Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm

10/10/2026

How long does it take YOU to do your family’s grocery shopping, lol? Takes me FOREVER cuz I gotta read every damn label before it goes in my cart!

Last week it was 45 minutes, and I was on the fourth bottle of ketchup before I found one I was comfortable buying. I came home with almost nothing from the middle of the store: no crackers, no cereal, no frozen dinners.

The industry’s own trade group says a federal definition of ultra-processed food would cover 80% of what’s on the shelves. I call it faux-food. This week’s Radical Act of Opting Out is about who’s selling it, who’s writing the rules, and five things you can do about it, starting this week.

It’s free to read at Runamuk Acres on Substack. Link’s in the first comment.

What’s the last label that made YOU put something back?

10/03/2026

For years I squeezed the farm in around everything else: part-time gardening for locals, then a lunch-lady job that very nearly ended Runamuk in 2025.

This year—for the first time ever!—I’ve been farming full-time!🎉 It was a profound experience at the big finale, carrying baskets of squash, carrots, and potatoes out to vehicles belonging to the six CSA households. We chatted about what a great season it’s been as I helped them load their free pumpkins, they praised and thanked their farmer, and I wished every one of them a safe winter.🥔🥕🎃

I can't help feeling that maybe, just maybe, I'm on the other side of it now. This week, on the drive into town, the hills along Route 16 were blazing, every one of them letting go of what it can't carry into the winter. At 46, I'm finally learning to do the same.

The latest farm-update is live on the blog today with the whole story, as well as changes coming to our farm and CSA program next year, including EBT, Maine Harvest Bucks and Senior FarmShares. And NEW work-shares, too! Link in comments for details.

09/28/2026

This week on the Runamuk blog:

➡️ Wednesday at 2pm est I'll be joining Robin Motzer on her podcast at Wildlands.
➡️ Thursday at 4pm is our October Office Hours and this month it's free and open to all. I'm going to talk about some changes coming to the blog and the farm, upcoming workshops etc. If you have any questions or issues you'd like to troubleshoot revolving around growing, homesteading, scratch cooking or REAL food, please join me for a live Q&A session at Substack!
➡️ Saturday morning I'll publish the next farm-update, and Saturday afternoon at 4pm I'll go live on Substack to perform my usual read-aloud for those who prefer to view or listen to their content.

Remember, Runamuk doesn't end at the farmstand, farm-friends! Subscribe for free to follow (not just) this farm's story, but all of my work revolving around REAL food, homesteading and agriculture, Maine life, conservation, and the radical act of opting out of a corporate controlled system. Join me and start taking back the skills your grandparents knew. Link in comments.

09/25/2026

This is it, farm-friends! Runamuk's last weekend of the 2026 season is upon us. CSA members have had their pick, and we still have quite a few pumpkins and squashes available, as well as some sexy carrots! Come see us to stock up on REAL and local fresh produce grown by your friendly neighborhood Farmer Sam. Open Friday thru Sunday 8-6. 344 School Street in North New Portland, right next to the old Central Elementary School.

09/14/2026

These last few years have been a wild ride, what with my lunch-lady stint and trying to scrape by on a single income and still farm. But this season, at long last, I was able to farm full-time and with no more livestock that just leaves the garden, my conservation work, and writing to focus on. What a difference it makes when you're not spread too thin!!!

Bringing the garden back after being forced to take last season off was an ordeal, but damn! didn't she produce some sexy pumpkins this year! We managed a small CSA this season and I've been able to position Runamuk to be able to expand that program next season. I love growing food and if you're local to New Portland, Kingfield, Lexington, Embden or New Vineyard, I wanna be your farmer.

Meanwhile, I've been promoting Runamuk as a western Maine destination for nature-connectedness. Our nature preserve encompasses a 10-acre pollinator meadow, as well as a 41-acre forest with an easy-walking trail system running through it. We invite the public to walk, birdwatch, observe our healthy population of Monarch butterflies, picnic with your family, and otherwise immerse yourself in nature. I am putting a lot of energy into this next year, bringing more picnic tables, a kiosk and on-farm events. Stay tuned for more on that coming soon.

Storytelling and writing is what's made it possible for me to farm full-time as a single mom. If you've been following for any length of time, you know this is not a new habit for me, lol. I've been blogging and writing for years, and it's finally beginning to pay off. My Substack has grown to nearly 3k subscribers--people actually PAY me for my writing now, and I've grown it from the original farm-blog to a broader publication covering the topics of agriculture, REAL food, and grassroots resistance against the corporate system. I even have a new video podcast called Talking Dirt, where I engage people from all walks in discussions about those very topics. I invite you to subscribe for free (link in comments) and join my community.

It's been a wild ride, but I'm learning and growing so much, and best of all--I'm finally able to concentrate my time and energy on the work I feel called to do: growing food, protecting wildlife, and advocating REAL and local food access.

Early Bird CSA sale coming in November. Sign-up for the 2027 season and get a 20% bonus credit with the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm.

Check out the latest farm-update from the blog.👇

A reader's generosity meant I didn't have to choose between the farm and a paycheck this year. Here's what that changed.

09/09/2026

Thank you Morrison Hill Apple Orchard for hosting us at Greater Franklin Economic and Community Development's September marketing meet up!

For some reason it still surprises me when people tell me they’ve heard of Runamuk, but—really—who could forget that name? Best business decision I ever made, right there, my friends!😆And I have my two run-a-muk son to thank for it!

Seriously, though, there’s something to be said for getting out there in person to connect with people. To learn from others and their collective experience, and to build relationships with the people in your neighborhood (or even the broader region where you live!).

Also—guerilla marketing via stickers is apparently a thing, and it’s something I can see myself getting behind. Be prepared for Runamuk stickers coming soon!

Picture of this ancient crabapple tree at Morrison Hill Orchard in Farmington, Maine for proof that this reclusive farmer did indeed—leave the farm.👇Apparently, they make one of their signature hard ciders with the fruit from THIS tree. Isn’t she fabulous???

08/20/2026

Farmstand is open and I have been busting ass (my butt literally hurts, yo!) to keep up with the harvest. Take advantage of the abundance and get fresh green beans at $3/lb this weekend only.
344 School Street. New Portland.
DM to get on our weekly emailing list.

08/17/2026

Some big changes at Runamuk this year! For those who do not read the blog, let me catch you up:

The sheep are gone. Between losing my farm-help and the rising costs associated with keeping livestock, it just didn't make sense to keep going anymore.

BUT all that rotational grazing did it's job and we now have a GORGEOUS pollinator meadow supporting Monarch butterflies galore and beneficial insects across the board. I've been working hard to reposition Runamuk as a nature preserve and a western Maine destination for nature-connectedness, creating public trails and (soon) a picnicking area for families.

What's here right now: the farmstand is open Friday through Sunday (or during the week by chance!) with vegetables, and baked goods like breads, muffins, and REAL foods made with seasonal ingredients grown on this small farm.

Where I'm headed from here: consistency at the farmstand is the priority right now. Trying to farm as a single mom has been unpredictable these last few years, but life looks different now that my sons are grown. Runamuk will never grow bigger for the sake of being bigger—but it's my goal to be your friendly neighborhood farmer year round.

At the moment, the best way to stay connected to this local farm is to get on our weekly email list to receive updates on availability and happenings direct to your in-box. DM me with your email to get on the list. The second-best way to follow is to subscribe to the Runamuk blog.

Writing is what supports my farm-work same as a spouse or off-farm job would, but allows me the flexibility to farm at the same time. Did I mention I now have a podcast called "Talking DIrt"? And I'm engaged in the new Somerset Food Council advocating local access to real food?

Come see us at the farmstand Friday through Sunday, or catch me some other day if you're lucky. And DM me for that email list — it's the easiest way to actually know what's happening out here week to week.

Latest blog-post linked in comments with a full farm-update.

08/12/2026

Farmstand is open every day this week because we have SO much yummy produce coming out of the garden! Baked goods will be available Friday through Sunday. I'm making jalapeño and cheddar sourdough this week! Chocolate chip cookies and egg sammies for the bikers down the road. DM if you're looking for something specific or to place an order for pickup.✌️

08/07/2026

This weekend on the farmstand: all of the usual seasonal produce (no green beans till next week), plus oatmeal bread, sourdough boule, and sourdough garlic knots. I'll be doing sommore baking this afternoon, making a batch of zucchini muffins with cinnamon crumb topping and a couple of chocolate zucchini cakes for your weekend shenanigans.

If you're looking for something specific, don't hesitate to reach out to me directly to ask about availability or to have me hold items for you. Happy to help my neighbors.