When Maine organic farmer Mary-Linda Rapelye was introduced as one of the judges at the Miss Windjammer pageant on June 28, people who she never met knew of her instantly from the brief bio read by the master of ceremonies.

The actress, who appeared in such television series as “Ironside” and “Medical Center” in 1969, the movies “In Cold Blood” in 1967 and “The Proposal” in 2009 and daytime dramas “As the World Turns” and “One Life to Live,” is best known for her portrayal of Irina Galilulin on the original “Star Trek” series.

“Yes, I was Chekov’s girlfriend,” Rapelye said when asked about her 1969 appearance on the “Star Trek” episode “The Way to Eden.”

Rapelye’s character was a member of a 23rd century idealistic hippie group led by an irrational leader looking to settle the mythical planet Eden. The group hijacked the Enterprise and headed for the planet. Like Chekov, Galiulin was Russian and his former Star Fleet classmate and girlfriend.

The role is still remembered by “Star Trek” fans who ask her about it either in Maine or when she travels to a convention. Rapelye was invited to the recent Comic Con in Boston held Aug. 12-14, commemorating the series’ 50th anniversary, but she wasn’t able to attend. 

Rapelye did attend several “Star Trek” conventions from 2003 to 2007 in Pasadena, California, Las Vegas, Nevada and near her birthplace of Kansas City, Missouri. Each time she has attended a “Star Trek” event the most asked question by fans is “What was it like working with Bill Shatner?”

“He was then, and still is now, a very amusing man,” she said.

In 1999, she took an entirely different role: as a Maine organic farmer. Recently divorced and living in Connecticut, she decided to continue acting and begin a separate career organic farming. She purchased an 1850’s-style farmhouse in Boothbay. Her farm is named after a beloved 28-year-old mare, Lyric, who she owned for 20 years before the horse died. The mare is buried under a flower garden on the property.

On her six acres, she has over 60 animals: three horses (an Andalusian, shetland pony, and a miniature) two alpacas, two miniature pigs, 24 chickens, 14 guinea hens, two rabbits, one fainting goat from Utah and two Dwarf Nigerian goats acquired from Sunflower Farm in Cumberland.

She also breeds miniature goldendoodles. “It’s a very popular breed. They have the poodle’s intelligence and non-shedding quality along with the golden retriever’s temperament,” Rapelye said. “They’re small, lovey and goofy and are just the perfect dog.”

Her Lyric Meadow Farm, located at 107 Dover Road, produces organically grown vegetables, fresh organic hen eggs, and organic pullets.

Her farm sells Alpaca hair, hen eggs, freshly grown herbs, honey, compost, bagged sawdust and organically grown vegetables. There is also a dressage arena for pony rides. The farm also includes a birdhouse walk through a woodland trail. Kids earn a free pony ride by identifying the birds in the various birdhouses along the path.

The farm also has a bed and breakfast inside the old farmhouse. According to Rapelye, the location is ideal for weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, corporate events and other celebrations.

Living in Boothbay provides Rapelye with the opportunity to pursue both of her lifelong passions: animals and acting. Both began at an early age. When she was 5, Rapelye appeared on stage at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. At the same age, she began horseback riding.

“When I was 5 all I wanted to do was go to the pony ring to ride and to our family friend’s place who owned the Nichols Farm outside of Kansas City,” she said.

When Rapelye moved to Boothbay she was well-versed in the region’s beauty. In 1967, her family purchased the F.B. Higgins Lobster Co. in Boothbay Harbor.

“I was acting in California when they purchased the dock so I had visited the region regularly since then, and in 1999, I decided why not farm here,” she said.

Rapelye has been interested in the organic movement since the 1960s. Her farm is certified by Maine Organic Farming and Gardening Association (MOFGA). According to its website, MOFGA started in 1971 and is the oldest and largest association of its kind in the country; it works to protect the environment and illuminate the connection between healthful food grown through environmentally sound practices. “I’ve always wanted to farm. I’m an organic farmer because I’m interested in food sustainability and believe we need to do a better job in protecting the planet,” Rapelye said.

Her first major farm project was modernizing the old farmhouse. The house had no toilets or modern plumbing. The second task was removing debris from the property’s wooded back lot.

“I removed an old rusted car on the property for my pony riding area. It was a big reclamation project,” she said.

The farm's daily operation keeps her busy, but Rapelye continues her acting career. She has an agent and uses a booking agency to find her roles. One of her best reviews came in 2009 performing the stage play “The Rivalry.” The play was about the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates for the Illinois U.S. Senate seat in 1858.

She portrayed Stephen Douglas’ wife in the play performed at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York City.

“I’m still acting. I love being able to create the reality of another human being,” Rapelye said.

The second most asked question of Rapelye is how she got her name: Mary-Linda. It's one she shares with her mother.

“My grandmother wanted to combine her name (Linda), her mother-in-law’s, and my great-grandmother’s names (Mary) to name my mother Mary-Linda. I was named after my mother and she told me that’s your name so don’t ever let anybody call you Mary,” Rapelye said.

She still enjoys being involved in both of her lifelong passions. So whether it's entertaining a sold-out crowd in the theatre or a small gathering of kids on her farm, Rapelye's passion keeps her striving to give a wonderful performance.