Lying a half-mile from Merrymeeting Bay, one of the Eastern seaboard’s largest and most productive estuaries, the open fields of this working dairy farm are a popular stopover for Canada Geese and other migratory waterfowl. Grants from the Land for Maine’s Future program and the USDA Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program enabled the Maine Department of Agriculture to purchase an easement on 308 acres of prime farmland that prevents future subdivision or development and provides that the land will remain undeveloped open space.
To help ensure use of sound farming practices on the site, the Androscoggin County Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service prepared a conservation plan for the property. The towns of Richmond and Bowdoinham strongly supported the project, valuing this scenic open space and seeing its preservation as a means of sustaining the local farm economy and saving on the municipal costs that residential development of the site would have required.
Please note: On private farms protected with Land for Maine’s Future program support, public access is by landowner permission only. Please see the icons to determine allowed uses and follow any guidance posted on the property. For more information on how to obtain landowner permission, contact Stephanie Gilbert at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
No snowmobiling, dog-walking or unauthorized use of motor vehicles is allowed on this property.
Closest Town
Richmond
Activities
Bird & other wildlife watching, hiking, and hunting. Landowner permission needed.
Region
Midcoast Maine – Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, Waldo
Acres
308
Directions from nearest town
DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer Map 12, E-5. From the Richmond Exit (#43) off Interstate 295, go east on Route 197 approximately 3 miles and turn right on High Street. The Noble Farm (marked with a sign) is the white house with the red barn 0.75 miles from the intersection.
