FARMINGTON — Two generations of Collinsons are working land in Farmington and Litchfield. While doing so, they are sharing their English and Irish connections with their customers.

Jonathan and Margaret Collinson own land on North Street in Farmington. An orchard, berry patch and beehives provide the basis for a variety of baked goods, jams, jellies, syrups, and honey sold under the Beehive Bakery name. That name comes from rounded beehives that are made in Scotland. 

The younger generation, Davyd and Jenny (Hartung) Collinson own a farm in Litchfield where they grow organic vegetables which are sold at farmers markets and through CSA (community supported agriculture) shares. Seedlings can be purchased at the farmers’ market in the spring. Several CSA customers live in Farmington and their vegetables are delivered.

Margaret said they are considering joining another farmers’ market that is open earlier in the week. She said, “Mingling with people is part of the local food movement.” Margaret loves Maine villages where people know each other. She is also appreciative that today food isn’t available just in supermarkets,

Margaret said everything she bakes is homemade from scratch. She uses whole wheat organic flour in her breads and often adds amaranth, quinoa, and millet to add protein to her breads. Each bread is a little bit different.

Margaret once took an herbalism course at Emerson College. She now puts herbs in everything. She lived and went to school in Ireland where she learned all about cooking and keeping bees. Margaret still has her own beehives and said, “I never lost that love.”

Jonathan is from England and many of the recipes Margaret uses originated in Devonshire. She has ties to Ireland where grain is a very important part of the family. Oatmeal and barley breads are also baked and sold as are English muffins, macaroons, and shortbread.

Vanilla extract made from Madagascar vanilla beans is sold as is a special herbal tea mix that includes elder flowers. The blend makes a soothing tea and the flowers can be added to bath water to make childbirth easier. Margaret used it for all four of her children and daughter-in-law Jenny used it while she was pregnant. She said it worked for her.

Davyd and Jenny both attended Mt. Blue. After finishing college, they met up on the cross country ski trails behind his home and started talking. They met again and became an item. The pair attended graduate school in England; Davyd for international studies and Jenny for marketing.

Davyd said, “The differences of sustainable agriculture versus industrial agriculture motivated me to have a small farm. It’s a lot of work but rewarding. It’s more of a lifestyle.”

Davyd said the couple looked for land and were told about the 178 Plains Road property just down from the fairgrounds and a few doors down from Black Crow Bakery in Litchfield. The real estate agent said nothing about the property’s 2 streams and pond.

The property also has seven acres of pasture and 20 acres of forest which is connected to the Kennebec Land Trust forest. They’ve been there about 3.5 years and “It’s worked out well,” Davyd said.  

Jenny said the Collinson family do a lot together. She calls her farm a “gentleman’s farm”. She wants to be able to run it themselves rather than hiring a lot of help.

An extension of the Farmington berry patch is being developed there. Sheep have been added and lamb meat will be sold next year. Cheese may be offered in the future. 

Jenny said people can stop by and visit although they do not have open hours at the farm. In Farmington, products are sold at Up Front and Pleasant Gourmet, The Calico Patch, and Tranten’s. Items are also sold in Kent’s Hill and Brunswick. For more information, stop by the Farmington farmers’ market; visit www.collinsonfarm.com; or call 207-485-4299.

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