STAFF REPORT

Families can get an up close look at modern farming by visiting one of more than 100 farms around the state taking part in Open Farm Day on Sunday.

Farms in all 16 Maine counties will open their doors to public, generally from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some farms will extend those hours for special events, such as milking.

Farmers will be on hand to explain what they do and provide demonstrations.

Open Farm Day also will be rich with farm-raised products, animals and unique experiences, organizers said.

Visitors might explore barns and fields, milk cows or goats, pick their own produce, enjoy a hayride or pet the animals. There also will be plenty of nature trails to explore and beautiful scenery. Some farmers are even throwing in refreshments and live music.

This is the 19th year Open Farm Days has been held. This year's sponsors include the Maine Department of Agriculture, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Farm Service Agency and Maine's Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

A complete list of participating farms and directions are available by county online by clicking on the "Open Farm Day" icon near the bottom of the Maine Department of Agriculture's Web site, www.getrealmaine.com.

Central Maine farms taking part in the event include:

Kennebec County

* Albion: Hart-to-Hart Farm, Hussey Road, organic dairy farm

* Augusta: Spinnakees' Farm, 1180 Tasker Road, fiber and livestock

* Belgrade: Winterbery Farm, 538 Augusta Road, farmstand and homestead

* Clinton: Caverly Farms, 1430 River Road, dairy and beef farm

* Monmouth: Phoenix Farm, 191 South Monmouth Road, alpaca farm

* Mount Vernon: FireSide Ridge Alpaca Farm, 17 South Taylor Road, alpaca farm

* Sidney: Misty Acres Alpaca Farm, 3071 West River Road, alpaca farm

* Vassalboro: Fieldstone Gardens, 55 Quaker Lane, perennial plant nursery and tree farm

* West Gardiner: Long Meadow Farm, 29 Long Meadow Drive, various organic products, chickens, sheep and goats

* Winslow: Friendly Acres Farm, 353 Abbott Road, alpaca farm

Knox County

* Washington: Home Grown, 482 Waldoboro Road, various natural products

Lincoln County

* Dresden: Dragonfly Cove Farm, 5 McCobb Road, diverse homestead farm; Fieldview Farm, 151 Popp Road, daylilies, vegetables seedlings and other plants

* Jefferson: County Fair Farm, Route 32, apple orchard, farm stand, vegetables

Sagadahoc County

* Richmond: Farm in the Meadow, 140 Brown Road, alpaca farm

Waldo County

* Thorndike: Lakeside Alpaca Farm, 276 Files Hill Road, alpaca breeding

* Unity: Ellie's Daylily and Perennial Gardens, 277 Bangor Road, daylily farm; Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm, 141 Crosby Brook Road, alpaca farm

Franklin County

* East Wilton: Whitehill Farm, 357 McCrillis Corner Road, various organic products

* New Vineyard: Shady Lane Farm, 108 Brahmer Road, dairy farm.