Vegan, Animal Friendly in Maine (to live in, restaurants, prices)

[doghead]

Thanks Submariner.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by doghead

Thanks Submariner.

One of the best things about farming in Maine, is that when you go to any Farmer's Market, you see the name of the farm and what town it is in. If you talk to the vendor you can often arrange for a farm tour.

If a farm says they are Certified Organic, just ask to see the certification. During a farm tour ask about the process, and how often they are inspected.

If you follow the state Ag department website you will see once every year they advertise Open Farm tours. Most farms participate in this. So you have the option to go and visit any farms that you wish to. Talk to the farmer, see how they grow food. Pet the livestock. When I was breeding pigs, I would scratch their ears and rub their bellies every day. We have hosted a lot of college students who would come out here and just loved petting our pigs and goats.

When you see what humane farming looks like, you will have a completely different idea of how farming should be.

CSAs are also a big thing in Maine. With a CSA you can buy a 'farm share' in the Spring, and at that time you can specify what crops you would like to be planted. Most CSAs are open to the idea of planting whatever crops you would like to eat. Then you will be invited to go to that farm once a week. Some CSAs are setup where you can volunteer a few hours each week to earn your 'farm share'. But other customers prefer to pay a set amount. However you wish to do it, gives you a closer appreciation to how farming is done in Maine.

I totally understand your apprehension about 'factory farming'. I think that for most city folks, if you watch any of the documentaries about 'factory farming' folks get a very negative mental image of what is done, but it is a disservice when coming to Maine, to assume that 'factory farming' would be the norm here.

[doghead]

Thanks Submariner. In no way was I implying that Maine used factory farming. I was replying to another poster about being lumped in with meat eaters as to using animals. That is pretty amazing about the farmers markets. Still, I am against using animals for food or anything else--have not eaten meat in 30 years, regardless of whether factory farmed or not. I don't think any animal wants to give up its life to be food. But I am sure Mainers buy factory farmed meat at supermarkets, no?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by doghead

... I am sure Mainers buy factory farmed meat at supermarkets, no?

I guess you may be correct. I rarely source food from supermarkets.

[miu]

I would think that what would be hardest for a vegan living in a rural area, would be seeing the roadkill on the sides of the road almost every morning.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by miu

I would think that what would be hardest for a vegan living in a rural area, would be seeing the roadkill on the sides of the road almost every morning.

Very few people actually eat the roadkill.

But if it is a deer, moose or bear the Game Wardens keep a list of families that they will distribute the meat to.

[miu]

Originally Posted by Submariner

Very few people actually eat the roadkill.

But if it is a deer, moose or bear the Game Wardens keep a list of families that they will distribute the meat to.

No. I don't mean eating the roadkill, but just seeing the dead smashed bodies on the sides of the road. Raccoons, possums, squirrels, porcupines... and their guts hanging out. I would think that it would really bother her.

[mlulu23]

Originally Posted by doghead View Post
... I am sure Mainers buy factory farmed meat at supermarkets, no?

Some do, and some don't.

The shopping, and eating habits of any state cannot be generalized. People are much too varied in their habits to do that anywhere.

[Jellybean50]

Originally Posted by doghead

I'm not talking about harassment. I wouldn't expect that at all. I really wanted to hear from people who are vegetarian. I was in Maine recently and really wondered with so many lobster restaurants how difficult it would be to live in Maine. Plus, with the shooter, it was mentioned in news accounts how popular hunting is in Maine. I was wondering how people who are sensitive to animal slaughter find living in Maine. It's a beautiful state and people are nice.

I'm a Pescetarian, and i'm sensitive to animal slaughter. I love living here... to each their own. I know many of my beliefs are different than those of the majority in the county i live in.

I try not to let things bother me that i cannot control, ie. hunting. I knew it was a pro-hunting state when i moved here.

I live in a pretty rural part of Maine, and we still have a great natural market that has fresh fruits and vegetables, local meats if that's what someone wants, and many other healthy options. Always lots of local eggs and dairy if you eat them. As someone said, you will find many more vegetarians in Portland, but you'll find plenty of healthy food around if you look for it. Good luck.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by miu

No. I don't mean eating the roadkill, but just seeing the dead smashed bodies on the sides of the road. Raccoons, possums, squirrels, porcupines... and their guts hanging out. I would think that it would really bother her.

Name a rural area where there is no roadkill.