Black Kettle Farm is 12 acres, with 10 open acres and 4.5 currently under cultivation. Since 2011, the farm has been a diverse and productive mixed vegetable operation, with MOFGA organic certification in 2013 and an Agricultural Conservation Easement with the Maine Farmland Trust in 2021. The farm operated as a successful business for 14 years with an emphasis on CSA, farmers’ market, and restaurant accounts. The property is predominantly Becket fine sandy loam with a slight slope and is considered prime farmland with soils of statewide importance by the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). For the last 2 growing seasons the vegetable fields have been fallow and cover cropped, and are currently in a mix of oats, peas and vetch.
The property has road frontage on 2 sides. In addition to the farmhouse, there are 2 unheated high tunnels (30x96 and 17x68), a propane-heated seedling greenhouse (20x36), a drilled well for field irrigation and a separate hand dug well that supplies the house, greenhouse, and wash station. The attached barn contains a 10X10 walk-in cooler, tool storage, CSA pick up area, large loft, workbench, and covered wash station with frost proof hydrant. In 2013, NRCS installed drainage tiles and a natural waterway in the main field, and there is also a 17 foot yurt on the property that can be used for seasonal employee housing. The seedling greenhouse and smaller tunnel need moderate repairs to be functional for the upcoming season.
The location of the property is ideal for a farm business, with local markets close by in Biddeford/Saco and Kennebunk, and larger markets in Portland and Portsmouth, both 45 minutes to the north and south. The farm is close to a hardware store, the town dump, the post office, a gorgeous lake, multiple grocery stores and the coast. As a corner, very open lot, the farm has fantastic roadside appeal, with great visibility and potential for on farm sales.
The land and home is ready to welcome the next farmer to continue the productive, successful and abundant legacy of this property! Although pretty turnkey for an organic vegetable or cut flower operation, there is still plenty of space for orchards, livestock, or other enterprises. Due to the Conservation Easement, the farm cannot be divided and must remain open. The next owner needs to be a “Qualified Farmer” with at least 1 year of tax returns demonstrating 51% of income from farming or a 3 year farm plan which includes income projections for a farm business or visions for homesteading and production for personal use.
The property will be shown from August 23 - September 13. Offers and farm plans will be accepted during that time period and responses will be given by September 16. All offers must include a farm plan.
Contact Julie Bayley to schedule a showing.
207-807-1947 - julie@bayleyrealty.com
