WILLOW CREEK — Henry Farr had never seen so many people on his land. On July 23, during the annual Maine Open Farm Day, 340 visitors walked the fields, inspected the chicken coops, and lined up at the Farr Family Farm stand — more than triple last year’s turnout.
“We ran out of eggs by 11 a.m.,” Farr said. “I had to send my daughter to the neighbors to borrow two dozen.”
Maine Open Farm Day, coordinated by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, invites the public to visit participating farms across the state. This year marked Willow Creek’s strongest showing, with Farr Farm joined by O’Flaherty’s Maple and the Thibeault berry operation.
Farr offered hayride tours of his 120-acre property, a U-pick herb garden, and demonstrations of his new drip-irrigation system. Three visitors inquired about the farm-stay pilot program opening next year.
The day’s total direct sales hit $2,100 across fresh produce, maple products, and handmade soaps from the General Store’s local-crafts table, set up on-site for the event.
Niall O’Flaherty reported that his sugarhouse tours drew 85 visitors, and he sold $680 worth of syrup and candies.
“It’s the best marketing we get all year,” O’Flaherty said. “People drive three hours to see us, taste the syrup, and then they reorder online for Christmas.”
The farm-stand subscription program Farr launched in response to the demand has already enrolled 14 families for weekly vegetable boxes through October.