Name: McDougal Orchards
Address: 201 Hanson Ridge Road
Springvale, Maine 04083
Phone: 207-324-5054
Website: www.mcdougalorchards.com
Email: webmaster@mcdougalorchards.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/McDougalOrchards
Products and Services:
Pick Your Own
Apples, Pears, Raspberries and Flowers
Products Available in Farm Store
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-Apples
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-Tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables
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-Local honey
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-Local jams and jellies
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-Local maple syrup
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-Local venison when available
- Cider (around Labor Day)
- Capt Jack's Cider Donuts
- Dried flowers and fall ornamentals
- Pumpkins and winter squash
- gift packs of fruit (shipped if needed)
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-gift packs of donuts (shipped if needed)
Things to do
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-Fairy Village
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-Corn Maze
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-picnic areas
- Many miles of trails for hiking
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-Hay Rides (Labor Day - Columbus Day,
weekends and Holidays, 10am-4pm, weather
permitting)
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-Capt. Jack’s Donut Shack (open Labor Day
weekend, weekends and Holidays)
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-school and group tours
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-birthday parties
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-Geocaches on the property (outside the orchards)
What Makes McDougal Orchards Unique?
Many years ago when southern Maine residents
spoke about a trip to McDougal Orchards, it often
focused on the picking or purchasing of apples. The late Robert McDougal and his wife, Pat, were the first owners of an orchard to introduce the idea of “pick your own apples” in the state of Maine in 1972. McDougal Orchards still remains a popular destination for the purchase of apples, but people are flocking to the beautiful farm on Hanson Ridge Road for many additional products and offerings.
Diversification has proven to be a vital factor in
McDougal Orchard’s success. The family offers twenty-six varieties of apples (including several heritage types) that are available from early August through October. Nine varieties of peaches can be purchased from early-to-mid August through mid-September. Different types of nectarines, plums, and pears are also grown and sold. The pick-your-own concept has expanded from apples to the harvesting of pears, raspberries, and flowers.
In regard to vegetables, greenhouses have been constructed for the cultivation of various types of tomatoes on the farm. Cucumbers and other vegetables, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, corn stalks, and hay bales are also sold.
Jack McAdam operates the orchard in partnership with his wife, Ellen McDougal McAdam. Ellen’s mother, Pat McDougal, still plays a vital role at the farm. While many individuals know Jack for his thirty-two years of service as a Captain of a Fisheries Research Vessel with NOAA, many local and out-of-town residents associate Jack McAdam with his expertise in making apple cider donuts! A visit to McDougal Orchards on the weekends and holidays often also means a requisite stop at Captain Jack’s Donut Shack, where fresh apple cider donuts, and coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are served. In the fall, mulled cider and pumpkins donuts are offered.
Several individuals have chosen to support McDougal Orchards by purchasing shares and becoming members of their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs.
In a recent email, Polly McAdam shared that McDougal Orchards “sold our farm stand on 202 in Lebanon to the wonderful people of Two Toad Farm, but we hope to provide them with fruit and cider whenever we can.”
Over the years, visiting McDougal Orchards has become a tradition for many individuals and families. There was an interest among many customers to have some of products that are sold at McDougal Orchards to be transported to different locations. The farm has set up arrangements to ship apples and fresh donuts throughout the country!
There are several reasons why people who are living far away might want to receive apples or donuts from McDougal Orchards. The farm has such a welcoming nature and has provided many special memories for its visitors. A variety of tours are offered for schools and organizations. Companies often choose to spend the day at the orchard. Birthday parties and special events are planned on the property. Available activities include hiking the miles of trails and enjoying the farm animals that are on display. There are geocaches on the farm and hay rides are offered on weekends, weather permitting, from Labor Day through Columbus Day.
The Corn Maze and creating whimsical structures in the Fairy Village have proven to be real highlights. Children love the opportunity to explore the open spaces and the trails and enjoy playing on the swingset. There are picnic tables and a beautiful painting of a tree that includes the measurement of various heights situated on the tree. It serves as a unique growth chart and as a perfect spot for photographs so returning young visitors can calculate their development over the years.
Other factors which have contributed to the success of McDougal Orchards is the respect that the farm has earned throughout the community and the entire state. The late Robert McDougal and Pat McDougal continue to be admired for their friendliness, civic-mindedness, generosity and amazing work ethic. The farm has a long history of participating in Open Farm Days and in supporting the work of the Maine Pomological Society. Ellen serves on several committees and boards including the York County Farmers Network and the Maine Pomological Society. Jack is a member of the Sanford Planning Board. The farm is the home course for local cross country running meets.
If readers take the time to check out the Affiliations webpage on the farm, it is quite impressive to view all the organizations with which McDougal Orchards has formed ties. Reaching out to the community has always been a priority at the farm, and individuals can keep abreast of all the developments and news through the McDougal Orchards’ email newsletter. Recipes are shared on their website.
The sense of generosity exhibited by McDougal Orchards is clearly recognizable as there is no
admission charge to the farm, the wagon rides, or any of the farm activities. Visitors are welcome to ski or snowshoe on the property. McDougal Orchards is also known for their generosity over the years to food pantries and those in need. They accept SNAP/EBT and WIC vouchers.
Another aspect of the farm that appeals to many visitors is the historic feel of the property. The 450-acre farm was purchased back in 1779 for fifty-two pounds and ten shillings by Joshua Hanson. It has always been home to agricultural endeavors for the descendants of Hanson for seven generations. The historic barn is an impressive structure where a farm store is now located. Inside the store, local products such as the maple syrup, honey, and venison (when
available) from are sold. Handcrafted baskets, lovely artwork, and historical pictures and memorabilia are displayed throughout the barn.
Perhaps one of the most significant developments that has taken place at McDougal Orchards over the years was the decision of Robert and Pat McDougal, the owners of Hanson Farm. Inc. (now called McDougal Orchards) to preserve the orchards, fields, pastures, and woodlands forever. Their son, Evan McDougal, was instrumental in introducing the idea and helping with all the necessary arrangements to see that the easement materialized. With the assistance of various entities such as the Land for Maine’s Future Program and the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program, and Maine Farmland Trust, the McDougals granted an agricultural conservation easement on their farm. Robert McDougal said, “We are doing this to slow sprawl and protect farmland to make good land available for future farmers in York County.”
In 2002, the town of Sanford approved the donation of an easement on the Town Farm as a match for this Land for Maine Future’s farmland project. Dr. Bud Johnson, the President of Mousam Way Land Trust, endorsed the easement and stated, “This property is the keystone parcel in this effort because it connects all parcels owned by Hanson Farms, Inc.”
How fortunate that the residents of York County have such a peaceful and productive working farm to enjoy. The legacy of the conservation easement, which Robert and Pat McDougal and their son, Evan McDougal, so thoughtfully arranged, and which now is embraced by their daughter and son-in-law, Ellen McDougal McAdam and Jack McAdam, is a living testament to the importance of agriculture and conservation in the local community.
