For four generations – and over 100 years – Carrie Whitcomb’s family has milked Jersey and Guernsey cows on Springdale Farm in Waldo. The Whitcomb family had always produced quality, fresh foods and Carrie’s Grandparents and Great-Grandparents sold meat and milk directly to the community from the start. In more recent decades, the farm had shifted to selling milk and meat solely on the commodity market. When Carrie and her sister moved back home in 2011, they made a decision to bring the farm back to its roots by offering farm fresh food to their community. Initially, they started by selling meat at local farmers markets. After a few years of hard work and organizing, Carrie finally accomplished her dream of starting a farmstead creamery in 2015 and developed her own line of Springdale cheese, which includes Fresh Cream Cheese (in Original, Chive & Garlic, Everything, Fresh Veggie, Cranberry Pecan, Sriracha Jalapeno, and Pumpkin Pie flavors), Queso Tencho, and Triple Cream Brie. She expanded her offerings to include Festive Spreads, as well, which are a perfect combination of her signature Fresh Cream Cheese and local jams made by Olde Haven Farm in Chelsea, Maine. The festive spreads come in four flavors: Whiskey Maple Cranberry, Carrot Cake Jam, Christmastime Jam (cranberry, strawberry and holiday spices), and Blueberry Port Wine (which is Carrie’s personal favorite, paired with Springdale Triple Cream Brie).
In 2019, Carrie purchased the State of Maine Cheese Company and moved the business from its longtime home in Rockport to her farm in Waldo to carry on their cheese legacy. She has since been dedicated to upholding their forty-year tradition of producing quality, flavorful Maine-made cheeses and couldn’t be more content making cheese half a mile down the road from her herd of Jersey and Guernsey cows. According to her, “Their luscious creamy milk is what cheese dreams are made of and it’s my true honor to transform it into a line of products that are enjoyed and shared in our community and beyond.” Carrie has kept the classic lineup of State of Maine tried and true cheeses, including: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gouda and their (wildly popular) Fresh Cheese Curds and has found that these hard cheeses perfectly complement her own line of Springdale original varieties. “I can’t imagine a truer expression of my heart and soul than producing cheeses from the pastures we grow, the cows we nurture and the creamy nutrient dense milk they produce – you can taste it in every flavorful bite.”
Producing quality meats, cheeses and charcuterie – with deep Maine roots – and preserving her two heritage breeds of dairy cattle, as well as the land that her family has farmed for generations, is Carrie’s passion. Her herd is her pride and joy and she invites everyone to take a trip down Birches Rd this summer to experience the heart of Springdale Farm. Swing by the Springdale Farm Store and gaze across the field at the pretty brown cows dotting the green hillsides while you break into a wheel of their Triple Cream Brie. She hopes your face lights up like hers did when, after years of dreaming, trying, failing and trying again, she finally found the perfect creamy texture and milky, salty flavor. The rich, deep flavor of farm-fresh changes your taste buds forever and Springdale is happy to provide this mouthwatering experience.
Next time you are in Midcoast Maine, swing into the Springdale Farm Store and grab some cheese and other farm products including pasture-based beef, pork and cured meats on the honor system. The store is located at 165 Birches Road in Waldo, halfway between the farm and the creamery and is open 8:00 am – 6:00 pm daily. It is self-serve and they accept cash, checks, Paypal and Venmo, but not credit cards. Email springdalejerseys@gmail.com or call (207)342-5135 for questions, comments, or to arrange a visit and be sure to follow Springdale Farm on Facebook and Instagram!
You can find Springdale’s full line of products online via their website, on the State of Maine Cheese Company’s website, at the United Farmers Market of Belfast (year-round on Saturdays 9am-2pm), the Camden Farmers Market (Saturdays 9am-12pm May-Oct), and from Farm Drop, with pickup locations in Blue Hill, MDI, Ellsworth, Unity, Rockport, Wiscasset, and more. The Blue Hill Co-op is pleased to carry Springdale Triple Cream Brie, Springdale Creme de Luxe, and State of Maine Glen Cove Gouda in our Cheese Department.
