Tell us about Maine

[quietintheland]

We are considering expanding our search from the Midwest to include Maine. The reason are wanting to establish a larger sugarbush. We've had limited success locating suitable and affordable property in the Midwest.

I'm attracted to the area between Skowhegan and Bangor. Would like to hear from folks in this vicinity, as well as other small scale syrup producers.

Thank you,

Quiet in the land

[ET1 SS]

We moved to Maine in 2005. We live a bit North of Bangor, though still in the Southern half of Maine.

We have about 10 acres that produce fiddleheads, maybe 100 mature maples that can be tapped.

No droughts [ever], 92% of the state is forest, 52% of the towns are unorganized, there are lots of rivers, lakes, ponds. Maine has over 3,000 miles of coast line.

Land prices can be very low [beware realtors that focus on out-of-state buyers].

Taxes can be very low [it varies by town, some towns mil-rates may be 5X higher than neighboring towns].

As the nation's farms are in decline, Maine has more farms each year. More Farmer's Markets, and a lot of awareness to buying local produce.

After a military career, we have lived in a lot of other places. From our experience this is a much lower Cost-Of-Living, as compared to the places we have been stationed.

[HappySevenFarm]

I loved my time in Maine and lived on the coast in a small town called Sullivan. I had 47 acres but it had mostly red maples so there was lots of boiling to get a gallon of syrup and the syrup had a very different taste than a sugar maple. It was still very good but just different so make sure you know the different maple tree varieties.

[Whisperwindkat]

I don't live in Maine, but my sister does and I have been up to visit several times. She lives in the southern portion of Maine. Several things I have noticed on my visits. Maine is very small farm friendly, the local governments and the people support small farmers well. It seemed like every town had a farmer's market on the weekend along with permanent farm stands. I stayed a week last summer and we didn't step foot inside a commercial grocery store for meal preparations. The state is beautiful. Maine seems to have a good bit of cottage industry, but not a lot of big industry. Basically you have to make your own income. I know that Christmas gifts from my sister come from local artisans and there is always something different. But she says there are not many jobs in Maine and that it is actually a poor state in that area. Her words not mine. However, like I said Mainers seem to find a way with small cottage industries. Winters can be hard, especially the closer to the Canadian border you get. Anyway, that is what I know of Maine. I would move there in a heartbeat if I didn't have a husband who is terribly allergic to the cold and I wasn't depending on finding a job there. Blessings, Kat

[woodsy]

Originally Posted by quietintheland

I'm attracted to the area between Skowhegan and Bangor. Would like to hear from folks in this vicinity, as well as other small scale syrup producers.

Thank you,

Quiet in the land

I have lived in Skowhegan and Canaan to the east, currently about 1/2 hr west of that area. What would you like to know about in particular ?

Here is an article about maple syrup production in the area.
We sugar some years for our own consumption when time is available.

http://www.centralmaine.com/2013/03/...maple-sundays/

[philm]

I dont live there but went to Maine for my honeymoon last June. We mostly stayed around Penobscot and Blue Hill peninsula. I loved it there, prices in that area for land seemed pretty pricey though. We saw and toured a lot of organic farms... it was a great trip.

[ET1 SS]

Originally Posted by philm

I dont live there but went to Maine for my honeymoon last June. We mostly stayed around Penobscot and Blue Hill peninsula. I loved it there, prices in that area for land seemed pretty pricey though. We saw and toured a lot of organic farms... it was a great trip.

All of the tourist region along the coast is 'pretty pricey'

It is good to hear that you had a great trip.

[Tricky Grama]

We stayed in a cabin on Worthley Pond (mid-west) a month summer of '12 & same place for 6 wks, this yr, came home 10/1. We love it & found the people to be great. Loved all the county fairs, festivals.
Sorry don't know anything about real estate $.

[quietintheland]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Sorry, limited internet access here.

Ideally we'd like to do some market gardening and maple syrup production to sell at farmers markets and elsewhere. Perhaps start a small bulk/dry food type of store. I'd like to be within an hour of decent shopping/supplies, hence wanting to be close to the I-95 Corridor and between Bangor and Augusta - but not too close.

QuietInTheLand

[mrs whodunit]

Somebody has their place in Maine for listed here on Homesteading

Found it.

40 Acre Maine Farm Reduced $50,000