Two of Whitefield's Fiber Farm Stores!
Last week, with a need to "get out" after over a year of staying close to home, we once again ventured to Whitefield. (We were there in December of 2016.) Whitefield must be the small farm capitol of Maine! There seems to be some kind of farm at every mile: fiber animals, dairies and creameries, and acres of cultivated land. On this trip we stopped at Maine Alpaca Barn located at 332 Townhouse Road.
Linda Russo has been raising alpacas for more than 21 years. At one time she bred them and had a herd of 42 animals. Now, with just 15 animals, she has time to run a small retail gift shop on her property filled with alpaca yarn, alpaca roving and raw fiber, and nicely knitted and crocheted finished pieces that Linda has worked up with her alpaca yarn. These finished items are priced very affordably, and the large stuffed animals even make adults feel happy!
Linda dyes some of the yarn, so that there are more choices available than the natural colors. She decides what colors to dye the yarn based on the colors she sees in sunrises and sunsets. Linda has only alpaca fiber from her animals, and a small amount of fiber from another local alpaca farm, in her shop; there are no imported alpaca fiber products in this shop!
The Maine Alpaca Barn is opened Wednesdays through Saturdays 10-5. If you would like to confirm their shop hours, please call: 207-213-5377.
The Maine Alpaca Barn is also conveniently located directly across the street from Chase Farm Bakery. This bakery makes everything from scratch and has been in operation - by the same person - for 46 years. It is known for its donuts and hand pies, and is open year round.
Of course, a trip to Whitefield is not complete without a stop at Sheepscot General Store for lunch, located in a renovated milking barn at 98 Townhouse Road. The pandemic has changed things at the store a bit, and at this point, there is no indoor seating. You can enjoy their delicious food (which is sourced as locally as possible) at the picnic tables out back. This provided us with a somewhat romantic and expansive view of farm fields.
After lunch, we ventured over to Barred Owl Creamery. The pandemic made changes to this farm too. Patti Hamilton decided last year to give up the creamery, and instead, she now enjoys her small flock of mostly Gotland sheep. She repurposed the creamery's refrigerated room into a storage unit for her processed fleeces and yarn. Although no longer cooled by electricity, this room still stays cool on its own due to its insulation and location. Combined with tight seals between the walls, ceiling, floor and door, this room will keep any critter out looking for cozy place to eat or nest!
Located at 6 South Fowles Lane, Barred Owl Creamery is a beautifully maintained old farm, that has a farm store too. In this shop, you will find sheepskins, yarn and other items such as handmade soaps, wool sponges and chicken eggs for sale. Please contact them for shop hours: 207-549-5497.
And in easy walking distance of Barred Owl Creamery is Sheepscot Valley Brewing Company. We did not venture there, but it could be an enticement for getting someone else in the car with you and taking a road trip to Whitefield. Hopefully that person can drive and then you can knit or crochet. But make sure you take a project that you don't have to look at much. Your eyes will want to keep looking out the window at Whitefield's beautiful scenery.