| North Star
Orchards— 
a shinning
star of
Maine’s
apple farms
Article and photos by Ramona du Houx
Apple trees in Maine were laden with fruit and
the harvest is predicted to be the best year since 2002.
North Star Apple Orchards, off route 43, just
outside of Madison, has been owned and run by the Dimock Family since 1976. Schools, and
the public begin to stream onto the farm when the first leaves begin to change color. The
farm provides a public picnic area and their woodlands are open for hiking or hunting, but
most patrons come for the experience of picking a wide variety of apples.
Josh, Emma and Judy Dimock, their grandmother, pick apples
after school
"Picking apples really is a special time to
share with family and friends. I’ve had return customers come in and tell me how much
they remembered their original visit. One man recalled playing in the sand box, with some
of the toys that are still there," said Judy Dimock who helps run the farm with her
family. "Another woman said a visit here was really being among the greatest riches
on earth."
The orchard produces about 20,000 bushels of
apples annually with McIntosh being 65 percent of the yield and Cortland 15 percent. The
other varieties include Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Macoun, Empire, and Northern Spy. The
apples are available in six Hannafords and local grocery stores. North Star’s farm
store displays a variety of Made in Maine products associated with apples, thoughtful
items for the kitchen, amongst other gifts, cider, pumpkins, and of course apples.
"It’s much more common to have people
say to us, ‘We want you to stay here’," said Jennifer Dimock, store
manager. "There’s very much an increasing awareness of the loss of agricultural
businesses and land."
 "Recently there have been more people coming to the store, because
the message that buying from local farms is good for their health, and for the
community," said Judy. "The Get Real Get Maine program and Buy Local programs
have been wonderful for us. Many customers understand that farming needs local
support."
Last spring the family planted six hundred dwarf
apple trees to accommodate the market’s current taste in apples. The upkeep on the
farm is continuous, caring for the trees year round. North Star only uses chemicals when
there is a special need to help the apple trees.
"Our first goal is to grow a product of
value to the community and to do so in an environmentally responsible manner," said
Judy. "We are also proud to be able to share this very special and beautiful place
with others."
North Star provides tours for local schools and
welcomes inquires about private tours. Local service organizations use the farmlands for
fund-raising events.
"In the last three years, people have really
understood that unless they take an active part in supporting the farms, they’re not
going to be here," said Judy. "I’d love to see the property continue to be
in our family for generations to come. We’ve been very fortunate; we never tried to
become wealthy. A lot of people who visit here say they would give up what they are doing
to be able to have a farm like this."
 With 3,400 acres of apple trees statewide, Maine orchards yielded a crop
of 619,000 bushels in 2006 brining in $9.2 million in agricultural revenue. This
year’s apple crop is yielding twice as much as it did last year.
"It was a good year. With apple farming you
never have the feeling of maybe you’ll get a pink slip tomorrow. You’re in
charge, it’s your business, but you can’t control the weather," said Judy.
"You become confident that whatever the weather throws at you, everything will be all
right. That’s when the family really comes together and you work out solutions. It
gives the children lessons in life they can’t get anywhere else."
The Farm store is open Sept – Dec 24, every
day 10-5. Jan-Aug on Saturdays and Sundays.
Emma Dimock and her
father, Rob, of North Star Apple Orchards. Rob’s wish is for his children to be able
to, and want, the opportunity to carry on the family business
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