Mary Ann and Marty came to Maine seeking 100 acres in the woods. We did not find that, but we found our 1850's farmhouse and 32 acres, mostly wooded in this small rural town in the Western Mountains of Maine.  Neither of us came from a farming background, but serendipidy led us to the place we enjoy today.

We have come to recognize that to be sustainable we must live our values, care for our natural resources, and have a level of profitability that can sustain us and the farm. Both of us are now choosing to engage full time in diversified farming. We find that farming allows us work at our own pace and according to our own values, which is very fulfilling.

Successful businesses have been an important part of our past experience. Mary Ann built and managed her own printing business for 10 years. She earned a Master of Arts degree after her children were grown. This was a self designed program that developed basic research skills. She has provided leadership for the Maine Women's Agricultural Network (WAgN) as a regional and state coordinator.

Mary Ann has always been energized by working outside in the woods, in the pastures with animals, and with building projects. Marty has retired from employment as a masters prepared registered nurse and nursing educator. She is the author of a nursing text book and developed a viable small business as a private practice lactation consultant.

Marty’s background in nursing education and childbirth provide useful skills with lambing time. She has always enjoyed handwork, worked with oils and watercolors, now transfers her creative artistic ability to fiber arts, especially dyeing and felting. She also enjoys teaching workshops and experiences great reward from engaging with people who appreciate her creative work.

We are both committed to life-long learning having attended many workshops offered by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Maine Women’s Agricultural Network (WAgN), University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Resource Conservation and Development districts (RC&Ds), and Western Mountains Alliance, Maine Grass Farmers, and Maine Sheep Breeders Association.

Active in community service, Mary Ann facilitated successful updating of the Comprehensive Plan for our community over a 3 year period. We feel strongly in the importance of local agriculture and participate in a local farmers network to build a more active and visible presence in the community. We recognize our community as important as our future resource base and choose to stay active in creating a community environment that will be sustainable for future generations.

Bubba and Mary Ann