Farm Partners
Maine is home to several pasture-based livestock farms. And the demand for home grown meats is increasing. We are the gateway between the two communities.
Farmers’ Gate is proud to partner with a growing list of Maine farms in order to supply you with year round pasture-raised meats. In addition to being committed to continuous improvement, our farm partners must meet our four basic criteria: (1) pasture-based farm system; (2) respectful treatment of animals; (3) sustainable use of resources in their farm practices; and (4) good and honest people. Here’s a current list of farms with which we are proud to partner:
Alma Farm, Porter – Pasture-raised Pork
Geof and Gina Hancock live on a mountain top in western Maine, where they raise beef and pork and grow organic veggies. In addition to enjoying the beautiful view, their critters are given the freedom to run around and express their natural behaviors. All of their animals are in the open air, foraging about throughout their time at Alma Farm. Their pigs are given local, whole grains and sustainably harvested micro-nutrients as often as possible. No medicated feed or hormones are used. They believe that their critters should be well loved.
For more information about Alma Farm please visit: http://www.almafarm.com
Bisson and Sons, Topsham – Slaughter Services, Dairy Products
The Bisson Family has farmed in Topsham for a great long while. They have accumulated generations of knowledge and skills that result in high quality raw dairy products in invaluable slaughter and butchering services that help many small livestock farmers get their products to market. We are proud to partner with Bisson and Sons. Their slaughter services are respectful and professional, and they always allow Farmers’ Gate to send a representative to observe the process when we have the time. Seeing the slaughter helps us communicate with our customers and makes us better butchers.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/L-P-Bisson-and-Sons-Meat-Market-Farm/105990019346
Dorolenna Farm, Montville – Organic Pastured Poultry
Farmers’ Gate Market is proud to partner with Dorolenna to offer certified organic chicken. Andrew Marshall, when he is not coordinating all of MOFGA’s education programs, grows beautiful birds, organically. He uses hatcheries that have breed for traits that are conducive to growing outdoors on pasture. As an organic producer, no antibiotics or hormones are used and all feed is GM free.
Foss Farm, Wales – Grass Fed Beef
Ken Foss has been raising grass fed beef on his family’s farm for many years. He breeds his own and all his cows have access to hundreds of acres of some of the best grazing and haying pasture in the area. Ken also owns Foss and Sons Equipment, which specializes in pasture-based farm equipment. He provides equipment and services to many pasture-based farms throughout Maine. As a cow-calf operation, he also sells yearlings to several small-scale pasture-raised beef producers.
Little Alaska Farm, Wales – Grass Fed Beef, Free Range Eggs
Roger and Linda Fortin started it all with their vision of Little Alaska Farm Market. Though the market has changed its name to Farmers’ Gate and now partners with several pasture-based farms, we are still proud to offer Little Alaska grass fed beef and free range eggs. No pesticides are used in treating their pastures and their beef are feed grass throughout the year.
Meadowview Farm, Monmouth – Pasture-raised Pork
Guy Bates has recently added pigs to his mix of livestock. With a converted dairy barn, Guy has made creative use of his barn space to give his pigs comfortable room in the winter and lots of pasture in the summer. Guy doesn’t use medicate or hormone-laden feed and is trying to encourage his pigs to eat as much grass as he can…he even feeds out some haylage in the winter.
Nelson Family Farm, Palermo – Grass Fed Beef
Troy Nelson continues a family tradition of farming in Palermo, ME. He has converted his herd to a grass only diet. His cows enjoy fresh pasture from May through November (as well as some beautiful western views) and they are given plenty of haylage and hay over the winter.
North Star Farm, Windham – Pasture-raised Lamb
Phil and Lisa Webster continue a long family tradition of raising sheep in Maine. Their ewes and lambs are given plenty of pasture and a small diet of whole grains, barley and oats. No antibiotics or hormones are used.
For more information about North Star Farm visit: http://www.nsfarms.com/
Oaklands Farm, Gardiner – Pasture-raised Beef and Pork
Oaklands Farm, the home of the Gardiner family for 250 years, is located along the western shore of the Kennebec River. Their beef cattle are raised on the farm eating only 100% certified organic pasture grasses, dry hay, haylage (wet stored grass), and some grain (spelt) during the winter months, which is grown organically and harvested on-farm. They never use any artificial hormones, supplements, synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides in raising cattle or growing feed.
Old Crow Ranch, Durham – Pasture-raised Beef and Pork
Steve Sinisi uses a strategic rotational grazing system to provide high quality grass to his herd, while building nutrient levels on his 40 acres of open pasture. In addition to fresh grasses, the cows are also fed dry hay and haylage as well as a small amount of locally grown mixed grain. No pesticides or herbicides are used in growing grass.
Shultze Farm, Eliot – Pastured Poultry
Shawn Putnam joined Shultze Farm, which specialized in dairy. Shawn brought with him several years of experience in pasture-raised poultry. It has turned out to be a great match. The birds love the alfalfa and they do a great job distributing nutrients. Though grazing is encouraged, the birds do receive supplemental feed consisting of corn, soy, and minerals and nutrients. No antibiotics or growth hormones are used.
Valley View Farm, Auburn – Pastured Poultry
Kathy Shaw and Joe Gray believe their animals should always be treated humanely, with the utmost respect and consideration. They are kept clean, provided ample food and water, and are given the space to express their natural behaviors. Their chickens are raised in large, moveable pens called "chicken tractors". The birds peck around in the grass and enjoy being outside in their natural habitat.
For more information about Valley View Farm please visit: http://www.valleyviewfarmme.com/