In July 1909 the state purchased 225 acres located in Monmouth and Leeds to be used as an experimental farm for carrying out research and demonstrations relating to apples. The land and buildings were later deeded to the University. Approximately 5,000 apple trees had been planted at Highmoor Farm in the 1880s, but only about 3,200 were in usable condition when the University took over the farm. These were mostly the popular export apples of that time—Ben Davis and Baldwin, with a few trees of Russett, Greening, Mann and Tolman varieties.

In 1927 a plot of land to the southwest was added to the farm, and in 1966 the State Department of Agriculture turned over about two more acres of land to Highmoor Farm.

Orchard problems have always been high on the list of priorities for research at Highmoor. Early research was directed toward the problems of fertilization, pruning, and management of ground cover. After suffering losses from cold winters, especially that of 1932, a major effort was made to secure hardy rootstocks, an effort that has been quite successful. Research on suitability of cultivars and rootstocks to Maine climate is continuing today. While Highmoor was primarily an "apple farm," other crops and cows received attention from time to time. New sweet corn varieties, cucumbers, a cantaloupe, the FNC tomato, two strawberries, and an apple, the Brock, were developed at Highmoor.

Current Information

Highmoor Farm currently encompasses 278 acres on Route 202 in Monmouth, Maine, with 17 acres in orchards and five acres of vegetables and small fruits. The facilities consist of two large barns, two laboratories, a shop, ten storages, two hoop houses, and a greenhouse. In addition to these facilities the farm houses the offices of University of Maine Cooperative Extension's tree fruit specialist, small fruit specialist, vegetable specialist, and vegetable specialist.

Research & Extension Activities

Highmoor Farm is ideally suited to provide research-based information for the apple industry, but it is also home to active vegetable and small fruit variety trials and integrated pest management programs. Currently, the farm is the site of an evaluation of new apple cultivars, part of a multistate project that is attempting to identify new apple varieties that are hardy and productive with high consumer appeal. Another project with apples is an evaluation of rootstocks in various environments and under different management systems.

The farm is the site of vegetable and small fruit variety trials. Recent trials have included green peppers, snap beans, onions, sweet corn, and strawberries. Researchers at the farm are also trying to improve the transplant quality of muskmelons and to develop new ways to manage corn earworm on sweet corn and powdery mildew on pumpkins.

In addition to these projects, Highmoor Farm serves as the base for Cooperative Extension's apple and sweet corn IPM scouting and nutrient management programs. There is also a medicinal herb demonstration garden, with 20 to 25 commonly used herbs, and a recent agreement between The University of Maine and the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation sets aside some land at the farm to be used for a breeding orchard of American chestnut trees. A hazel nut trial begins in Spring 2005 on one acre of land.

The Maine Compost School program is now being offered at Highmoor Farm. Participants receive classroom instruction, laboratory experience and hands-on project exercises in this setting.

Directions

North: I-95 North to exit 86 Sabattus. Turn left at exit, travel 1 mile then turn right at stop light onto Rt 126. Travel about 2 miles, turn left onto Rt 132 for 4.5 miles, then left onto Leeds Junction road for 2.8 miles.  Turn right onto US Rt 202 for 1.3 miles, to 52 US Rt 202 on the right.

South: I-95 South to exit 112A Augusta. Take US Rt 202 West towards Winthrop, follow for about 15 miles to 52 US Rt 202 on the left.