From Sebago Lake Road in the White Rock area of Gorham, Orchard Ridge Farm looks much as it has for the last several springs, but new owners, with extensive experience in farming and restaurant management, have been hard at work creating an “open and inclusive” community destination on the 38-acre property.
Kristen Walker and Erica Gottshalk, and their mother Mary Walker, purchased the farm with its store, house and out-buildings last August.
The sisters grew up in Cumberland, where they helped in their family’s large vegetable garden and raised pigs and chickens. Both were active in 4-H, exhibiting at the Cumberland Fair.
After attending the Muskie School of Public Policy, Kristen worked in restaurant management. She began farming four years ago at Maine organic farms in Denmark and Gray. Her sister Erica’s first job at fourteen was at an apple orchard. After high school, though, Erica went into hotel management and worked at several large Portland hotels.
“But our hearts lay in earth work, and we wanted to create something for ourselves,” Erica said. “For years we kept an eye out for property.” When Orchard Ridge Farm came on the market, the women saw an opportunity to realize their dream.
Over the past ten years, the previous owners, Amy and Steve Bibula, had planted fourteen acres of fruit trees and blueberries; they sold chickens and eggs. The farm store stocked specialty products and had a limited take-out menu. From this start, the three women are developing a plan for sustainable expansion with a community focus.
Photo courtesy of Orchard Ridge FarmThe new owners’ family at Orchard Ridge Farm. Left to right Mary Walker, Will Gottshalk, Erica Gottshalk, Wesley Hamel, Christopher Sferra (a family friend) and Kristen Walker. Wesley, Erica’s son, is a student at Great Falls School.
“We want to be stewards of the land with as low an impact as possible,” Kristen said. They soon will be adding raspberries, as well as peach and cherry trees. Laying hens produce eggs for sale in the store and wholesale to local restaurants. The farm store stocks even more locally-produced food products such as jams, sauces, cheese, and ice cream. Wine, craft beer, pizza, sandwiches, pies and pastries are among items available for take-out every day but Monday. They plan to add fresh produce from local farms. Goats are coming in April, and when they have a year-round shelter they may add cows and rabbits.
Although they hope to have a low impact on the land, the family wants to have a greater impact on the surrounding community by offering special events, hiking trails, and workshops. “We are open and inclusive,” Kristen said. “Our trails are open seven days a week for walkers.” One entrance gate is close to the Mountain Division Trail.
Monthly happy hours at the picnic area are a way to introduce people to their wine and beer stock and to encourage convivial gatherings. “The area is developing rapidly, but there is a lack of places for people to communicate,” Erica believes.
Her husband Will sells barbeque from his truck in Portland and will bring it to Orchard Ridge for community events. Other plans include workshops and classes in popular topics such as tree pruning.
The business is on Facebook and Instagram, and a roadside signboard advertises upcoming events and farm store specialties.
The sisters are transitioning to being full-time farmers and business owners, but they still have connections to the hospitality industry: Erica in Portland and Kristen at MK Kitchen in Gorham. Mary still works as a nurse.
As their own business grows, however, the sisters hope their enthusiasm, love of the land, and skills developed working with the public will make Orchard Ridge Farm the welcoming, community-driven place they envision.