Four year old Madelyn Emery of Farmington tries to gain the attention of a Murray Grey beef animal Sunday, July 28, during a Maine Open Farm Day visit to Black Acres Farm in Wilton. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

WILTON — A warm sunny day greeted visitors Sunday, July 28, during the 35th Annual Maine Open Farm Day where one participant was Black Acres Farm in Wilton.

Four-year-old Madelyn Emery of Farmington tried to get close to a rooster, but he just scampered away. She then went in the barn but most of the cattle were elsewhere. She was shown how the automatic water station worked, then took a closer look at one Murray Grey beef animal sleeping in the sun before she and her relative Mike Blanchet, also of Farmington headed back to the sap house area.

Jon and Sue Chapin, their daughters and grandchildren were enjoying vanilla ice cream with maple syrup on it at a table outside the sap house. “I wanted to come with the family,” Sue, of Waterville, noted. Her daughters live in Augusta and Belgrade, they indicated.

“Ice cream is better with maple syrup on it,” granddaughter Ellie Burton of Belgrade, said.

Three generations enjoy ice cream with maple syrup Sunday, July 28, during a Maine Open Farm Day visit to Black Acres Farm in Wilton. Pictured from left are Erin Chapin of Augusta; niece Ellie Burton, sister Bethany Burton and nephew Blake Burton, all of Belgrade; and parents Sue and Jon Chapin of Waterville. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Cattle numbers at the farm are down as many are pastured elsewhere, James Black stated. Many of those at the farm seek shady areas outside over staying in the barn during warm weather, he noted.

Black provided wagon tours throughout the day of the pastures where rotational grazing was seen and explained. Other family members helped serve burger lunches and assisted with product purchases.

“We were hoping to be in the new building,” James Black noted between tours. The goal is to have the kitchen ready by Christmas, the new store open by the first of the year, he said. There will be a farm to table restaurant in the summer, he stated.

Nathan Holt of Farmington holds his 20-month old son Hudson Sunday, July 28, during a Maine Open Farm Day visit to Black Acres Farm in Wilton. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Black Acres Farm LLC received a $224,500 Agriculture Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) grant in 2022. Originally owned by state senator Russell Black and his wife Susan, the farm is now in a trust under their children.

At that time, son James said he wrote the grant because “it was a perfect match to what we have been trying to do over the last few years.” An existing concrete pad that already has access to water and electricity is being used to build the new processing facility/commercial kitchen.

Nathan Holt of Farmington, his wife Abby and 20-month old son Hudson were taking a lunch break while visiting the farm. Burger baskets made way for dessert for Hudson who tried to get every bit of the sweet, cold treat.

Susan Black at right helps Roger Steere of Pittston with his lunch Sunday, July 28, during a Maine Open Farm Day visit to Black Acres Farm in Wilton. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

At another table Roger and Judy Steere and Dee Newman, all of Pittston were catching up with Melissa “Missy” Black Canty. Canty told the former owners of the Wilton Blueberry Farm and The Apple Core one of her fondest memories was of the large molasses cookies she once got at The Apple Core in East Wilton.

Mike Blanchet of Farmington at left is among those preparing for a tour Sunday, July 28, during a Maine Open Farm Day visit to Black Acres Farm in Wilton. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

“Maine Open Farm Day is not as busy as Maine Maple Sunday,” James Black stated. “It is another opportunity to see what we do, get more people connected with their food. More people are interested in that.”