Dozens of people turned out for Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 27 at Lyric Meadow Farms in Boothbay, owned and operated by Mary Linda Rapelye.

Lyric Meadow Farm is the only Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association certified organic farm on the Boothbay peninsula.

Eleven-year-old helper Wyatt Oakes greeted people who came by, and let people know how to find the different areas of the farm. He and farm manager Med MacKusick showed families the friendly alpacas, free-range chickens, horses and pig.

Wyatt explained how the horses had strong personalities, and how they didn't get along well with the miniature pig, named Philomena Florence Darlington. The alpacas, on the other hand, have no problem with her so they live together.

Kids enjoyed pony rides on the miniature horse, named Sawmill River Goldmine (who is called Elijah around the farm), petting the alpacas, feeding hay to the horses, and seeing where the chickens lay their eggs.

Adults learned about the vegetables and herbs sold on the farm, and what makes Lyric Meadows an organic farm. There were many products for sale, including eggs, vegetables, herbs, alpaca wool and raw roving, finger puppets made from wool, bird balls, manure tea, organic compost, and sawdust.

“Sawdust is so much better for animals that wood shavings,” Rapelye said. “Sawdust absorbs urine better than shavings, and the manure doesn't stick to sawdust like it does shavings. It's also softer and more comfortable for the animals, and there's a lot less waste when mucking out the pens.”

Bagged sawdust also stores easily during the winter, and is great for smaller-sized farms which don't always have the space or machinery to blow in large quantities of sawdust.

The “manure tea” is not for humans to drink — it's a concentrated fertilizer product. A 32 ounce container makes 5 gallons of fertilizer.

Lyric Meadows has frequent open farm days on Sundays. Call 207-350-1969 to check availability. The farm is also available for children's birthday parties, which will include games as well as activities with the animals. There is a gazebo in the garden for a gathering place for presents, ice cream and cake.

“This gives kids a chance to celebrate in a natural setting, surrounded by animals and the beauty of nature,” Rapelye said. “What could be better than that?”