A family owned, 40-acre saltwater farm nestled in Dyer Harbor in Steuben, Maine, Painted Pepper Farm was started in 2005. The farm, which includes the on-site creamery Dairy Delights, is owned and operated by Lisa Reilich. Lisa keeps a herd of about 70 Nigerian dwarf dairy goats and utilizes silvopasture, which is a practice of grazing livestock with trees. This technique is rooted in indigenous land stewardship and its benefits are well documented by scientific literature. Silvopasture systems are complex, dynamic and site-specific, and adoption by farmers and land stewards is still relatively low, but growing in interest.
For 7 months out of the year (roughly May 1st-November 1st), Lisa allows her goats to forage in woodland pasture where the herd benefits from a diverse diet of deciduous and coniferous tree tips and browse, fruit drops, pasture grasses, and rockweed seaweed from the shoreline. If there is no snow cover during colder months, the goats will continue to forage on fir tips and other plants. Lisa believes that this practice is the best approach to managing stress and promoting good health in her animals, which in turn produces dairy products of exceptional quality. Her goats are happy, healthy, mentally stimulated, and well-exercised, as she monitors and moves them conscientiously throughout the landscape to prevent overgrazing in any given area of the property. She notes that the compact size of goats means their ecological footprint is much smaller than if a farmer were to attempt silvopasture with larger livestock, such as cows or horses in the Maine woods. In this sense, they are ideally suited for silvopasture in northern evergreen forest systems.
If you are interested in owning Nigerian goats, Lisa is always happy to share information and often has registered does and pet wethers (castrated male goats) available. Reservations are taken year round for expected kids. They offer helpful information on their website about breed information and goat care and always welcome inquiries.
Lisa’s on-site creamery, Dairy Delights, produces a stunning variety of value-added dairy products, ranging from goat’s milk yogurt (available in five flavors) and kefir to fresh chevre (also available in five flavors), goat milk fudge (peanut butter, mint-chocolate, and chocolate), gelato, and 4oz single-serving cheesecakes (in 5 flavors with Gluten-free, almond crust, or classic graham crust options). Dairy Delights gelatos are made by hand with pure goat milk, fresh local eggs, and all natural sweeteners and flavorings. They offer 16 flavors, which vary slightly depending on the season. They are an exceptionally satisfying and refreshing treat and are naturally lower in fat than premium ice cream, so you can indulge daily (in the European tradition!) guilt-free. Dairy Delights also offers Sorbettos for those who prefer a dairy-free treat. They offer other healthy and delicious treats as well, such as Maple Roasted Nut Delight (roasted and lightly maple-syrup sweetened nuts), Wild Blueberry, Blueberry Rhubarb & Blueberry Cranberry Preserves, and “Not Too Sweet” Granola, sweetened with organic Maine maple syrup and/or honey— available in “Four Seasons” (Fruit & Nut Smorgasbord), “Spring Promise” (Maple & Pecans — Wheat Free!) & “Winter Dreams” (Honey, Almond, Orange & Mango — Wheat Free!).
Painted Pepper’s little pink farmstand sits just outside their farm gate and is OPEN 24/7, 365 days a year. This is a truly self-serve store with payment on the honor system, although preorders are still welcome. If you have questions while at the store or would like to place a preorder, text Lisa at 207-598-6621, email the farm at paintedpepperfarm@gmail.com, message them on FaceBook or Instagram, or visit their online farm store. To reach the farmstand from Route 1 in Steuben, turn onto Dyers Bay Road and travel 3 miles to Goods Point Road and turn left. They are 1/4 mile on the right (#55). Look for their sign and drive on up the driveway. The farm beyond the gate remains closed to visitors at this time. Painted Pepper’s farm animals are hard at work maintaining the landscape and livestock guardian dogs (Sunny Day, Daisy Duke and Moonshadow) are busy patrolling. Please enjoy watching them from the store while you shop, though!
Painted Pepper also participates in FarmDrop, which is an Online Farmers’ Market with pickups on Wednesdays all year round. Communities they serve include Ellsworth, Mount Desert Island and Stueben. FarmDrop is a great way to support the farm year-round if you are in these communities and the farmstand is too far of a drive.
Dairy Delights Gelatos are a fan favorite and the Blue Hill Co-op is thrilled to offer 12 flavors of their 12oz Goat Milk Gelatos and Sorbettos in our freezer section. You can choose from: Goat Tracks, Pistachio, Strawberry Rhubarb, Grapefruit Campari (Sorbetto), Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Lemon, Blueberry Lemon (Sorbetto), Orange Creamsicle, Double Dutch Chocolate, Coffee, Mint Belgian Chunk, and Candied Ginger.
In 2020, Lisa lost her 18-year old daughter, Maiah Alyssa, who spent most of her life growing up on and coming and going from her home at Painted Pepper Farm. “Maine was never Maiah’s favorite place, but on our farm, Walter’s Beach was always a magical happy spot that Maiah loved… In her honor, we — mom Lisa, and sisters Ella Meera and Margaret Mae — have named this spot “Moo’s Corner,” shaping it as a public respite spot to any who need a spot to gaze at the ocean or play in the mud, take out a kayak or just soak in some sun.” Moo’s Corner at Walter’s Beach opened on May 2nd, 2020 and is now open from Dawn to Dusk throughout the year for you to visit and enjoy. Please carry in, carry out, keep pets leashed at all times, and keep this sanctuary chemical-free. “We could not possibly capture all she was to us and to all those who knew and loved her while she was here on her Earthly journey — but we are grateful to all who have attempted to paint the palette of her days with us and offer these visions here. Thank you for taking the time to get to know our beloved Maiah Moo and help us keep her memory and spirit alive with us throughout our remaining days.” Please be in touch if you would like to help maintain or continue to create Moo’s Corner or have any questions at all. Enter at 69 Goods Point Road (drive on right just past the main Painted Pepper Farm entrance).
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