The County 2020 | Aroostook County Tourism Regional Guide | Page 49

AGRICULTURAL ROOTS
©Paul Cyr Photography
OUR ROOTS RUN DEEP IN THE COUNTY.
Since the 18th century, potatoes have been the region’s main
agricultural product, thanks in part to fertile soil and strong backs.
Today, growers focus on certified seed, processing, table stock, and specialty
markets like potato chips. We celebrate our signature product annually with
the Maine Potato Blossom Festival, hosted by the town of Fort Fairfield.
Aroostook County’s premier, family-friendly event, the festival coincides with
the gorgeous sight of millions of potato blossoms coming into bloom. The
festival features the ever-popular Potato Queen pageants (five this year),
a f loat parade, music, fireworks, good eats, and more.
But potatoes are only the beginning! Ten percent of Aroostook is tillable
farmland. Drive alongside endless fields full of broccoli, cauliflower, wheat,
corn, berries—the list goes on. Malt barley and hops are grown for Maine’s
booming craft brewing industry.
©Michael Gudreau Photography
At smaller family farms, you’ll come upon greenhouses full of colorful
flowers, tomatoes ready for early harvest, or pick-your-own strawberry fields.
Goughan’s Berry Farm in Caribou features a unique corn maze every fall.
Some farm stands have foraged fiddleheads packaged to go, or you can pick
them yourself. These are a tasty treat, cooked until tender, then tossed with
dressing. Another must-have is Aroostook County maple syrup. The sap is
collected and processed the old-fashioned way—tapped and then boiled.
Many also offer other products, like apple butter, herbs, or homemade soap.
Numerous farm stands still go by the honor system: shop on your own,
then drop your money into the payment box.
CHECK OUT WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Bouchard Family Farms, Fort Kent | Ployes.com
Misty Meadows Organic Farm, Grand Isle | Facebook.com/MistyMeadowsOrganicFarm
Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, Littleton | OldPlow.org
Maple Meadow Farms, Mapleton | Facebook.com/MapleMeadowFarm
Knot II Bragg Farm, Wade | KnotiiBragg.com
Goughan’s Berry Farm, Caribou | Facebook.com/Goughans
©Paul Cyr Photography
Visit our website for more information about agricultural events and
attractions in the region.
VisitAroostook.com
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