Erickson Fields Preserve
93 Acres
Property Description
The Erickson Fields Preserve, located in the town of Rockport, is managed by Maine Coast Heritage Trust's (MCHT) Aldermere Farm staff. The Fields were actively farmed for generations by the Erickson family as a dairy farm. Nearly 20 years ago the Ericksons stopped farming the land and then welcomed Aldermere Farm who managed the fields for hay and grazing their Belted Galloway cattle. When the Erickson family decided they needed to sell the land, they worked closely with MCHT staff in partnership with Maine Farmland Trust (MFT). MCHT and MFT recognized the value of preserving rapidly disappearing farmland, maintaining a significant green space close to the center of Rockport village, and providing a great opportunity to utilize the land as a community resource.
MCHT acquired the property to conserve and keep productive prime farmland in Midcoast Maine and to provide a public benefit through agricultural, natural resource, and silviculture education on the property. Of significance to MCHT and the local community has been the preservation of the highly scenic views of the open fields, pasture and woods on the property that are enjoyed by the general public travelling along Route 90.
The pastureland is currently utilized for cattle grazing and hay production. Beef cattle graze in the fenced-in areas as part of the Aldermere Farm rotational grazing system. The fields are also hayed annually for use by the Aldermere Farm hay production operation. The Preserve also has a number of raised beds that are used to grow vegetables for several agricultural education programs. Participants in the educational programs have harvested and donated all the produce grown in the raised beds to local food banks or the high school lunch program.
Preserve information/guidelines
The Erickson Fields Preserve is only open to the public during scheduled programs and events. Please visit the Aldermere Farm website for more details on upcoming activities.
How to Get There: From the south, take Route 1 north until it intersects with Route 90 outside of Warren, and turn left on Route 90. Follow Route 90 nearly to its end, about 10.5 miles (and about 2.5 miles past the stoplight and intersection with Route 17). Erickson Fields Preserve is on your right across from Cross Street. From the north, take Route 1 south until it intersects with Route 90 outside of Rockport, and turn right onto Route 90. Drive approximately three tenths of a mile, passing on your left the Market Basket, one house and a short stretch of woods. Erickson Fields Preserve is on your left across from Cross Street.
