Ridge Barnes stands next to the sign for Overlook Farm. Barnes is the fifth generation of the Barnes family to run the farm. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
Ridge Barnes, a top scholar of the Wiscasset High School Class of 2015, now a junior at the University of Maine at Orono, has decided to become the fifth generation of Barnes men to farm the land his great-great-grandfather, Charles Israel Barnes, purchased during the Great Depression.
The 1850 farmhouse on a hill overlooking Gardiner Road has been home to all five generations. The hill gives the farm its name, Overlook Farm.
During a recent interview with three of the five generations, William “Bill” Barnes, Shawn Barnes, and Ridge Barnes, the family’s love for the old farm was clear, as was the goal to keep the farm in the family.
When Ridge Barnes graduated from high school, his goal was to attend college for four years and find a job on Wall Street. After a year at college and several jobs, as well as a summer back home helping his father on the farm, he decided his future was on the farm, not on Wall Street.
“Wherever I worked I gave it my all, and I enjoyed many of the people I worked with,” Ridge Barnes said, “but nothing gave me the satisfaction I get from working on the farm.” After giving it a lot of thought, he told his father of his decision in April.
Shawn said he is proud that his son wants to continue the family tradition, knowing the hard work it will involve. “Working the land is not new to Ridge. He knows it is hard work,” Shawn Barnes said.
William Barnes represents the third generation of the Barnes family to operate the family farm on Gardiner Road in Wiscasset. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
Bill Barnes, who took over the farm from his father when he was in his 20s, said, “I have every confidence that he will do the right thing. Shawn will be right there to help him. The intent was to always keep the farm in the family. That was a promise I made my dad.”
Ridge Barnes wants to make the nearly 200-acre farm a place for people to come and enjoy.
His plans for the farm include pick-your-own fruit, with an apple orchard and other fruit trees, as well as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and vegetables. He plans to have animals on the farm, including cattle, horses, and chickens; to offer tours of the farm for children and adults; to make a corn maze for Halloween; and to open a vegetable stand at the end of the driveway.
Ridge Barnes is studying economics with a focus on the agriculture business, and will graduate in May 2019. He has already started on his plans for the farm. During his summer breaks, he comes home, plants vegetables, and does haying and carpentry around the farm. He said he is testing the grounds on the farm where he can get the best harvest.
This year he planted corn, carrots, squash, and watermelon, and all are doing very well.
Charles Israel Barnes and his wife, Etta Stensen, purchased the land for about $3,500 for use as a woodlot. During the depression, they ran eight sawmills in Boothbay, Jefferson, and Wiscasset. According to Bill Barnes, his grandfather employed half the men in Boothbay and Wiscasset. In those days, it took a lot of manpower to run a sawmill.
When work was slow in the sawmill, Charles Israel Barnes would have his men pick rocks. Today there is still a rock pile on the farm.
Shawn Barnes said he planted some blueberries and used some of the flat rocks to build stairs going down into the blueberry patch, as well as a rock wall.
Charles Israel Barnes’ son, Charles Stensen Barnes, took over the farm from his father. He continued with the sawmills for a while, worked the farm, had cattle, and raised some racehorses. He married Cora Erskin. The couple had 10 children, eight boys and two girls.
A fire destroyed a large barn on the farm around 1947-1948, according to Bill Barnes. His father lost 20-25 head of cattle and at least three horses. One of his sisters, Carlene, was able to save one of the horses from the fire.
Bill Barnes remembers his father as a great fan of baseball who might have been able to make the big leagues as a pitcher. He had a train ticket to try out for a major league team but chose to stay on the farm. “He could really pitch a ball,” Bill Barnes said.
Overlook Farm will soon have new ownership. Ridge Barnes will become the fifth generation of the family to run the farm. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
When Bill Barnes took over the farm in his 20s, he worked the farm, raised racehorses, and worked outside the farm to support his family.
Two of his racehorses were quite successful, and he enjoys showing their pictures off to anyone who happens to be around. Shawn Soda and Fritz Overlook won five races each at Scarborough Downs. At one time the farm was home to 18 racehorses.
Bill Barnes turned the farm over to Shawn Barnes about 10 years ago, but continued to help with the haying and other chores. Bill Barnes recently purchased land abutting the farm and plans to make his home there. At the age of 74, he recently baled 1,400 bales of hay.
When Shawn Barnes took over the farm, he also worked the farm, opened Hunters Breakfast, just below the farm, and for six years owned and operated Mike’s Log Cabin with his father.
Shawn Barnes still lives on the farm and plans to help his son with his plans to make Overlook Farm a place for the community to visit, to learn about farm life and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of a farmer’s labor.
Ridge Barnes said he realizes he has big shoes to fill, following in the steps of four hardworking generations. “It’s in my blood and I am ready for the challenge,” he said.
