BUSINESS PROFILES

North Star Orchards

Madison, Maine
(207) 696-5109
northstarorchards.com

Judy and Everett Dimock put down roots here 28 years ago, a decision that enriched their business and personal lives from day one.

The story of North Star Orchards is one success based on hard work, determination, community interaction and a belief in the economic opportunities of the region.

The Dimocks moved here from Vermont, where Everett had spent 15 years managing orchards. He knew the business and wanted his own. He and Judy started their hard-climb to success at the bottom of the ladder, but with a lot of support.

"Shortly after we moved, we started selling our apples to what was then Sampson¹s, the local grocery store," Judy says. "We quickly realized that everybody knew everybody. I remember Everett told the produce manager that we were having problems with deer eating the apple trees, so the people at Sampson¹s organized a fence-building party. People from Sampson¹s and the whole community came out to volunteer. That just shows how supportive everyone was, and continues to be."

At the core of North Star Orchards are apples, apples and more apples. The Dimocks grow 20 varieties, mostly McIntosh, on 35 acres. They market directly to six Hannaford supermarkets and operate a retail store at the farm.

"We send out 1,000 mail-order catalogs," Judy says. "We have a wholesale business, as well. In addition to apples, we produce and sell apple cider and apple jams and jellies. We also have a pick-your-own operation.

"The business is a good size for our family to run," she says. "We¹re not interested in growing so large that we don¹t have contact with the customers any more. I love running a business, particularly a family business with my grown children, Jennifer and Robert."

Everett and Judy are increasingly interested in "agri-tourism," and are focusing more on collaborating with the Kennebec Valley Tourism Council and the Maine Department of Agriculture as a way to expand retail sales.

They expanded the retail operation in 1999 using a community development loan obtained with the assistance of Perley Beane, the director of the town¹s Office of Economic and Community Development.

"It was instrumental in our ability to improve and enlarge our retail operation," Judy says.

Recently, yet another business venture has blossomed for North Star Orchards.  "Our daughter Jennifer has handled several requests to have weddings here," Judy says. "That has been a lot of fun. It¹s a romantic concept to get married on a farm, particularly an attractive, well-maintained, friendly farm with beautiful views of the western Maine mountains. It¹s very scenic and quiet. We take it for grantedŠ. the quiet. For many people that¹s one of the things that¹s attractive to the area. Even close to the village, it¹s quiet."

The Dimocks are enthusiastic about spreading the word.

"We welcome a lot of school groups in the fall," Judy says. "It¹s a lot of fun. We do adult tours as well. We feel strongly about making people aware of what agriculture in this area is all about and try to convey a positive message about its importance.

"From an economic standpoint, we are hopeful that new businesses will move into Madison Business Gateway," she says, "and we will welcome them the same way we were welcomed back in 1976."

Photo Caption: Pictured L-R: Jennifer, Rob with daughter Emma, Rob's wife Robin with their son Nathan, Everett and Judy Dimock.