The Maine Conversation

Emily sits for an extensive and deep conversation with Kelly, Anil and Keiran Roopchand of Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, a goat dairy and creamery in Somerville, Maine. Imagine your feet planted on verdant rolling pastures while learning why a small family has nurtured the preservation of an extraordinary piece of rural Maine farm history. Contemplate how they honor two hundred years and six generations of another family whose legacy is embedded deep in this soil. Discover the Roopchand’s dreams first taking shape on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and how its vibrant culture informs the progression of their distinguished herd of Alpine and Nubian dairy goats today. Cherish this family’s generosity of spirit and witness its reflection in their love for each other, the goats, the farm and connecting community to the land. Links Pumpkin Vine Family Farm’s website ~ learn about the superior goat herd, the creamery, their Sunday farmers market, goat hikes, events & the Roopchand Family: https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/ [https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/] Discover: The 200+ year history of the farm and the Crooker-Kennedy-Hewett Family: https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/history/ [https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/history/] Discover: Kelly Payson-Roopchand’s book Birth, Death and a Tractor: https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/book/ [https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/book/] Watch: Goat Hikes on the Farm with Keiran & Sarita Roopchand (3 min.): https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/goat-hikes/ [https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/goat-hikes/] *** TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers: https://www.oshimabrothers.com/ [https://www.oshimabrothers.com/] Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails: https://www.themaineconversation.com/ [https://www.themaineconversation.com/] Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode: https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/]

Emily sits with Elaine Mack, artisanal baker and owner of Just Crackers based in Belfast, Maine. Indulge in an exuberance of recollection from this cellist, author and teacher as she shares the fascinating journey that led her to coastal Maine. Endearing anecdotes of the early years embarking on a professional cello career, palatable discoveries made across the globe teaching English and life here in the Pine Tree State, which ultimately informed a true calling ~ the purveyance of contemplative, hand-made creations of pure cracker bliss.   Links Elaine’s sells her artisan crackers and biscuits Just Crackers at the United Farmers Market of Maine: https://www.belfastmarket.com/ [https://www.belfastmarket.com/]     Elaine uses heirloom grains from Maine Grains to make her hand-milled crackers and treats: https://mainegrains.com/ [https://mainegrains.com/]     Explore: Mentioned in the episode, The Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine is a special event much looked forward to every year: https://www.mofga.org/the-fair/ [https://www.mofga.org/the-fair/]     Explore: While not in print currently, this archival review from 2016 offers a rich description of Elaine’s first book Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia: https://www.artsjournal.com/sandow/2016/02/black-history-week-2-black-classical-musicians-in-philadelphia.html [https://www.artsjournal.com/sandow/2016/02/black-history-week-2-black-classical-musicians-in-philadelphia.html]     Watch and Listen: The original 1946 film Instruments of the Orchestra, for which Benjamin Britten commissioned Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, a record that influenced Elaine’s childhood and career as a professional cellist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkwgihr1hMM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkwgihr1hMM]   ***   TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers: https://www.oshimabrothers.com/ [https://www.oshimabrothers.com/]     Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails: https://www.themaineconversation.com/ [https://www.themaineconversation.com/]     Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode: https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/]

Emily sits with Noah Kleiner, rock and ice climber, multi-pitch instructor and owner of Equinox Guiding Service based in Camden, Maine. Come to know the sport of climbing and the magnificence of Maine’s unique geological features from the point of view of a person whose life, being fully immersed in it, has been transformed by it. Discover how the physical sport of ascending and descending crags ~ and teaching this to others ~ facilitates benevolence, trust and knowledge of self.   Links Equinox Guiding Service website: https://equinoxguidingservice.com/ [https://equinoxguidingservice.com/]     Equinox Guiding Service on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equinoxguidingservice/ [https://www.instagram.com/equinoxguidingservice/]     Equinox Guiding Service YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@equinoxclimbing/featured [https://www.youtube.com/@equinoxclimbing/featured]     Watch: In 2019 Noah teaches a first-time rock climber (5 min.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYA9wdwUiIc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYA9wdwUiIc]     Explore: Maine’s rock and ice climbing crags and routes on Mountain Project: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105948977/maine [https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105948977/maine]     Read: An in-depth survey “Bedrock Geologic History of Maine” (long length): https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/explore/bedrock/facts/geol-hist.htm#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20the%20geologic%20history,bedrock%20that%20we%20observe%20today [https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/explore/bedrock/facts/geol-hist.htm#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20the%20geologic%20history,bedrock%20that%20we%20observe%20today]   ***   TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers: https://www.oshimabrothers.com/ [https://www.oshimabrothers.com/]     Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails: https://www.themaineconversation.com/ [https://www.themaineconversation.com/]     Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode: https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/]

Emily sits with Jessica Shepard, wood-fired oven baker, artisan chef and owner of The Uproot Pie Company based in Thomaston, Maine. While sharing her endearing recollections and heartfelt vision, this passionate 6th generation Mainer’s ‘raison d’être’ is revealed. Simply mix together equal parts of: a genuine love for people and communal connection in beautiful settings, outstanding pizza-making & baking techniques, dedication to sustainable farm fresh Maine ingredients and the comfort of a wood-fired oven. The end result? A rustic gastronomic experience that enraptures the senses while expanding the heart and mind.   Links The Uproot Pie Company’s website: https://www.theuprootpieco.com/ [https://www.theuprootpieco.com/]   Watch: A beautiful behind-the-scenes video short of The Uproot in action at an al fresco coastal Maine gathering (2 min.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62hGlMUtbY&t=43s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62hGlMUtbY&t=43s]   Read: An archival article from 2012 featuring The Uproot’s beginnings, with wonderful details about the design & construction of the first wood-fired mobile oven (medium length): https://www.mofga.org/stories/organic-business/uproot-pie-company/ [https://www.mofga.org/stories/organic-business/uproot-pie-company/]   ***   TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers: https://www.oshimabrothers.com/ [https://www.oshimabrothers.com/]   Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails: https://www.themaineconversation.com/ [https://www.themaineconversation.com/]   Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode: https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/]

Emily returns to Crow Point in Walpole for a visit with Barnaby Porter, woodworker and essay writer. They look back at a point in time that spanned six years, when Barnaby cleared 1.5 acres of thickly wooded white pine alongside the Damariscotta River and built the family home. Discover all that unfolded as trees were cut down, logs were hewn, cement was poured, and shingles were nailed. It all started with six stakes in the ground, sacred points that evolved into not only a house, but as Barnaby puts it, “a place that sings”.   Links Find: a pre-owned copy of the book “Twelve Miles From the Rest of the World” by Barnaby Porter and Al Trescot: https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Miles-Rest-World-Damariscotta/dp/0976732106 [https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Miles-Rest-World-Damariscotta/dp/0976732106]   Read: a collection of Barnaby’s essays is featured in Barnaby’s Blog on the website of Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust: https://www.coastalrivers.org/category/barnabys-blog/ [https://www.coastalrivers.org/category/barnabys-blog/]   ***   TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers: https://www.oshimabrothers.com/ [https://www.oshimabrothers.com/]   Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails: https://www.themaineconversation.com/ [https://www.themaineconversation.com/]   Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode: https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/]