the farms on social media for up-to-the-minute updates.
Visiting Southern Maine Farms
In southern Maine, many farms are a short drive from more populated New England cities. This proximity offers the opportunity for a day trip or a long weekend. In addition, as you explore this area, you will get an excellent introduction to crops, farm offerings and local fiber products!
If you missed the Open Farm Day but are still looking for an agricultural fix, here are three of our favorite farms to visit. They are open all summer and offer a great opportunity to experience our region’s agricultural roots.
Frinklepod Farm
Located in Arundel, Frinklepod Farm offers produce, site-made baked goods, dips and salads as well as local products such as maple syrup. On Friday and Saturday be sure to sample the vegan ice cream. I’m not vegan and this is some of the best local ice cream that I’ve ever tasted.
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
This site is the only active shaker community in the world. Visit the Shaker Museum, sign up for a Shakers arts workshop, or visit the museum shop, which is filled with shaker crafts.
McDougal Orchards
Along with a farm store located in the barn of classic New England farmhouse in Springvale, this orchard offers walking trails and pick-your-own apples in season.
Open Farm Day 2025
Check back next year and we’ll be sure to update this post with the details about Maine Open Farm Day 2025. Unfortunately, we only heard about the event last minute in 2024. So we were able to visit just one farm. We promise to provide more details next year.
Things to Do in Southern Maine in the Coming Week
Here is a roundup of bargains and/or things to do in Southern Maine. This includes Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Portland, Maine and north to Brunswick along the coast. We also include inland communities in Cumberland and York Counties, and a tiny bit of Oxford County, too. This is all in the next week or so.
If we’ve missed an event you think people should know about, please drop us an email to let us know at news@southernmaineOnTheCheap.com or via our contact page.