Doug and Linda Hartkopf
Located in one of the last remaining, active farming community in central Maine lays Hart-to-Hart Farm. Hart-to-Hart Farm is owned and operated by Doug and Linda Hartkopf along with their three energetic children Olin, Dylan & Myrilla.

In 1990, Doug and Linda purchased Hart-to-Hart Farm after 5 years of renting and managing dairy farms in Maine. Neither Doug nor Linda grew up on a family farm; they’re a rare breed, entering the dairy business as first generation farmers. Even their families couldn’t understand their desire. “Farming is a lifestyle choice that we made because of our own deep connection to the land, environment and animals. Farming is like riding a roller coaster, filled with peaks and valleys, but it is the simplest rewards we cherish. There is nothing quite like sitting down for dinner and serving a meal where 95% of the food was raised by our own hands. Farming feeds our souls.”

In the spring of 1997, Doug and Linda transition their 284 acre farm to organic and began shipping milk through Organic Valley, a farmer owned cooperative. Pioneers in their trade, Doug and Linda were one of a handful of dairies to plow new territory in the state of Maine by becoming an organic dairy. Today, there are over 64 organic dairy farms in Maine with three Organic Valley processing plants for farmers to ship their milk through.

At Hart-to-Hart Farm you will find a mixed herd of registered Holsteins and Jerseys living on the farm. On average they milk 60 animals year round. Including heifers and calves, the total number of animals’ housed is 140 head. In the summer months the animals graze rotationally on mixed grasses, it’s like eating a salad bowl of healthy mixed greens. As winter draws near, the animals are moved inside to their freestall barn.

During the summer months, children flock to the farm to attend Hart-to-Hart Farm Day Camp. Campers have the opportunity to learn “hands on” about life on a working, organic dairy farm. Their days are filled with barn chores, working with livestock, gardening and exploring the fields and woods at Hart-to-Hart. Inquisitive campers unearth answers to their questions about agriculture and the environment. For many, the experience they have at camp remains one of their fondest childhood memories.

Doug and Linda focus on promoting a healthy environment for their family and animals. They are very conscious of every decision they make and the impact it can have on the surrounding ecosystem. “It all starts with the soil…increase the health and biodiversity of the soil, and in turn produce nutrient rich forage and happy, healthy cows”.