Sewall Organic Orchard

Our philosophy is based on an elemental idea of organics: Healthy soil produces healthy plants that create healthy people. Our farm is a place that welcomes all living organisms. Therefore, we use no substances that are toxic or that kill. Pest control is achieved via the use of biodynamic techniques. We also hand-remove pests when possible and practice good husbandry by pruning and mowing.

Our next step is to work with the microorganisms in our soil in a more conscientious and direct way using soil amendments. Our desire is to have a complete and healthy biosphere.

Sewall's Orchard is located in Lincolnville, Maine on the south side of Levensellar Mountain at an elevation of 250-500 feet above sea level. The top of our blueberry field rises high above the orchard and looks out over the Camden Hills State Park and parts of Penobscot Bay to the southeast, and Acadia National Park hard to the east. The vista from the top also includes Coleman, Pitcher, Norton and Knight's Ponds and Megunticook Lake.	From the top of the hill.	Ours is the oldest organically certified orchard in the state of Maine. Before we planted our trees in 1980, we spent two years preparing the soil using the Rodale method. We have 550 trees on standard and semi-dwarf root stock, the majority of which came from Stark Brothers in Missouri. The rest are heirloom varieties from various parts of New England.
In September of each year, workers are needed to pick apples and press cider. Our workers usually hear about us by word of mouth, and come and camp out on the land for the fall months. Requirements are an ability to work hard, flexibility, and a love of the outdoors. Besides picking apples and pressing and bottling cider, our workers interact with customers, lead tours of the orchard, take orders and sell at the farm, and sometimes deliver cider and apples to the stores that carry our products. At times, workers may do stonemasonry jobs with Bob if they are interested and willing to learn. Please contact Bob for specifics regarding pay, job duties and camping arrangements.

Prima, a hybrid Jonathan that is resistant to disease and fungus. These are red apples with yellow highlights, medium to large, good for baking, cider and eating when fresh. They keep for 4 to 6 weeks in cold storage such as a root cellar or refrigerator.

Priscilla, a hybrid Red Delicious which is also disease and fungus resistant. Priscilla apples are red and somewhat elongated in shape, with a distinctive series of five points on the bottom similar to those of a Red Delicious. This is where the similarity ends. They are crisp with a sweet, full-bodied flavor. They gain full flavor after 3 to 4 weeks of storage, thus earning classification as a good "keeping apple". They store easily for 3 months.

Golden Delicious, bred for heavy bearing and flavor. This is a bright yellow apple with some green tinge remaining. It is elongated and medium in size. Goldens are good to eat, give an unusual and pleasant taste to baked goods, and make an outstanding sweet tasting cider. These store for 2 months.

Jonagolds, a hybrid of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples. This apple is red with golden streaks, elongated and medium to large in size. These are superior eating apples, good for cooking and store well up to 2 months. The remainder of the orchard is planted with 15 heirloom varieties, such as Black Oxford, Winter Banana, Red Astrakan, and Maiden Blush.

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Our organic apple cider vinegar was included in Down East magazine, "Best Of Maine" issue ( January 2008)!

Vinegar Label Organic apples, blueberries and our famous apple cider (all in season) Organic apple cider vinegar (year round) made from our cider. Our cider is made on our farm using an Orchard Equipment press and fresh, organic apples. We do not pasteurize, nor do we add preservatives, chemicals, sweeteners or artificial flavors. For inquiries concerning our products, Email apples@sewallorchard.com .

Vinegar- Our vinegar has all the attributes mentioned for the cider, and people enjoy it as a cooking ingredient and folk remedy. It is made without additives and is not heated (pasteurized).

Cider- Our cider, like yogurt, is a raw, "living" food. Refrigerated cider keeps 7 to 10 days before it begins to "turn" (grow fizzy, become alcoholic) It freezes well, and needs to be shaken (not stirred) when thawed for use. It is high in vitamins and mineral-rich.

What some of our customers have to say:

Read more customer testimonials!

Where to Find our Products
Note from June 2008:

Cider Label Federal regulations regarding pasteurization of cider have brought about changes in where we are able to wholesale our cider. Please see us in the fall at the Saturday Camden Farmer's Market , get cider at Back Country Food Buying Coop, Liberty/Montville or contact us about buying cider from the farm, joining with other interested families in your area and getting bulk deliveries to a central location or getting friends to join you in pre-ordering freezer-ready cider that you may keep and use year round. There is always a way to get the whole, living cider you love!

Our apple products have traditionally been sold from Belfast to Damariscotta Maine. We thank the following stores for many wonderful years of partnership; many of these stores will continue to carry our apples and apple cider vinegar.

Rising Tide Coop- Damariscotta
Good Tern Coop- Rockland
Market Basket- Rockport
French and Brawn - Camden
Second Read- Rockland
Zoot Coffee - Camden
Nature's Choice- Camden
Megunticook Market- Camden
At our farm- Lincolnville

We provide most of the cider at the annual Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine, the permanent site for Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners. Come see us at our booth at the fair and help us celebrate rural living. And come to our farm and see where it all grows!

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