Paul and Karen Volkhausen have been running Happytown Farm in Orland, Maine – selling meat, vegetables, maple syrup, flowers and eggs – for 46 years. Over the years, they’ve built a house, a barn, 5 hoophouses, a greenhouse, and a legacy, as well as raised a family and countless animals. Paul spearheaded the vegetable and animal side of the farm, while Karen created the beautiful gardens and bouquets for their customers and friends. Organically certified with MOFGA since the beginning, their soil has been well cared for and amended with homemade compost all along. As of this year, they will be retiring from the business and letting their long-term apprentice, Angelica, take charge and carry on their legacy. Angelica has been farming for almost 12 years, 8 of which have been spent in Maine. She has a passion for the outdoors, community, sustainable living and farming, as well as an organic, healthy lifestyle.
Happytown has a few employees and many workshares, volunteers and an amazing community who support the farm and keep it going. They offer wholesale, summer CSAs for vegetables and flowers and sell at local farmers markets. As of Spring 2025, they will have a new farmstand and they hope this will help the local community feel included and welcome at the farm. Their aim is to build a healthy, biodiverse environment for everyone and everything to thrive in, while leading a meaningful and impactful life and career.
Happytown Farm offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, which is a way to buy local food directly from a farmer by purchasing a “share” of a farm’s harvest in advance. Sign-up for their Summer Vegetable and Flower CSA opens in late winter but they welcome new members at any time of the year! If you are interested in joining their CSA, reach out to them on their website at www.happytownfarm.org and they will send you more information about your CSA share options and an application form. Be sure to visit Happytown’s table at the Ellsworth Farmers Market every Saturday from 9:30-12:30PM. The Ellsworth Market’s new location is at 25 Pine Street at Fogtown Brewery and runs from May to October.
You can find fresh, seasonal vegetables and stunning floral bouquets from Happytown Farm in the Produce Department at the Blue Hill Co-op.
