Bridge Farm, Dresden Mills, Maine
_________________
Kathy Coleman and Bob Howe purchased this historic farm in Dresden (est. 1763) in 2007. It is named for its founder Edmund Bridge, a housewright who was appointed High Sheriff of Lincoln County (which then comprised most of Maine) by Gov. John Hancock from 1782 to 1812.
In addition to the main house, there are two barns, a ‘guest’ house, a garage, a commercial kitchen, fixed and portable chicken coops, fixed and portable sheep shelters, pig pen, boat dock and sheds. There are currently about 3 acres under cultivation, about 10 acres of hay fields, and about 5 acres of pasture. The farm includes 2,400 feet of frontage along the Eastern River. We have a heritage sheep breed known as CVM Romeldale, as well as Romney-Merino-Columbia crosses, and a Border Leicester ram. We have two LaMancha milking goats. Three miniature donkeys help with predator control.
Our grass-fed broilers and laying hens, vegetables and hay are MOFGA-certified organic. Our vegetables, herbs and cut flowers are also certified organic by MOFGA. An 18th century period garden has been developed on the farm by Kathy and other Master Gardeners.
Bridge Farm is a member of COOPP (Cooperative Poultry Producers), an agricultural cooperative which operates a certified organic, state-inspected, processing facility, the only one of its kind in Maine. For more information on COOPP, see www.coopp.me.
Our lamb and pork is pasture-fed, without antibiotics. Our eggs, fiber, broilers, lamb, pork, artisan bread and bagels, and other products are sold at the farm, along with pasture-raised beef from nearby Eastern River Cattle Co.
Our farm store opened July 25, 2010, Open Farm Day and is open from 7 to 7 daily. Bridge Farm participates in Open Farm Day and the Maine Fiber Arts Tour. We will be expanding our CSA in 2011.
Last year we welcomed apprentices Mike Johnson and Erin Anderson, and their 2-year old daughter, Amara. With their help, we expanded our operations in 2010, and will do so again in 2011. We are very fortunate to have them with us.
Bridge Farm was chosen one of two farms which other MOFGA farmers will tour during this year’s Farmer To Farmer Conference, the first weekend in November. We welcome questions and comments from anyone in the area or beyond.
My gardening will never make me famous.
I’m a horticultural ignoramus,
I can’t tell a string bean from a soy bean,
or even a girl bean from a boy bean.
– Ogden Nash
18 April 2008 at 10:19 am |
Nice work on the blog! As always, beautiful photos….
15 June 2008 at 8:36 pm |
Hi Dad,
The blog looks great! What a nice way to stay connected to the farm while
I’m at school.
Keep up the good work.
3 July 2008 at 6:44 pm |
Greetings Neighbors, I was very much interested and pleased with “About Bridge Farm” article. I am trying to send this as a test. If successful will continue with my thoughts. Doris
3 July 2008 at 7:31 pm |
Dear Neighbors, I like the Bridge Farm Blog. I’m so pleased that you folks are that interested in the Town’s history. Charles Allen’s “History of Dresden” is very detailed but it ends at 1900. The next century has its own history and it should be recorded. Two of our grandparents , 5 generations ago, were part of the group that came from Germany and France, and settled this town as Frankfort plantation in 1752. I feel that genealogies and local history is very important for future readers, and your Blog is a great example for today’s and tomorrow’s readers. Another treasure is William Bartlett’s “Frontier Missionary- Memoir of Rev. Jacob Bailey A.M.” published in 1853 in Boston. An 1847 map of Lincoln County is an invaluable reference as it has the homes and names of occupants of that era.
8 November 2008 at 8:46 am |
Im adding this to my blogroll… well done, some day I’ll be singing from your hymn sheet! Ive only 7 hens, but cant wait for the day the numbers rise.
5 January 2009 at 2:28 pm |
Bob & Kathy, What a great website you’ve set up here. The photos are beautiful; it seems like you are really enjoying yourselves. I guess right now you are settling in for the worst part of winter. (I hope you both have “Nanook of the North” jackets!!!)
Coco does look like Murphy. Murph is a portuguese water dog. She’s 3 yrs old and about 45lbs.
Take care and enjoy. We’ll keep checking back to see what’s happening with all of the neat animals. I love the goats!
15 April 2009 at 1:58 pm |
Hi Bob,
I’m just sitting here in New York thinking about wood chippers.
If you are still willing to get a chipper with me that’s great but I’ll
give you my schedule then you can decide. We will be in Maine the weekend
around May 1. We’re going to Fedco to pick up our plum trees (need anything while we’re there?). The rest of the time will be devoted to brush piles. Michele had the idea of hiring some of the folks living on your farm to help me. Is that possible? Is it true that if you park a wood chipper too close to your house it will suck it right in? See you soon, Patick
15 April 2009 at 3:24 pm |
Yes, I have been spotting more deadfall as fodder for that fine machine. Once you know for sure what weekend, let me know and I can call to reserve a machine.
The larger chippers have been known to pull entire families, homes and flocks of large animals through them, rendering them totally unrecognizable but producing excellent, protein-rich mulch. It is always best to secure oneself to a well-rooted maple tree or a semi-trailer truck before starting them up.
I had hoped to order some trees from Fedco but never got an order in. Do you suppose there will be anything available without a prior order?
12 October 2009 at 5:41 pm |
My mother’s family is from Dresden. My mom used tell me stories about the Bridge Farm. Her great-grandparents lived there when she was little and she loved to visit – especially when Great-Gram made donuts. It was one of her most favorite places.
18 April 2010 at 4:49 pm |
Great to meet you guys today! And wonderful cheese. I want some turkeys!! Please. Very nice looking farm you have. Please send me emails as to “farm days”
All the best,
Jay
11 June 2010 at 7:01 am |
Just wanted to mention that the site looks great! You folks have really worked hard to make the farm beautiful and it shows! I’ll be over soon to clean up my kayak and Eva has been missing the donkeys! If you see a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo in your driveway,that’s me…just got new wheels!
22 August 2010 at 2:59 pm |
Hi Bob, Cathy, Mike and Erin,
We stopped by the farm on our way home from Popham yesterday and boy what a treat it was to spend an hour or so meeting you all, touring your farm, mingling with the critters, and admiring your beautiful gardens!
I couldn’t wait to eat my clay/brick oven bagel and organic, fresh eggs until this morning, so I had them for supper last evening! They were absolutely delicious and we tried the nut bread this morning for breakfast and were amazed at the texture and earthy flavor! We will be back for more!
Thank you for sharing your lifestyle, and your homestead with us. It was a pleasure to meet you and we will certainly pass on the word of the Bridge Farm in Dresden, Maine to all of our family and friends, near and far!
Thank you again for your hospitatlity,
Jennifer, Greg and Jacob
Hallowell, Maine
21 October 2010 at 3:09 am |
It is heartwarming to hear a farm run by tradition and you see it very clean and beautiful.
It looks very peaceful and a sense of team work within.
I love to have a farm like that!