Runamuk Acres: Local eating and agriculture



Signs of spring are showing up all over the place! Lillian birthed two lambs the evening March 17, at Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm in New Portland. Check out the farm’s Facebook page. (Annie Twitchell photo)

Signs of spring are showing up all over the place! Lillian birthed two lambs the evening March 17, at Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm in New Portland. Check out the farm’s Facebook page. (Annie Twitchell photo)

Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm is gearing up for a summer of fresh veggies and exploration. Owner and Farmer Samantha Burns has expanded the vegetable garden to cover almost two acres. Planting will start in the next few weeks, with greens, radishes, turnips, carrots, onions, potatoes, green beans, dry beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, summer squash, winter squash, pumpkins and snap peas on the menu.

“It’s called the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm because I am committed to protecting and promoting wildlife through agriculture,” Samantha said. “By employing methods of regenerative agriculture and bee-friendly farming, Runamuk is able to promote the well-being of pollinators, soil microbial life, and other beneficial insects on our farm. Conservation of these keystone species allows for the development of a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem that coexists in harmony with its larger ecosystem and ecoregion.”

Members of Runamuk’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) will get first pick on the fresh produce, then the rest will go to the farm stand for anyone who drops in. Burns will be taking orders for curbside pickup as well. While Burns has offered fresh bread and baked goods through the winter, the summer growing season leaves her too busy to take orders from everyone, so she is limited those baked goods to CSA members.

Samantha Burns enjoying life on Runamuk Acres.

Samantha Burns enjoying life on Runamuk Acres.

Community members are invited to visit the farm and see the sheep and chickens, or take a walk on the Conservation Trail, an easy half-mile out to some wetlands. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome.

The flock of Finn sheep is expanding, with both ewes lambing this spring. Burns keeps the sheep for soil remediation and pasture management, and may be harvesting meat next year. She has the sheep shorn for good maintenance, but doesn’t currently utilize the fiber, so she is looking to partner up with a fiber artist. In addition to sheep, she keeps a rainbow colored flock of chickens and several hives of bees. She offers soap and candles made from beeswax in the farm store, as well as fresh eggs.

Runamuk Acres has several farm events planned for the summer, beginning June 20 with a Pollination Celebration. July 11, from 8 to 11 p.m., there will be a Firefly Festival. Maine Open Farm Day is July 26 and Runamuk will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. To end the season, there will be a Harvest Dinner for CSA Members Saturday, Sept. 12.

One response to “Runamuk Acres: Local eating and agriculture”

  1. Sharon Carruth says:

    Samantha is an amazing woman who had a dream that she has worked towards and continues to work hard to obtain it! I am and have been always impressed with this woman and what she is accomplishing! And let me add makes the best bread and muffins ever!!! <3

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.