BTLT In the News: “Land trust is building larger farmers market on Brunswick farm”
Maine Biz | Laurie Schreiber
Construction is underway on a 25-acre former dairy farm in Brunswick to develop a farmers market that’s part of a larger project to create a regional conservation and community hub.
The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust acquired Dionne Farm at 262 Pleasant Hill Road in 2025, after raising $2 million from more than 75 local donors.
“For years, we’ve envisioned Dionne Farm as a place where neighbors gather, local farmers are supported, children learn about the natural world and everyone feels welcome,” said Kristi Hatrick, the trust’s executive director. “ We are also being very intentional about how we develop the property — preserving the rural character of the farm while making the improvements needed to keep the market safe, resilient and thriving.”
Construction, which started this month, includes a multi-season pavilion to make the site a year-round destination, as well as improved parking and site circulation, infrastructure and public amenities.
The $2.4 million project is financed by business supporters, individual donors, grants and the trust’s line of credit with a private individual.
The project team includes OPAL Architecture, Wright-Ryan Construction, Crooker Construction, Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture and Sebago Technics.
Long-time farmers market
Dionne Farm historically included the 25 acres plus another 311 acres that’s now known as Crystal Spring Farm, across the road at 277 Pleasant Hill Road.
The trust has been acquiring both parcels in stages since the mid-1990s.
In 1999, the trust established a farmers market on the Crystal Spring Farm property, which also has a community garden, walking trails and a working farm that the trust leases to a local, long-time farmer.
The market was established to support local agriculture and currently consists of two acres, with an open, uneven grass field with 35 vendor booths and a dirt, gravel and grass parking area for just over 100 cars. This year’s market has 43 vendors, with some alternating through the booths.
Space limits
The market outgrew that site and the trust wanted to expand market opportunities and rationalize the layout.
“We’ve outgrown the parking lot, the traffic flow is strained, vendors and shoppers have met weekly challenges during the recent extended spring mud seasons and the energy of our market has exceeded the limits of its current space,” Lydia Coburn, the trust’s communications manager, told Mainebiz.
Currently, the market serves up to 1,500 people each Saturday from May through October and generates $1.7 million each year for farmers, food producers, makers and other local businesses.
Bigger and weather-resilient
The design will expand market capacity. A new weather-resilient parking area plan is for 140 spaces on an area that’s one-third paved and two-thirds turf, with better organization and flow designed to keep vehicles off Pleasant Hill Road, where increased traffic and roadside parking can create dangerous conditions.
The green will accommodate an additional 10 vendor booths, with room for expansion. The larger green will better accommodate accessibility and mobility needs and allow more space for long lines and flow. Installation of year-round infrastructure will support the trust’s plans for Dionne Farm beyond the market.
The site was designed to retain its rural character, including intentional native plantings, while being safer, more accessible and better equipped to withstand changing weather conditions. The improvements were informed by community input.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall. The move to Dionne Farm is planned for the 2027 season.
Beyond market construction, the long-term vision for Dionne Farm includes a regional hub for conservation and connection, a space for community events, workshops and hands-on education; improved trail connections and outdoor gathering spaces.
