What Makes Sunrise Farm Unique?
To some individuals, Phil and Jackie Doak
of Woodland, Maine, might be considered
to be small-scale farmers. They raise some
sheep and chickens and tend gardens. They
were chosen to be profiled in the Unique Maine Farms’ project because they are such positive
role models of individuals who have chosen farming as a way to keep active during retirement.
The Doaks operated a FTD and Teleflora florist, gift, and greenhouse business on Washburn Street in Caribou for thirty-two years. They were the largest grower north of Augusta for many years. The Doaks enjoyed
a reputation of being hard workers that ran a
solid, welcoming business. Phil credits his business expertise from the lessons he learned while working as a manager at a Woolworth’s store for seventeen years.
Operating many greenhouses proves to be a very hectic and time-consuming endeavor.
The Doaks had a year-round business and grew
geraniums, poinsettias, bedding plants, and foliage plants. Jackie ran a 3400 sq. ft. florist. When the Loring Air Force Base in Caribou announced their closing, the Doaks knew it was time to consider retiring. Caribou lost sixty-five businesses after the closing of the Loring Base. When the day-to-day responsibilities at the greenhouse and florist proved to be too much, and Phil experienced some heart issues, they sold the business.
Early in their retirement, the Doaks kept busy finishing their house, landscaping, and spending some time in Florida. They volunteer at the local food pantry and are active in their church, but they wanted to do more. Phil, at seventy-two years of age, and Jackie, at seventy years, remain extremely fit and active.
The Doaks appreciate good food and decided that, in their retirement, it would be great to begin raising some animals. They researched various possibilities and decided upon Katahdin sheep. Their priorities were to both raise and process Katahdin sheep humanely.
The Katahdin breed originated at the Piel Farm in Abbot, Maine. Michael Pier was an amateur geneticist who raised livestock. The Katahdin sheep are valued for being meat sheep that are woolless. They are hair sheep and are known to be resistant to many parasites. They are also valued as great mothers who often have multiple births. The Doaks had six sets of twin lambs last year!
Phil explained that forty percent of the general population has never tried lamb. Many people associate lamb with mutton, which he described as often “having a horrible smell and being greasy.” Phil believes that lamb is “a whole other bird” that is so much milder. New Zealand and Australia raise the largest amount of lamb. In Phil’s estimation, it seems so much more practical to have lamb raised in Maine where it can go to market much fresher than being imported from countries 10,000 miles away. The grass-fed lamb, which the Doaks raise, is flash frozen immediately after processing to keep it fresh.
Jackie chuckled when she described how
“the raising of the sheep has gotten out of
hand.” She said, “Our sheep are very very spoiled!” Phil explained that “a happy animal produces better meat.” He said, “ If an animal is stressed, the meat is tighter.”
The Doaks had the land cleared when they
decided to build their retirement home. They are thinking about selling their place and moving to where the land is better for
farming so that they can graze cattle and raise hay.
Jackie enjoys canning and preserving the vegetables and fruits that they grow. She
has an extensive line of jellies and jams including strawberry rhubarb, raspberry lemon, wild Maine chokeberry, blueberry, raspberry, apricot, and peach. She makes unique fruit vinegars including black currant, cranberry, strawberry, wild Maine blueberry, black cherry, and raspberry.
Phil and Jackie sell their lamb and farm products at the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning in the parking lot of Sear’s in Presque Isle from Mother’s Day
through Columbus Day. They sell their homemade pickles, jams and jellies, and fruit vinegars, as well as a selection of Raye’s Mustards from Eastport, and Maine Sea Salts from Marshfield.
If you have the opportunity to visit Phil and
Jackie Doak at Sunrise Farm, you can be assured that you will receive an exceptionally
warm welcome. Their farm is an extremely well-kept and beautiful property. Their love and concern for their animals is immediately obvious. The Doaks are a great example of how small scale farming can turn out to be a very enjoyable undertaking when an individual decides to retire.