In Cherries We Trust

How a self-taught farmer created a blossoming agritourism destination in Midcoast Maine

words and photography by
kerry payne stailey

I didn’t set out to become a cherry farmer.

Like many good stories, mine unfolded gradually—rooted in curiosity and shaped by a deep longing to create something beautiful, meaningful, and enduring. It began with a lakeside estate in Midcoast Maine that felt like a time capsule waiting to be opened.

When I first came upon the property that would become Blenheim Park Maine, I was captivated not only by its potential, but also by its past. The grounds, established in 1924, carried the spirit of another time. I could almost hear the rustle of silk dresses and the clink of cocktail glasses from the Jazz Age echoing through the trees. There was something cinematic—almost poetic—about breathing new life into a place with such history … and doing it with cherries, no less.

At the time, I had no formal agricultural training. What I did have was a camera, a storytelling instinct, and a background in business building, branding, and experiential design. I approached the land the way I might frame a photograph or produce an immersive event—with reverence for light, texture, and emotional connection.

I began reading everything I could about growing sour cherries in cold climates, asking questions of anyone who would entertain them, and experimenting—sometimes with success, other times with spectacular failure.

It turns out, cherries are divas. Especially in Maine. They’re sensitive to frost, prone to fungal disease, and require a precise mix of timing, pruning, and discipline. Add in a firm commitment to organic practices, and there have been many moments I’ve questioned my sanity. But they’re also magic. Each spring, the orchard erupts in white and pink blossoms—delicate and fleeting—like a dream you want to hold onto just a little longer.

That’s when the idea took root: what if others could share in this beauty? Not another pick-your-own operation, but a true sensory experience—rooted in the rhythm of the land. A place where people could slow down, connect to nature, and celebrate life’s ephemeral joys. An endeavor that honors the history of the place we now call home.

So, I did what any self-respecting woman in a dry town with a love for Art Deco and a sense of humor would do: I leaned into the 1920s. I called on the property’s heritage and imagined a world where cherry blossoms met speakeasies, where vintage jazz played over the lake, and where guests arrived not just to observe—but to feel immersed, body and soul, in the story of this land.

Blenheim Park Maine was born.

When my husband, Justin, and I bought the property in 2017, we saw more than just a home—we saw a canvas. In 2018, we planted our first sour cherry orchard. With 200 trees under crop, we immediately became Maine’s largest cherry producers. There was no roadmap—just a sense that this fruit, so underrepresented in our region, had something meaningful to offer.

In 2021, we added something even more rare: an ornamental cherry blossom orchard with 120 trees. Inspired by Japan’s centuries-old tradition of hanami, or flower viewing, we planted sakura not to bear fruit, but to create a spectacle. Each spring, clouds of pink and white blossoms invite people to pause, gather, and celebrate the fleeting beauty of life.

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to build more than a farm. I wanted to create a place where food, flowers, history, and hospitality came together in ways that were both grounded and transformative. Drawing on my background in branding, I designed an experience-based business that now includes seasonal events, destination workshops, and handcrafted goods grown and made right here on the farm.

Guests swoon at seeing Blenheim Park in full bloom.

“We planted sakura not to bear fruit, but to create a spectacle.”

Our signature event, the Hanami Picnic, has become one of the most anticipated days of our season. Guests from all over New England are welcomed into the blooming orchard with parasols, vintage jazz, and a lakeside garden setting that feels lifted from another era. It’s a joyful celebration of spring, tradition, and Maine’s quiet magic and the number of attendees has grown each year, alongside our trees.  

We also host The Prohibition Tipple, a Prohibition-inspired lawn party that pairs estate-grown cherries and botanicals with 1920s elegance and mischief. Costumed guests sip handcrafted cordials by the lake, participate in a pie contest (my-oh-my, we love pie!). They enjoy vintage cars and learn Jazz-Age dance steps while immersed in the era’s rich history, in a town that has been dry since prohibition.  A Dada-inspired, homemade mask parade adds whimsy and absurdity in the best possible way. 

Each Christmas, we host Wintertide, a European-inspired holiday market featuring local makers with tasting samples and (actual) chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

One of the most meaningful evolutions of Blenheim Park has been our photography workshop program, which has drawn some of the world’s most acclaimed artists—Greg Gorman, Maggie Steber, Cig Harvey, Sarah Leen, George Nobechi—to lead intimate, creative experiences here. Set beside the lake, amongst the blossoms and beneath the wide Maine sky, these workshops offer not just instruction, but renewal.

The result? An extraordinary economic ripple effect. Since launching our events and workshops, Blenheim Park has contributed close to $1 million to the local economy—through lodging, dining, catering, shopping, and the hiring of local vendors and staff. What began as a personal experiment in creative farming has become a powerful engine for rural economic development.

And while I may be the face of Blenheim Park, I certainly haven’t done this alone. My husband, Justin—who has his own thriving career outside the farm—is the behind-the-scenes hero of every one of my endeavors. When I dream up an idea that’s a little out there (and they often are), he’s the one who helps me bring it to life. Whether it’s building infrastructure, solving problems, or designing clever ways to elevate our events, Justin is the one who steadies my keel and keeps the dream moving forward. I often call him my MacGyver—and there’s no better name for him.

And we’ve been fortunate to build a small but mighty team whose attention to detail, eye for beauty, and commitment to excellence and hospitality have helped shape every product and guest experience we offer. I’m grateful for each and every one of them.

“I believe deeply in sharing what I’ve learned. If I can go from self-taught grower to destination host, then so can others.”

Guests swoon at seeing Blenheim Park in full bloom.

Our growing line of value-added products—from cherry shrub, cocktail bitters, and infusion kits to preserves and cherry-blossom bath and body goods—has extended the Blenheim Park experience beyond the orchard. Crafted in small batches from estate-grown cherries and botanicals, every item tells a story—from bloom to bottle—and reinforces our belief that farming is as much about beauty and connection as it is about production. This year, we’re proud to have our products available at the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens gift store, as well as select midcoast retailers and through our website and Etsy.

I’ve also built a strong network, worked with university researchers and Maine tourism advocates, and leaned on the invaluable support of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. With their guidance, we’re implementing regenerative practices that will sustain this land for generations to come—improving soil health, cover cropping, composting, and disciplined organic spray programs are now part of our rhythm. As is letting go of perfection and embracing the magic of what’s possible. 

What keeps me going are the moments: the artist who rediscovers her creative voice beneath the blossoms. The guest who tells me our event was the most peaceful day they’ve had in years. The couple who gets engaged on a picnic blanket by the lake. The local business owner who sees a boost in bookings every time we host a workshop.

Blenheim Park is, above all, a place of convergence—where agriculture, tourism, artistry, and storytelling meet. Where a self-taught cherry farmer can create not just produce, but joy.

Looking ahead, I’m focused on helping others do the same. Drawing on two decades of business consulting experience, I’ve launched a 12-month workshop series designed to help agricultural entrepreneurs build more profitable, experience-based businesses. I believe deeply in sharing what I’ve learned. Because if I can go from self-taught grower to destination host—turning a dream (and a lot of compost) into something both emotionally and economically meaningful—then so can others. In these uncertain economic times, it’s imperative to support other Maine producers.  

Blenheim Park Maine continues to evolve, but our mission remains the same: to cultivate wonder, preserve heritage, and celebrate the fleeting sweetness of life.

Because that’s the thing about cherry blossoms. They remind us nothing lasts forever—but some moments are worth making unforgettable.

Here, on a century-old estate in midcoast Maine—some 9,766 miles from my birthplace in Australia—I’ve found home, and a calling. One rooted in grit and guided by grace. Is there anything more Maine than that? 

Visit the Farm Store Apothicaire, weekends, July through August and the month of December. For more information visit mainecherries.com.