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State of the art brings the old back to life
Officials tour Pineland Farms
By Elizabeth Prata

New Gloucester--From tomatoes to micro-greens to beef cows to restoring old barns and farmhouses, Pineland Farms is busy.

Libra Foundation Vice-President Craig Denekas invited Gray Councilors, State Representative Susan Austin, and others on a tour last Thursday to see first-hand Pineland Farms' commitment to maintaining agricultural viability in the twenty-first century. Libra Foundation owns Pineland.

Denekas said that Pineland Farms bought the 900+ acre Wilsondale Farm, known for its prized beef herds, in 2001. They have acquired the 200 acre Collyer Brook Farm, an organic dairy farm, the 20-acre Broad Park Equestrian facility, the 136-acre Gillespie Farm, and the Roberts Farm (130 acres) over the last few years. Right, Gray Councilors Jack Goosetrey, Chair Pam WIlkinson, Lynn Olson. The Monument: Prata photo

"What can we do in the twenty-first century so these operations can provide income, remain productive, and retain the rural character of these towns?" Denekas posed to the group. The dozen participants piled on to the mini-bus provided by Pineland Farms, and they were driven from site to site for two hours over the border of Gray and New Gloucester as the group heard about their widespread operations. These operations also extend into Pownal and North Yarmouth.

Denekas continued, "We see that these farms have educational value through their outreach and farm programs." He cited a new operation of cheese and butter making, horse breeding, and livestock raising thorough collaboration with Wolfe Neck Farm in Freeport, and educational symposia and clinics open to the public throughout the year. Pineland is also collaborating with local schools.

Of high interest to the group was the close look at the hydroponics tomato and greens operations on the Pineland Campus in New Gloucester. New Gloucester grower Scott Howard leased the space from Pineland in February 2004 and is currently growing enough tomatoes to sell 2,000 pounds per week. Left, Howard. The Monument: Prata photo

Howard explained that hydroponics means that the tomatoes are not grown in dirt. They receive all their nutrients thorough a drip similar to an IV one receives in the hospital. "We support the plant in what it wants to do, produce fruit," Howard said. The plant is suspended gently from the ceiling and can grow to 40 feet high.

The plant's pests are controlled naturally, its strength is supported with the lines and pulleys, and the food it receives is checked, and if necessary, adjusted every two hours. The interior light levels and temperature and humidity are maintained through "natural convection"- the air rises and escapes through ceiling vents. The walls of the hydroponics greenhouse are a rigid polycarbonate material with extremely fine mesh to thwart bug intrusion. As they entered the greenhouse itself, the participants were instructed to put cloth slippers over their shoes, so as not to bring in any dirt or organic material that would contain pests. Below: They said it couldn't be done...year-round tomatoes in Maine.

The assortment of different varieties can grow as much as 6 to ten inches per week. There is a 7-week turnaround from seedling to sale, Howard said. The tomaotoes are allowed to ripen on the vine, "so that they have a higher sugar content and taste better," he said.

The trays of micro-greens were a new item, Howard said, that restaurants and grocery outlets in Boston and New York are interested in. The greens are regular greens such as lettuces and herbs, but are sent to market at a very young stage. They were all only as big as a pinkie fingernail. The greens are used as a salad garnish.
The group continued to the old dam station off Depot Road. Denekas explained that the brook eventually connects with the Collyer Brook, good for canoeing and kayaking, and the trails leading up and away from the pristine site are used for horse trails. Pineland will soon finish the trails and open the area to recreational opportunities. Left, micro-greens, sold to outlets in Boston and New York.

The Broad Park Equestrian Center will be used for Therapeutic Riding and public lessons, and the Equestrian Center atop the hill at the Gray-New Gloucester line will be used for breeding and shows.

The tour ended back at Merrill house at Wilsondale Farm, where Pineland Farms restored the old farmhouse to as close to exactly the way it was in the mid-1800s. It will be used for overnight accommodations for groups that participate at events in Pineland.