Winter Wonderland in Winterport
New traditions take root on this family tree farm
By Anne Gabbianelli
Imagine tromping through the snow to find your perfect Christmas tree while Jack Frost nips at your nose. Or exploring nature trails on foot, by snowshoe, or on cross-country skis. Or sipping a steaming cup of hot cocoa while making a Christmas wreath for someone special. At Winterport Evergreen Farm, visitors can embrace the holiday season — and maybe even start a new tradition.
The childhood stomping grounds of Julia Kearns along the Monroe Road sprouted into a Christmas tree farm in the fall of 2016 when she and her husband, Sean Kearns, planted 100 Christmas trees, planning their second career as tree farmers.
Lack of rain, however, led to the demise of all the trees.
“The truth of the matter is we really didn’t know all that much about growing trees at a farm level,” Julia said. “Yes, we were confused and frustrated, but more so, we were humbled and determined.”
The couple planted hundreds of new trees in the spring of 2017, and have continued planting hundreds of seedlings each year since. Eventually, they left their full-time careers behind — he a Navy captain and she a middle school teacher — to focus on the farm. They’re now celebrating one year as a small Christmas tree farm with a big community-minded heart.
The history of this community gathering spot in “Back Winterport” began 50 years ago when Julia’s parents purchased the Cox farm, once a chicken farm. Today the Kearns have carved out 10 acres for their business — keeping the entire family busy.
“After we married in 2014, we toyed with the idea of planting a small plot of Christmas trees that would be strictly for our extended family,” Sean said. By 2017 this idea had grown into a plan for a second career as Christmas tree farmers.
“We started our first successful planting of approximately 300 Christmas tree seedlings, and we have been planting between 300 and 800 seedlings each spring,” Sean said.
After their first failed planting, the pair knew they had to “get smarter” in the tree farming world.
“We reached out to other tree farmers and sought their expertise. We attended conferences, bought and read books, talked with folks from UMaine Cooperative Extension, and so forth. Call it stubbornness, call it pride, or call it Maine determination, we dug in,” Julia said.
Sean admitted the journey wasn’t easy.
“The learning curve was very steep the first few years, and we still find ourselves ‘learning things the hard way’ from time to time, but with a lot of personal research and the help of organizations like MCTA [Maine Christmas Tree Association] and the UMaine Cooperative Extension, we have gotten to the point where we mostly feel like we know what we are doing,” Sean said.
“There are so many variables that come into play when there are numerous trees in a plantation,” Julia said. “Pests, irrigation, and weed control become priorities. Mother Nature always has her say — we just try to learn to work with her and take what she gives us, and grow from there literally and figuratively.”
This Christmas season, Winterport Evergreen Farm celebrates one year of business with nearly 3,000 balsam fir varieties growing in sizes ranging from one foot to over 10 feet tall.
In addition to the trees, the business has also blossomed into a community market that ran from May through September, bringing together old acquaintances and the opportunity to meet new people.
“It started as a notion to host some sort of farmers’ market and grew into the idea of a community market with a greater variety of vendors, food, live music, and civic and other charitable organizations,” Sean said. “It has truly brought the greater community together out here in Back Winterport.”
“We spend hours talking about different ways to bring the community together, including spotlighting civic groups and charities. As soon as one market is over, we are planning for the next one — always with community in mind,” Julia said.
During the markets, more than 30 vendors nestle between apple trees and fields of fir trees, and the barn, built of milled wood from the family property, sports farm-made products. And because Christmas is always on the mind of this couple, the farm celebrated Christmas in July, giving patrons a leg up on their holiday shopping.
Vendor Jen Tweedie of Winterport likes the atmosphere.
“It’s family friendly, offers ‘welcome home’ vibes, and everyone is kind,” Tweedie said. “It’s wonderful to see how many businesses we have in and surrounding Winterport.”
Aside from the variety of products, live music is a big draw. Don Bergeron of Winterport is one of a few musicians who joined the community market.
“The atmosphere is of appreciation and a small town vibe,” Bergeron said. “I’ve met many people and the exposure has boosted my musical experience and luthier skills (one who makes stringed musical instruments).”
Julia called the couple’s venture a tale of persistence. Sean agreed: “Any sort of farming involves a lot of hard work, and Christmas tree farming is no exception. But we find it very fulfilling along with the other agrotourism activities we host here, such as the community markets, wreath making classes, school visits, and workshops.”
“There is a substantial amount of work that leads up to opening day, but sharing holiday memories with families is a beautiful feeling — and it’s that feeling of goodness that carries us through the days of hard work from April to October,” Julia said. “When November comes and the snow is flying and the hot cocoa is flowing, it’s like living in a Hallmark movie.”
The barn at Winterport Evergreen Farm hosts a gift shop offering a variety of products. Wreath making classes are now underway, and Christmas tree sales begin the day after Thanksgiving, continuing each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Learn more at winterportevergreenfarm.com.
