- Blog Posts (4)
- Discussions (2)
- Events (1)
- Groups (4)
- Photos (26)
- Photo Albums (1)
- Videos
Darren Allen's Groups
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Farm to School
51 members
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Maine Food System
38 members
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Maine Farmers' Markets
41 members
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Mead (aka Honey Wine ) L…
14 members
Darren Allen's Discussions
How do you define a healthy food system?
One where it doesnt include .99 cent pork at Wal-mart
Replied Nov. 4, 2009
Darren Allen's Events
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9th Annual Soil Quality Conference
February 9, 2010 at 7am to February 10, 2010 at 7pm – Bangor Motor Inn
Darren Allen's Page
Latest Activity
Thanks Sue couldnt remember the phone#. Its a process is all Im saying
depends on what your selling as I understand it. Vegetables fruits etc doesnt need to have a license. Meat, jellies, maple syrup etc. you need a license. As far as insurance we got liability insurance on our business. thru farm Family. You can downl…
Im interested in reading the material.
The sub zero temperatures returned this week after a brief January thaw. Last week I felt like a truck driver delivering customer orders to Portland (twice) and Bangor. Many many thanks to those who ordered the pork and lamb. On m travels I stopped…
Anyone attending?
9th Annual Soil Quality Conference at Bangor Motor Inn
February 9, 2010 at 7am to February 10, 2010 at 7pm
2 day seminar on natural soil treatment
Its nearing the end of January and I dont know where the month went. We have submitted our seed order to FEDCO and Johnny seeds and are planning to create more garden space this spring. I got really excited when ordering the seeds (wow seed ordering…
Alright, thanks.
Profile Information
- Where in Maine do you live and eat?
- Western Maine
- What issues are you and/or your group interested or expert in?
- farmland protection, health and nutrition, food justice, home gardens, food and faith, hunger and local foods access, farm to restaurant, farmers' markets, local foods marketing and distribution, food coops, GM-free seeds and genetics
- Are you a food producer? If so, what types of food do you produce?
- vegetables, berry fruit, maple syrup, beer, meats
- If you produce foods of some sort, please choose one of the following:
- I produce foods for sale to others
- If you produce foods for sale, where or how can Mainers buy them?
- website
- Other info about Me (please mention any food, fishing, agriculture, or community groups you are affiliated with):
- Raise pork and Katahdin Sheep as well as homemade preserves such as Jams, Jelly, relish.
- Website (if any):
- http://www.votervalefarm.com
Darren Allen's Photos
Darren Allen's Blog
The new website is here
The sub zero temperatures returned this week after a brief January thaw. Last week I felt like a truck driver delivering customer orders to Portland (twice) and Bangor. Many many thanks to those who ordered the pork and lamb. On my travels I stopped and saw some people I hadn't seen in a long time. Good to see people when I get out, which doesn't happen very often but usually happens in the winter because their isn't much to do outside after the animals are fed and the Central Boiler is filled w… Continue
Posted on February 3, 2010 at 11:00am —
Jan.
Its nearing the end of January and I dont know where the month went. We have submitted our seed order to FEDCO and Johnny seeds and are planning to create more garden space this spring. I got really excited when ordering the seeds (wow seed ordering exciting? Never would have imagine huh?) thinking of planting in the warm sun with the family around us. Usually the boys are throwing clumps of dirt at each other and having fun. Maybe one day they will help, but I dont think so.
Recently we sent ou… Continue
Recently we sent ou… Continue
Posted on January 21, 2010 at 6:29am —
First significant snow.....
December 9 saw a storm dump around 7-12 inches of snow here in the Western Maine mountains. I was quickly trying to get things under cover and off from the lawn so the plow guy wouldn't hit them. (my father in law plows our driveway and does a tremendous job). The bad news with the storm came colder than normal temperatures and very high winds which caused some issues like the water freezing in the barn. I had thought I had made it freeze proof, but back to the drawing board. Yesterday we borrow… Continue
Posted on December 14, 2009 at 6:11am —
Prepping the garden for next year and more
Well that is what I started out to do, prep the garden for next year. But alas my age old equipment didnt exactly work with me. I purchased a bag of winter rye which I use as a cover crop on the two parcels of garden area. The rye does two things, 1) is a green manure so when I roto till the garden in the spring it adds natural nutrients to the soil 2) covers the ground so the earthworms (yes worms) can do their magic just beneath the surface, earthworm activity is very helpful by adding natural… Continue
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 2:06pm —
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 12:48pm on January 5, 2010,
Laura Tirrell Grady said… - Hi there. Nice Tamworths. We had them when we farmed in New Hampshire, they were my favorite. Are those Katahdins? We have them and we are starting a Clun Forest flock. Happy New Year!
Laura Grady
- At 9:22am on January 5, 2010,
Mary Ellen & Austin Chadd said… - Most Portland restaurants are into purchasing from any Maine farmer, regardless of distance, based on quality. Sometimes you can get near retail pricing selling to restaurants (but you know more about selling meat than I do, since we have no animals, yet). Here is a new friend of mine in NH who is also doing pastured pork, but in the Portsmouth area: http://www.newrootsfarm.com/ He is working with some spice mixers to try to create specific blends for his froz. sausages. Gourmet-positioning.
From your website, it looks like you sell out. If you want to increase production, and market a meat CSA to urban areas -- there is a CSA fair organized in downtown portland every winter, make a brochure, and you'll likely have 20+ folks sign up, and you could ship to them, or they could pick up. Just a thought, if you want to get in on the urban direct market. I can't remember who organizes the CSA fair, which is for all farmers, fishermen all CSA's and not organic only, but you can email the marketing specialist at MOFGA, melissa@mofga.org she will tell you when it is. It's in the old colonial UU church in downtown Portland, next to city hall. There are also CSA fairs in Lewiston, Augusta (I think), based on farmers' interest each year -- maybe you know about it already, here's the post on Eat Maine Food! http://www.eatmainefoods.org/events/event/show?id=2003922:Event:11325
Talk to you later,
Mary Ellen
- At 6:12pm on January 4, 2010,
Mary Ellen & Austin Chadd said…
- Nice web site; we're still workin' on ours. Glad to meet another market farmer. Wish we inherited a farm like yours. 'Gotta make NH Kielbasa and our potato oven chips. Nice to meet you!
- At 9:22pm on January 1, 2010,
Cassie Sears said… - Hi!
- At 10:54am on September 27, 2009,
Connie said… - Welcome! Hey, forget FaceBook, this is the place to be. Can't wait for bacon and lamb! I have you listed on my page. Best, Connie.
Latest Activity
I want to grow corn for the first time. I live in Bangor with very acidic clay soil. What seed would people recommend? Can I find a seed that is similar to the maize that Native Americans once grew?
We are looking for more vendors for the market in Windham. Seafood, vegetable and soap. We are having a meeting on Friday 2/12 at 6p at St. Josephs College. If you are intested and/or have questions, email karen@motherherbmaine.com . You can also…
- By Land and By Sea: Connecting Maine's Farming and Fishing Communities on March 5, 2010 from 9am to 10:15am
- By Land and By Sea: Connecting Maine's Farming and Fishing Communities on February 28, 2010 from 5pm to 7pm
Check it out - Penobscot East's CSF made it on Channel 5 this weekend. Recognize anyone in the footage?
FRESH movie showing at Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church
February 26, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm
The movie FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Potluck, movie, discussion. Childcare available.
Hi Cassie,
For insurance, see your current agent and ask for a liability rider to cover you at farmers' markets.
For permits, see the Maine Dept of Ag permits page for such things as processed foods.
Links to a few [farmers' market aware] insurance…
Thank you for the responses. They have been very helpful.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please get in contact with Laura Campbell at sweethollowsfarm@gmail.com
We hoped to be located in the AmVets parking lot/field, (across from Hodgeman's Frozen Custard) right on rt. 100.
Thank you!
La…
Are there any in the Oxford Hills area? or the Lewiston / Auburn area? I have cut flower bouquets (in season) and think a buying club is a great idea.
Share your experiences, thoughts and questions about consumer buying clubs.
Cassie, I agree with the below messages - go to the Dept of Ag website or call someone there and find out what you need for a license depending on what you sell. I sell perennials and it is a quick form and it comes back just as quick. I carry liabi…
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