Research and Extension Activities at
Rogers Farm
The University of Maine's
Forage and Crops Research Facility in Stillwater, Maine
History of Rogers Farm
Rogers Farm was purchased by The University of Maine in the spring of 1947, as
additional land to grow forage for the University's dairy herd. The need for more land was
the result of rapidly increasing student enrollment and new building construction during
the post-war years. Many of the remaining fields being used for forage production were
small, which created problems for the mechanical harvesting of forage crops. A second
reason for its purchase was the need to have acreage in the Orono area to conduct research
primarily on forage crops and small grains. Approximately 11 acres of the farm were set
aside for crop research. The hay barn was renovated to serve as workspace and machine
storage.
Research at the farm included extensive studies in the growing and managing of alfalfa and other forage crops. Plots were also
used to evaluate new varieties of field corn, oats, wheat, barley, and soybeans.
Another project of widespread interest was the search for ground cover for
highway planting to stabilize new grading. For several years, research was
conducted on the effect of soil moisture stress on tuber formation in potatoes.
These studies were useful to growers who were interested in irrigating potatoes
Current Information
Rogers Farm encompasses 100 acres of land on the Bennoch Road in Stillwater,
Maine. The facilities consist of one laboratory, a Quonset hut with a shop and
drying room, two storage buildings, a 30x50 hoop house for vegetable growing,
and the home of the farm superintendent.
Research & Extension Activities
Rogers Farm continues to be used for forage, small grain and organic/sustainable
agriculture projects. Current research projects include investigations on controlling
weeds through the use of various green manures, tillage, residue management, and crop
rotation. Other projects include weed control in field and sweet corn and potatoes, the
use of cover crops in soybean production to prevent soil erosion, soybean silage variety
trials, and cover cropping and mulching in potatoes. Controlling striped cucumber beetles
in winter squash and insect management in potatoes are two other projects underway at
Rogers Farm.
Along with applied research projects, Rogers Farm is the home of the Penobscot County
Master Gardener Demonstration Garden. This three-quarter-acre plot is used by 40 to 50
Master Gardener Volunteers each year. They develop, plant, and maintain the plot, which
includes many "gardens within the garden" — a white garden, herb gardens, a
perennial border, a Plant-a-Row Garden, and much more.
Rogers Farm also is home to ornamental plant evaluations and shrub rose hardiness
trials in the Penobscot County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden. The shrub rose
hardiness trials contain more than 125 shrub roses. The annual plant trials include an
All-America Selections Display Garden and trials of various groups of annuals.
University of Maine students use Rogers Farm to run their community-supported
agriculture program, the Black Bear Food Guild. Students manage a three-acre vegetable
garden, providing fresh organically grown vegetables twice a week to 60 share holders.
Extra produce is sold at a farm stand at Rogers Farm and at the Orono Farmers' Market.
Directions
North: Exit 193 off of I-95, right onto Stillwater Ave. At the 3rd traffic light turn left onto
Bennoch Rd. (Rt. 16W). Go up Bennoch Rd. 1.6 miles. Rogers Farm is on the
left.
South: Exit 193 off of I-95, left onto Stillwater Ave. At the 3rd traffic light turn left onto
Bennoch Rd. (Rt. 16W). Go up Bennoch Rd. 1.6 miles. Rogers Farm is on the left.
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