ARUNDEL – If you’ve traveled Lombard Road between Sinnott Road and Log Cabin Road, you’ve probably passed the sign for Liminal Community Farm and wondered what it’s all about. The almost six-acre field is owned by Geri Fitzgerald, Kennebunkport, where she grows produce for two local food pantries and a community meal program. Fitzgerald is looking for volunteers this summer and fall to help her achieve this goal.
Before Liminal Community Farm became a reality, Fitzgerald spent five years working with Noah Wentworth at Frinklepod Farm setting up Harvest for Hunger, a volunteer program also rooted in growing produce for people in need. She credits Wentworth with teaching her everything she knows about organic farming. “I knew nothing when I started,” she says. She had been looking to start a community garden with the same purpose – providing fresh fruits and vegetables to food security organizations. When she heard that Frinklepod was looking for someone to run a volunteer program, it seemed a good fit. Now a certified Master Gardener, Fitzgerald has immersed herself in a wide range of horticultural learning over time, including permaculture and medicinal herbs. “I have a passion for the beneficial plants in our midst,” she says.
Fitzgerald is skilled and enthusiastic about working with volunteers. “Anyone is welcome to the farm for any amount of time. There is always something to do, to learn and I can direct activities to their interests,” she said. She added that at this time of year until the end of June, she is here 90% of the time but said that regular volunteering hours are when most people are there working. “Our regular hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8-11 a.m., with most people here for two hours of that stretch,” she explained.
Judy Corello of Kennebunkport, a long-time volunteer, is also enthusiastic. “Volunteering at the Liminal Community Farm is hard work but so satisfying and rewarding to know that we’re helping feed folks who are in need. It’s the ultimate win-win: I learn so much every time I volunteer there and I get to work with wonderful people towards a common goal. The experience epitomizes the meaning of community,” she said.
Malinda Scannell also of Kennebunkport, agreed: “Geri makes volunteering at Liminal Farm both enjoyable and informative. It is empowering to see how each of us can make a difference.”
When she first started actively farming the land in 2022, Fitzgerald said she planted, “two rows of vegetables and the orchard. Now she has 12 rows plus the orchard, with more rows coming, hence the need for more volunteers. Last season the farm grew and distributed 3,400 pounds of first-quality produce. Fitzgerald makes regular deliveries summer through harvest time to COS in Kennebunkport, the Biddeford Food Pantry, and the Bon Appetit Community Food Program at the Second Congregational Church in Biddeford.
For the last several years, the farm was also home to Wild Few Herb Farm, which grew and marketed medicinal herbs. Fitgerald retains an interest in these herbs – there are 32 still growing on the property. “If someone is only interested in medicinal herbs, I would love to have a community herb project here,” she said.
“There is always something to be done, there is something for any skill and energy level,” Fitgerald explained. Volunteers can, “weed, sow seeds, transplant, prune tomatoes, prep beds, fertilize, plant cover crops, harvest. We mulch with compost and shredded leaves. Even people who have difficulty walking can help. We wash 5,000 pots a year, so we need people to just sit in a chair with a bucket of water.”
Mary Giknis, Cape Porpoise, sums it up: “I’ve known Geri for 35 years plus. She is an amazing person. Whatever she does, she does at 100%. I have volunteered in the garden and have witnessed her in action. While there are volunteers pitching in some of the time, Geri is there all of the time. Her commitment is undeniable.”
People interested in volunteering can call or text Fitzgerald at 908-723-3707 or email at mizfitzmath@yahoo.com.
