What Dandelion Spring Farm does

Dandelion Spring Farm is a Certified Organic (MOFGA and USDA) sole proprietorship founded in 2002 by Beth Schiller, operating on an 85-acre property in Bowdoinham, Maine that is permanently protected under a Maine Farmland Trust agricultural easement. The farm specializes in specialty vegetables and herbs for Midcoast and Southern Maine, with particular emphasis on salad greens, culinary and medicinal herbs, Japanese mustards, sprouting broccolis, and heirloom tomatoes. Production runs year-round through greenhouse operations and a no-till permanent bed system adopted in 2024, with sales concentrated within a 45-minute radius of the farm.

Revenue is generated across a diversified portfolio of channels. Core recurring revenue comes from a debit-style CSA program (Summer CSA in $100 increments with a 10% pre-May bonus, Winter CSA at $230, and a Spring Fling Mini CSA), which functions as prepaid farm credit usable across markets, workshops, and value-added products. Direct-to-consumer sales run through the Portland Farmers' Market at Deering Oaks Park (Saturdays April-October) and a Portland winter market. Wholesale produce is sold directly to local restaurants and chefs seeking distinctive specialty crops. The Hive, a timber-framed event venue completed in 2021, introduces a non-agricultural revenue stream through workshop fees ($38-$85), seasonal celebrations ($50-$55), Taco Nights, and venue rentals ($600-$8,000 per event). Value-added herbal products (tinctures, herbal honey, vegan soaps at $6-$18) round out the catalog.

The farm serves three core segments: individual consumers (CSA members and farmers' market shoppers), restaurants and chefs (wholesale specialty produce buyers), and food security organizations (Cumberland County Food Security, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, and Bowdoinham Food Pantry via the CSA-for-Food-Pantries donation channel). Distribution depends on direct farmer-to-customer relationships reinforced by blog content, an email newsletter, and on-farm events. As of 2024, the farm is operating in its 22nd+ season following a deliberate contraction in production field size and exit from the Rockland farmers' market after two decades, signaling a strategic shift toward smaller-scale, no-till specialty growing and venue-based revenue diversification.

Name

Dandelion Spring Farm

Legal name

Dandelion Spring Farm

Website

https://dandelionspringfarm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dandelion Spring Farm is a MOFGA and USDA Certified Organic farm in Bowdoinham, Maine (founded 2002) that produces specialty vegetables and herbs for individual CSA members, farmers' markets, and local restaurants, while operating The Hive event venue for workshops, weddings, and community gatherings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Certified Organic Vegetable and Herb Farming

NAICS

Vegetable and Melon Farming (1112), Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic Herb, Spice & Medicinal/Aromatic Plant Farming (AFAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Herb Farming (Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Mint, Dill) (AFAGADAK), Greenhouse Herb & Microgreens Production (Culinary Herbs, Microgreens) (AFAGAHAC), Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands (Fresh Food) (CRAHAHAE)

Keywords

• Certified organic produce
• Community supported agriculture
• Specialty herb farming
• CSA vegetable shares
• Agritourism event venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Bowdoinham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. CSA Shares & Farm Credit: Debit-style CSA shares purchased in $100 increments, valid for fresh vegetables, seedlings, value-added products, and herbal items at farmers' markets. Credit never expires and is transferable. Pre-purchases made before May 1 receive 10% bonus value.
2. Farmers' Market Sales: Direct retail sales at Portland Farmers' Market (Deering Oaks Park, Saturdays, April-October) and Portland winter market (631 Stevens Ave, Saturdays November-March).
3. Restaurant & Chef Wholesale: Wholesale produce sales to local restaurants and chefs, specializing in diverse, specialty crops including salad greens, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, Japanese mustards, sprouting broccolis, and flavored tomatoes.
4. Hive Venue Rentals: Rental revenue from The Hive timber-framed space including Half Day ($600), Full Day ($1000), Corporate/Wedding ($3000), and Weekend Wedding packages ($8000).
5. Workshops & Events: Revenue from seasonal celebrations ($50-$55), workshops ($38-$85), Taco Nights ($5 ticket + food), and special gatherings at The Hive.
6. Herbal Products: Sale of organic tinctures ($18), herbal packages, herbal honey ($15), soap ($6+), and value-added herbal products made from farm-grown or sustainably harvested herbs.
7. CSA for Food Pantries: Donation-based program where 100% of share value transfers as fresh produce to local food security agencies (Cumberland County Food Security, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, Bowdoinham Food Pantry).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dandelion Spring Farm is a MOFGA and USDA Certified Organic farm in Bowdoinham, Maine that grows and sells specialty vegetables and herbs. The farm distributes produce primarily through CSA debit-style shares redeemable at the Portland Farmers' Market, direct wholesale to local restaurants and chefs, and an on-site e-commerce store for value-added herbal products. Operations also encompass The Hive, a timber-framed event and workshop venue on the farm, and a CSA-for-Food-Pantries donation program supporting three local food-security agencies.

Product overview

Dandelion Spring Farm is a Certified Organic farm in Bowdoinham, Maine specializing in vegetables and herbs. The farm operates primarily through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) model with multiple share types including Summer CSA, Winter CSA, and Spring Fling Mini CSA. Additionally, the farm offers seasonal workshops and events at 'The Hive,' a timber-framed community gathering space available for rental. The product portfolio includes value-added herbal products such as organic tinctures (Oregano, Ashwagandha, Elecampane, Tulsi, Nettle, Lemonbalm, Dandelion, Yarrow, Rose Glycerite, Tulsi Glycerite), herb-infused honeys, and farm-made vegan soaps. The farm also sells vegetables and herbs wholesale to local restaurants and chefs, and runs a CSA for Food Pantries program to support food security. All products are Certified Organic through MOFGA and USDA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Hive: A newly built timber-framed barn and community gathering space on the farm, used for workshops, events, rentals, and farm-to-table dinners. Named after the locus of nutrition and community for honey bee colonies.

Products and services

• Summer CSA & Gift Certificates Debit-style CSA share purchased in $100 increments, redeemable for fresh vegetables, seedlings, value-added products, and herbal items at the Portland Farmers' Market; credit never expires and is transferable. Designed for individual consumers and households seeking flexible, year-round access to certified organic produce with the option to gift to others.
• Winter CSA Farmer-select seasonal CSA providing 10 weekly pickup dates of greenhouse greens and winter roots from December through March. Priced at $230 total ($115 deposit with balance due December 1) with pickup in Bowdoinham or Portland. Intended for individual consumers and households seeking continued produce access through Maine's winter months.
• Spring Fling Mini CSA Two-week spring CSA short-season share featuring greenhouse spinach, root vegetables, elderberry syrup, and pesto, bridging the gap between winter and summer CSA seasons for individual consumers and households.
• CSA for Food Pantries Donation-style CSA subscription available as a one-time or monthly contribution (from $25) where 100% of the share value is transferred as fresh certified organic produce to local food security agencies including Cumberland County Food Security, Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, and Bowdoinham Food Pantry. Designed for community members seeking to direct donations to food-insecure neighbors.
• The Hive Event Space Rental Timber-framed community gathering space on the working farm available for rental with Half Day ($600), Full Day ($1000), Corporate/Wedding ($3000), and Weekend Wedding ($8000) packages. Includes tables, chairs, sound system, parking for 35 cars, walk-in cooler, and on-site farm access for photos. Targeted at wedding couples, corporate event organizers, and private party hosts.
• Workshops & Seasonal Celebrations Ticketed seasonal gatherings and educational workshops hosted at The Hive, including Taco Nights ($5 ticket plus $30 adult or $7 children's plate), Herbal First Aid workshops ($38-$55 sliding scale), Storytelling workshops ($75-$85), and seasonal celebrations such as the Summer Solstice Gathering ($50). Designed for community members interested in herbal education, storytelling, and seasonal farm-based rituals.
• Organic Tinctures & Herbal Packages 1oz organic tincture bottles ($18 each) made from farm-grown or sustainably harvested herbs infused in Maine-made organic spirits, with offerings including Oregano, Ashwagandha, Elecampane, Tulsi, Nettle, Lemonbalm, Dandelion Root & Leaf, Yarrow, Rose Glycerite, and Tulsi Glycerite. Also available in herbal packages. Targeted at individual consumers seeking plant-based herbal wellness products.
• Ashwagandha & Elecampane Herbal Honey Herbal honey steeped with adaptogenic roots, sold in 3oz Ashwagandha honey jars ($15, for stamina and focus) and 8oz Elecampane honey jars ($15, for respiratory support). Targeted at individual consumers seeking wellness-supporting pantry products.
• Dandelion Spring Farm Soap Vegan soap made with farm-grown herbs infused in olive oil and blended with organic olive, palm, and coconut oils, sold from $6 per bar. Available scents include Tulsi Forest, Calendula-Citrus-Sage, and Rosemary Charcoal, plus a variety pack. Targeted at individual consumers seeking natural personal-care products.
• Vegetables & Herbs (Wholesale) Certified organic specialty vegetables and herbs sold wholesale directly to local chefs and restaurants, with offerings including salad greens, culinary and medicinal herbs, Japanese mustards, sprouting broccolis, and flavorful heirloom tomatoes. Targeted at local chef-driven culinary establishments seeking distinctive ingredients that differentiate their menus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 years of continuous CSA operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Maine Farmland TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine Farmland Trust holds an agricultural easement on the Bowdoinham property, permanently protecting the 85-acre farm for agricultural use. This partnership ensures the land will forever remain available for farming, not development.
• Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association (MOFGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Schiller served as past president of MOFGA. Farm is MOFGA certified organic. Collaboration on projects with U. Maine extension and Maine Farmland Trust takes place in the community.
• PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeth wrote an article for Patagonia about the farm's PFAS experience and journey, documenting the farm's transparency and sustainable practices. Photographer Greta Rybus documented the farm.
• Stone Barns CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth attended an entrepreneurial intensive at Stone Barns Center in New York with 14 other farmers from across the country, working with William Rosenzweig and other experts on farm business development.
• Oxbow BrewingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortland pickup location for CSA shares and pre-orders at Oxbow Brewing on Washington Ave, providing convenient access for urban customers.
• Cumberland County Food SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three vital local agencies supported through CSA for Food Pantries program. Farm aims to raise $1,500 annually for this organization.
• Midcoast Hunger Prevention ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three vital local agencies supported through CSA for Food Pantries program. Farm aims to raise $1,500 annually for this organization.
• Bowdoinham Food PantryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of three vital local agencies supported through CSA for Food Pantries program. Farm aims to raise $1,500 annually for this organization.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Red Tomato: A Canton, MA-based nonprofit distribution and marketing organization sourcing from Northeast family farms and supplying restaurants and grocers. Operates as a route-to-market for similar Northeastern organic farms and restaurants.

Direct peers

• Wild Gardens: A small certified organic farm in Penobscot, ME growing specialty salad greens, culinary herbs, and heirloom vegetables for wholesale restaurant accounts in Midcoast Maine. Regional direct peer for the same chef-driven specialty crop model.
• Hawthorne Valley Farm: A certified biodynamic/organic farm in Ghent, NY operating a 12-month CSA, an on-farm store, and a value-added dairy, bakery, and herbal product line. Highly comparable mix of vegetable CSA, value-added products, and farm-based community programming.
• Honey Brook Organic Farm: A MOFGA-adjacent certified organic CSA farm in Pennington, NJ (additional location in PA) delivering produce shares and supplying local restaurants with specialty vegetables and herbs. Closely comparable in CSA-led GTM and direct-to-chef wholesale model.
• Roxbury Farm: A certified organic CSA vegetable farm in Hudson, NY running a similar debit-style CSA model with wholesale restaurant accounts and member farms in the Northeast. Direct operational peer for vegetable and herb production, CSA structure, and small diversified crew.
• Brookfield Farm: A certified organic CSA farm in Amherst, MA with share-based summer and winter programs, on-farm education, and wholesale accounts. Comparable scale, region, and CSA-driven revenue model.
• Local Roots NYC: A New York City-based CSA aggregation platform running debit-style farm share programs sourced from regional Northeast organic farms for urban households. Highly comparable subscription/CSA mechanics and chef/restaurant wholesale relationships.
• Six River Farm: A certified organic vegetable and herb farm in Bowdoinham, ME operating CSA, farmers' market, and wholesale channels in the Midcoast Maine region. Local direct peer on geography, scale, and customer mix.

Broad incumbents

• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: A nonprofit farm and education center in Pocantico Hills, NY running a working four-season farm, farm-to-table restaurant (Blue Hill at Stone Barns), CSA, and public programming. Overlaps in organic production, on-farm events, and chef partnerships at meaningfully larger scale.

Regional players

• Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op: A producer cooperative of 120+ organic farms primarily in the Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania) selling CSA shares, wholesale produce, and value-added items. Comparable organic CSA/wholesale model but operates as a multi-farm cooperative at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/dandelionspringfarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/dandelionspringfarm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dandelion-spring-farm

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dandelion Spring Farm