Springvale Farm Walk

07/27/2025

Today is the day! Keep an eye out for these feather flags marking each stop along the Springvale Farm Walk route! Walking trails are marked with white arrow signs and each stop has a map. Longer term parking and restrooms are available at McDougal Orchards, Mousam Valley Mushrooms, Rivard Farm and the Sanford Community Garden.

Pick Your own at McDougal Orchards 201 Hanson Ridge Rd
Twin Maples Farm 252 Hanson Ridge Rd
Sky Island Homestead Springvale 273 Hanson Ridge Rd
Blueberry Bend 594 Hanson Ridge Rd
Mousam Valley Mushrooms 21-B Blanchard Rd
Noon Family Sheep Farm and Two Toad Farm 78 Sunset Rd
Rivard Farm 110 Blanchard Rd
Sanford Community Garden 246 Blanchard Rd
We are willing the weather to stay clear throughout the walk, but it is a rain or shine event! Pack your umbrella and poncho or take your car to some of the farms!

07/26/2025

We can't wait to see you tomorrow, Sunday July 27th for the Springvale Farm Walk!

All participating farms will be open from 10am-2pm. If you are planning on hiking, biking or walking your dog, remember to come prepared! The paths are mowed, but some cross through fields and woods, so we recommend closed-toe shoes, bug spray, sunscreen, hats and water bottles, and ALWAYS check for ticks after an outdoor hike!

So far the weather looks good, but it will be warm! Any predicted showers should hold off until after 2pm. See you soon!

07/25/2025

Lavender distillation demonstration during the Springvale Farm Walk!

Join us this Sunday during the for a lavender distillation demonstration on how we hand craft our lavender hydrosol from our organically grown lavender varieties. Curious what a hydrosol is and how it can be used? You’ll learn that too 💜There will also be a seed bomb crafting activity so stay tuned for more on that as well. ☺️

07/25/2025

During the Springvale Farm Walk-- Three Rivers Land Trust is hosting a Muffins with Friends breakfast and raffling a beautiful Maine-themed quilt to support the Sanford Community Forest!

"Join us at 9 a.m. at McDougal Orchards for the Springvale Farm Walk on Sunday July 27 and bring a friend because we are hosting “Muffins with Friends”. Make a donation to the Sanford Community Forest and enjoy a delicious muffin or quickbread and a cup of coffee or tea. Learn more about the Community Forest project and other land trust projects.

Help support the new accessible trail at the Sanford Community Forest and maybe win this beautiful quilt, donated by Tickets are $10 for 3 and are available online through our website or at Knots & Bolts (911 Main St.) We’ll also be selling tickets at the and the Springvale Farm Walk this weekend!"

07/24/2025

The stamps representing each farm along this year's Springvale Farm Walk are finally attached to their backing. This Sunday July 27th while you're walking, biking or driving to each farm, collect the stamps in your Springvale Farm Walk passport!
Passport booklets can be picked up wherever you start the walk, we're working hard to have enough for everyone who wants one!
Which design is your favorite?

07/22/2025

Beneficial insects are the coolest, and sometimes the cutest! The Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar has many unique disguises, but our favorite one is when it pretends to be a snake!
Learn more about the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly and more of our farmer's favorite beneficial insects this Sunday July 27th during the Springvale Farm Walk!

07/22/2025

Check out this article about the Springvale Farm Walk in the Sanford Springvale News, click the link below to read!

The Farm Walk is this Sunday, July 27th from 10am-2pm

https://sanfordspringvalenews.com/springvale-farm-walk-sheep-fruit-veggies-flowers-and-more/

07/22/2025

Banners are up, we're one week away from the Springvale Farm Walk!!!

07/18/2025

Here is some of what you can expect to see at the various stops along this year's Springvale Farm Walk on Sunday, July 27th from 10am-2pm:

At the Sanford Community Garden you can take a tour , learn about a plot planted by a grandmother and her grandson together, see a demonstration of planting into grow-bags for small spaces, bring your kitchen waste for a demonstration of backyard composting, and chat with a Plant Doctor to help you with gardening problems. Kids will have a series of activities and displays along the garden path, a pollinator garden, a worm farm and a sunflower hideaway! Kids can also make a butterfly feeder to take home, and don’t forget to top off your visit with ice cream and iced tea!

Pick blueberries (and maybe the last of the raspberries) at Rivard Farm and purchase other goods in their farm stand!

During the Farm Walk you can see the beautiful vegetable fields and pastures, and you might catch the farmers out working in their fields at Two Toad Farm!

At Noon Family Sheep Farm you will see sheep, a new donkey, llama, cows, chickens and more! And you may even see a short sheep herding demonstration from Jean’s trusty dog, Tip!

Stop by the outside stand at Mousam Valley Mushrooms to learn more about their operation!

Enjoy the views and pick your own blueberries at Blueberry Bend!

Sky Island Homestead Springvale, tour their pollinator garden and shop farmhouse products in their Lavender Ridge weekend store, then stick around to see a demonstration of how they distill lavender hydrosol!

Purchase garlic, scapes, and scape pesto for at Twin Maples Farm and enjoy a cup of switchel, a classic farmhand drink and better than gatorade!

At Pick Your own at McDougal Orchards, take a walk through their historic barn and farm store, and if you’re up for an extra hike, you can walk a loop to check on the American Chestnut planting and learn about their new pollinator areas!

To kick off the Springvale Farm Walk, Three Rivers Land Trust will be at McDougal Orchards providing “Muffins with Friends” breakfast options starting at 9am. They will have quick breads and muffins with gluten free and vegan options, plus coffee and tea. Donations are welcome and will go toward supporting the Sanford Community Forest.

07/11/2025

Farm Profile: McDougal Orchards

McDougal Orchards is a an eigth generation family farm specializing in growing high quality apples for sale to pick-your-own and farm stand customers. They are typically open August through October and grow peaches, plums, pears, apples, fall raspberries, pumpkins and winter squash. During the Fall harvest season you can also enjoy a walk through their historic barn, getting lost in their maze, apple cider donuts and weekend wagon rides.

The McAdam family is always thrilled to participate in the Springvale Farm Walk, they love being part of the farming community in Springvale and have a great time organizing this event with their neighbors. The Farm Walk also comes at the perfect time for people to visit the orchard to see all the work that has been done over the winter, spring and summer, and to get people thinking about early peaches and apples!

This year during the Springvale Farm Walk on July 27th, take a walk through their historic barn while you enjoy the "Muffins and Friends" breakfast put on by Three Rivers Land Trust , browse their farm store, and take a quick detour to see the American Chestnut Plantation and learn about their new pollinator plantings!

07/09/2025

Farm Profile: Sky Island Homestead

Carolyn, Josh and their family have curated a beautifully diverse space at Sky Island Homestead. They are happy to participate in the Springvale Farm Walk each year because they “adore community and are honored to steward the land. Being a part of the history of the region’s agriculture alongside other fantastic farms on the ridge is a privilege.”

Sky Island Homestead provides many products for the family, and an abundance which is sold at their roadside stand and on-site "Lavender Ridge Farmhouse" weekend market. They sell fresh eggs, garden produce, baked goods and a variety of lavender products. Carolyn says her favorite product is their lavender hydrosol which is featured in their soaps and body care. During the Springvale Farm Walk on July 27th make sure to stop in to see a demonstration of their lavender distilling process! You will also see their lavender, pollinator garden and species count, and possibly a chicken or two wandering over to say hello!

They have many diverse areas of their homestead, but they say their favorite is the orchard and pond area. Their mission is to bring lavender to the ridge for body care and culinary purposes as well as fostering wildlife conservation and biodiversity within a sustainable agriculture system. They also work to promote homesteading awareness and to foster community connections.

Stay up-to-date with Sky Island Homestead through their instagram and make sure to mark your calendars for their Fall Festival on October 18th, an opportunity to celebrate local artisans and farmers!