This Is What Forever Looks Like (on the Farm)

Doug and Linda Hartkopf have shared their infectious energy and vast knowledge of organic farming not only with their children but with hundreds of others. As they look ahead, they hope their Maine farm continues to inspire children, and that the landscape remains preserved.

Dairy farming has changed tremendously since they started working the land nearly 40 years ago. While time has provided many positive changes in farming, it has also witnessed the loss of hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland and tens of thousands of small family farms along the way.

Chatting over a breakfast of organic homegrown sausage and homemade biscuits, the couple talks about their journey as first-generation farmers. Neither Linda nor Doug are from farms, and their intention was to raise their children on a farm “and that was it.” But now that the kids are out of the house and it’s time to think of the farm’s future, “that was it,” is not an option. They want it to remain a dairy farm and say it should never be replaced by rows of houses, a sandpit or acres of solar fields. 

“We thought it was a good contribution to the community and state to preserve the land,” Doug said. “If we sell the farm, we would get double the value of what we paid. But how would someone new have capital to pay for it?”

Protecting Against Shrinking Farmland

Maine alone lost about 83,000 acres of agricultural land over five years, according to the latest agriculture census. Several were lost to higher production costs, development pressure and farmers aging out. 

“We live in a small-town ag community and land is slowly being sucked up and put into houses,” Doug said.

It is quite an investment to take over a farm, the cows, machinery and real estate, so they teamed up with Maine Farmland Trust to designate it a Forever Farm. The program makes the farm more affordable for oncoming farmers.

Forever Farms are protected by an agricultural conservation easement that ensures the property will forever be available for farming. The Hartkopfs sold the development rights. As a result, the woodlands and resources such as minerals, soil and water on the land will be preserved in perpetuity. 

“Farmers say a subdivision is the last crop you ever sell,” said Charlie Baldwin, MFT senior project manager, adding that’s why Forever Farms are important: to keep them from being developed. “The dollars we spend go to properties that are active agricultural properties that have these prime farmland soils, that allow the property to be a successful farm not just now but in the future.”

The Hartkopf’s Hart to Hart Farm is near a turnpike, which is a significant development force in the region. The threat of development, combined with their care for the land and farm, makes it a natural choice for Forever Farms’ designation, Baldwin said.

The Past and Future of the Farm

In 1987, the Hartkopfs rented a small farm and had a few dozen cows. They did “everything by hand.” In 1990 they bought a farm and have been there ever since. It wasn’t easy. They were close to going broke.

In 1997, they transitioned the farm to organic, and a year later became Organic Valley co-op farmer-owners. Organic Valley has always been on a mission to save small organic farms by providing nourishing food that is produced in harmony with nature.

“Going organic saved our farm. I didn’t think we were going to make it,” Doug said.

Farming Was Boring

Organic Valley upholds strict standards for animal care standards, milk quality and environmental stewardship.

The Hartkopfs, who both hold master’s degrees, were already taking many of the same approaches as other Organic Valley farmers, and Linda said conventional farming was an unsustainable approach. Doug added, “There was one way to do things, and it was very boring.”

For example, if you need a quick fix in conventional ag, you can throw fertilizer on the soil. With organic you plan ways to benefit the land and animals.

“With organic, you have to be very forward-thinking, and there is a little more planning,” he said. “You get to tap into the flow; there’s a flow with organic, be it summer, spring, fall or winter.”

There’s always something new to try and different approaches. If it doesn’t work, you will reevaluate and try again!

And Farming Becomes Even Less Boring!

Along with joining Organic Valley in 1998, Linda had another idea — a farm camp of sorts. She went with it, and that year six boys came to the farm to learn about all things agriculture. The camp has evolved over the years. 

The children at camp get a first-hand look at how to take care of animals and themselves! Hart to Hart Farm sits on about 300 acres and is home to an array of animals: cows, chickens, pigs and sheep.

The camp’s mission is to foster awareness of farm stewardship, growing healthy foods and the importance of sustainable, local agriculture, through education and experience.

Along with caring for the animals and chores associated with that, they care for a garden and have an opportunity to take what they create and eat it! They make butter, grind grain and now they even have a junior chef program.

“They can be who they are — be themselves — and they can’t do that other places, specifically in school,” Linda said. “Here they learn, grow and build lasting relationships with other campers.”

Many past camp-goers took on agricultural careers.

“The experience helps them make better decisions as they become adults,” she said. “It provides more opportunity to think about the food they put into their bodies and the environment they live in.”

Linda is passionate about eating holistically and knowing where ingredients come from. The Hartkopfs raise animals for meat and have a garden. Most everything they consume is farm-to-table. When asked what she buys at the grocery store, she laughs, “Chocolate.”

They have two children, and another son who passed away. The children like visiting the farm (and raiding the freezer). Neither plan to take over the farm, and the Hartkopfs never expected or pressured them to.

A Future for the Farm

The Hartkopfs hope to find someone, or a couple, interested in taking over the farm. “We are at a point as we look down the road — how to think of a transition,” Linda said. 

As they plan, the couple will continue milking 55 Jersey cows. This smaller herd size allows for plenty of room for grazing, and each cow receives personal attention from the Hartkopfs.

“You have got to love it. If you don’t love it, it’s the worst job in the world,” Doug said of farming. (He admits it doesn’t happen often, but some days it really does feel like the worst job in the world!)

It’s time to find someone who will give the land and animals the same personal attention as they have. “It’s time to wind down, get away a bit and travel,” Doug said.

Designating Hart to Hart Farm as a Forever Farm eases their concerns about what comes next.

The Hartkopfs are among more than 1,500 Organic Valley farmers working together to protect small organic family farms and everything they represent. They can’t do it without you — the milk drinker, cheese lover or cottage cheese aficionado who chooses our brand.

“You’re supporting the farmer, who in turn is supporting you,” Doug said. “Your purchase of Organic Valley® products gives me a sustainable pay price, which helps me deliver quality food to consumers. It’s a cycle — we’re indirectly helping each other.”

And that support, along with organizations like Maine Farmland Trust, helps shape the future of farming across the country.