Bus tour to feature Maine farmers Augusta-to-Presque Isle trip to offer glimpse of region’s agriculture

AUGUSTA – A unique farmer-to-farmer bus tour later this month will provide those working or interested in agriculture a chance to get a closer look at what others in the industry are doing.

A series of tours is expected to link farms across the state; the first tour begins in central Maine and heads north to Presque Isle on Sept. 24 and 25. Transportation, meals and accommodations are provided by the tour, which is being sponsored by the Maine Farm Bureau.

“I feel that we really need to portray all of the valuable agriculture that exists in Maine, to other farmers for networking purposes, and to the public so that they will appreciate the food that is grown here,” said organizer Janet Spear, who is the wife of Maine’s commissioner of agriculture, Robert Spear. “This is a chance for farmers in other parts of the state to sit back and relax and see what farms are doing in northern Maine.”

The tours, put together by Spear with assistance from the Maine Farm Bureau, will allow other farmers and the general public a chance to view agricultural operations in central and northern Maine.

“This is a great opportunity to connect people with where their food comes from and market Maine-produced products,” said Toni Morton, Maine Farm Bureau media relations director.

“If this one in the northern part is successful, we can do a tour to southern Maine farms, tours in western and eastern Maine, also,” added Morton. “It would not be surprising if tourists added this to their list of things to do when visiting Maine, if we can set up a consistent schedule of tours.”

The northern Maine farm tours have limited room but are open to the public and include an overnight stay in Aroostook County. The first tour, scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25, includes visits to:

. Robert Fogler Dairy Farm in Exeter;

. Crane Bros. potato operation in Exeter and East Corinth;

. Roy Crane dairy farm and vegetable operation in Houlton;

. Jay McCrum potato washing operation in Mars Hill;

. Potato and broccoli harvesting operations in Aroostook County, escorted by state Sen. Richard Kneeland, co-chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation;

. McCain’s potato processing plant in Easton; and

. H. Smith Packing (broccoli) in Westfield.

The tour, which costs $130 per person, includes round-trip bus fare from Augusta to Presque Isle, overnight accommodations and meals.

To sign up or for information, contact Spear at 563-8101. Reservations must be made by Sept. 8.

“This is a first of a series of tours I hope to put together, which will get more information out to the public about how farmers operate and what they grow in Maine,” said Spear. A group tour specialist with Adams Travel of Damariscotta, she focuses on organizing agriculture tours in other states and other countries, including China.