Stevenson’s Strawberries thrives as one of Maine’s top pick-your-own strawberry farms

Stevenson’s Strawberries has grown into one of Maine’s most popular pick-your-own strawberry farms and pumpkin destinations. What began with a single acre nearly five decades ago has expanded into 130 acres of strawberries, pumpkins and mixed vegetables, managed today by Tom Stevenson and his family.

From one acre to 130

In the late 1970s, Ford and Susan Stevenson researched crops that could thrive in a small space and chose strawberries for their pick-your-own strawberry farms model. Their son, Tom, joined after college, expanding the farm’s offerings with sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelons and more. By 2008, father and son opened Stevenson Farm Stand in Winthrop, creating a go-to stop for produce.

“I grew up on the farm but left as soon as I could drive and get away,” Tom Stevenson said. “But I came back in 2004 and started growing corn and mixed vegetables and ran a couple of farm stands — one I leased and one I owned.”

Unlike many Maine farms known for potatoes, blueberries and apples, the Stevensons chose to differentiate themselves.

A family-run business

By 2015, Ford retired, and Tom officially took over strawberry operations. He now runs the farm with his wife, Ashley, and their children, Hadley, Hannah, and Ford. “We successfully transitioned the farm, and it wasn’t an easy job,” Stevenson said. “Throughout the years, we have received great satisfaction as we have watched our valued customers return time after time to pick our fresh berries.”

Today, the farm manages about 20 acres of strawberries, 30 acres of mixed vegetables, and 50 acres of rye or oats, with the rest in rotation.

Pick-your-own strawberry farms remain a draw

Strawberry season, running from late June to early August, is especially popular. Stevenson offers discounts to encourage larger picking volumes. “It has changed a little bit, as we see less people jamming and freezing,” he said. “We still have some heavy pickers who will pick 30 panels, but we’ll get the families picking five panels or so. We also do a discount for 10% off if you pick more than 30 just to promote more picking.”

Pumpkins, watermelons and cantaloupes complement the strawberries. In 2024, strawberry season started earlier than usual, creating challenges before school let out. Still, Stevenson said, “We had a fine year. The crop was good.”

That came as a relief after the difficult 2023 season. “It rained almost every day for a month and a half, and just never stopped all summer,” he recalled. “So, 2024 has been a real treat. We had some rain and wacky weather, but it was considerably better.”

Frost protection challenges

Frost remains a major hurdle for the farm. “Frost protection on the strawberries on our farm is a huge deal,” Stevenson explained. “Just where we’re located —we’re in wicked frosty hole, one of the first valleys in front of the four of the mountains of western Maine, so cold air in the spring just piles in off those hills.”

From May through mid-June, Stevenson uses overhead irrigation three times a week to shield strawberries from frost damage. “Our strawberries are on real light, light sand and a huge benefit is we can really pile the water on and get on the fields within a day or two,” he said.

Soil health sustainability

Stevenson relies on cover crops and green manure to build soil health. “We essentially keep every acre covered with something growing as long as possible,” he said. Pumpkins remain a challenge because they are harvested late, leaving little time for cover cropping.

The farm is also preparing for upcoming PFAS regulations, a challenge many growers in Maine are facing.

Team effort and seasonal workers

Family plays a central role in farm operations, but Stevenson also hires seasonal workers from April through November. During strawberry season, the workforce expands to about 20 people, with another six to eight staffing the farm stand.

“We find a good team, especially anyone we can get to return, helps to make us a success,” Stevenson said. Teachers and education staff have been strong seasonal workers, as their summer schedules align well with the farm’s needs.

Looking to the future

Stevenson plans to continue the legacy his parents built and hopes to prepare the farm for the next generation. He sees growth opportunities in wholesale, though he’s not ready to expand in that direction yet.

“I want to grow the farm without requiring a ton of pickers,” he said. “If we do get into selling more stuff, we may need to start using H-2A workers.”

For now, Stevenson continues to add crops like watermelon and cantaloupes while exploring other possibilities. “We’re a small farm in a small farm state, surrounded by big guys, but we will continue to consciously expand,” he said.

Looking back, he values his decision to return. “It’s a great life; of course, it’s not so great when you don’t have a successful year, but it’s rewarding to call your own shots,” Stevenson said. “You reap the rewards and suffer the risk, and it would be really hard for me to give this up at this point in my life.”