Seeking the next stewards of my magical farmstead property in Cornville (Skowhegan), Maine! This is a very special, gorgeous piece of land, 12 acres having been lovingly cultivated with regenerative practices by an expert permaculturalist for over ten years. It is home to a 1200 ft sq 2 bedroom farmhouse, barn, orchards, chicken coop, planting fields, pasture and meadows, raised beds, greenhouses, a pond, woodland, American Chestnuts, sugar maples and more. I personally cannot reside there over the next few years and so am dedicated to getting the right people in to love and care for it, experiment and create with it, call it their home and continue nurturing it as a cradle for regeneration, creativity and community. Photos can be found here. Rent is $1800/month plus utilities, though some flexibility may be possible for the right set of people.
The property is approximately 12 acres and has a secluded feel, with the farmland descending down a gentle slope to a pond at the far end. It sits next to a historic church and cemetery and across the road from preserved woodland. In addition to the structures listed above, it also includes:
--Orchards: Two orchard areas, one mature orchard inside the chicken run with plum and pear trees that have been pruned ongoing and fruit abundantly. Another young orchard of apple outside the coop in one of the wildflower meadow areas.
--Pens and growing fields: There are two pens between which pigs have lived and rotated, so they are very well fertilized. Both have pig pens that are operational and could also use a little love. The lower pen (approx 60,000 ft2) was cleared of tree growth in the last few years with the help of these pigs, offering new growing or livestock opportunities. In addition, there is one large fenced-in growing field (approx 20,000 ft2) with one zone more recently cultivated and a second zone laying fallow for the last couple of years.
--Meadows & Woodland: The property holds some beautiful wildflower meadow areas with one area containing the apple orchard and two others sitting on their respective hillsides. These are able to be mowed or scythed to supplement livestock diets and serve as important insectories for the health of the ecosystem. Alternatively they could be converted to more cultivation spaces. There are pathways cut all around these meadows lining the perimeter of the property which make for a nice daily walking route. On the other side of these can be found the woodland that holds the far ends of the property.
--Pond: At the base of the hill there is a pond home to cattails and pond life. A favorite feature are the dragonflies that help hold the mosquitoes at bay. Over the next year or so this will need to be redredged for basic maintenance.
--Special trees: An extra special feature are the American chestnuts that live here. An important part of residing here, in compliance with the Conservation Easement (see section below) is to continue to support their vitality and experiment with methods to stave off the blight. The woods also have plenty of sugar maples which you can tap for maple syrup.
This land has been loved and cared for meticulously over the years by its long-term resident, a close friend of mine, who is moving on to a next chapter. We hope the incoming residents will honor this legacy and further coax out the land’s potential while also contributing their own creative vision. It has been cultivated with regenerative, permaculture-based practices which form part of the sacred guiding philosophy of its maintenance. This is a chemical-free zone with only very limited use of plastics or input of fossil fuels (i.e. occasional gas-powered lawnmower or limited-scope project with tractor rental). It is very important that the new residents continue these practices.
I am so excited about welcoming in new residents for a next chapter, who will bring their own vision, flavor and innovation to the land and care for and invest in it as their home, potentially for the long term.
The right people who find their way home here:
-Will have at least a base level of skill and experience in farming, gardening, homesteading, maintaining land.
-Be handy enough to conduct basic maintenance and repairs independently.
-Are up for maintaining the heat in winter through the woodstove and hardy enough to embrace a Maine winter.
-Be excited about bringing their own vision to life, in alignment with regenerative mindsets and practices.
-Are adaptable, resourceful, experimental and enjoy the physical, rewarding work of the homesteading lifestyle.
-Build a personal stake in the longevity and vitality of this land, potentially for the long term.
-Value being in community with neighbors, friends of the land, and with me.
-Uphold open communication about their plans in partnership with me and with the Maine Farmland Trust (see section below)
-Have a solid plan and means for consistently covering rent and basic expenses.
The area: The area
Cornville is a subsection of up-and-coming Skowhegan. The farm is 15 minutes from downtown Skowhegan and 25 minutes from the larger town of Waterville, home to the growing Colby College. Both Skowhegan and Waterville are experiencing development periods with lots of interest in investment and entrepreneurialism. It is easily accessible to outdoor adventure sites including Lake George in Skowhegan, The Forks, various ski mountains. The home is 20 minutes to Interstate 95; 60 minutes West of Bangor; 50 minutes north of Augusta; 90 minutes north of Portland.
Forever Farm: The land is held in a Conservation Easement by the Maine Farmland Trust and is listed as a “Forever Farm,” meaning it cannot be subdivided, must be continuously cultivated as a farm or homestead, and cannot be developed with additional substantial structures without the blessing of the Maine Farmland Trust. The chestnuts are of particular interest to its conservation, providing a fun opportunity to tinker with their vitality. It will be important to steward the relationship with the MFT through basic communications about the farm plan and the minimal compliance required, which the tenant and I can manage together.
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