Interview: Ben Nelson from Calkins Farm

Interview: Ben Nelson from Calkins Farm

From Souder Station Farm Podcast by Souder Station Farm

July 25, 2025 · 1h 20m · Episode 14

About this episode

The episode features an interview with Ben Nelson from Calkins Farm, discussing the farm's history and the evolution of agriculture.

We're sitting down and chatting with my friend Ben Nelson of Calkins Farm in Hampden Maine. Calkins farm has been in Hampden Maine for over 100 years. Ben is the fourth generation of farmers continuing in his family's footsteps and we sit down to talk about the farm, changes over time, agriculture, and life. You can reach Ben at Calkins Farm at 207-862-3246. Timestamps of our Topics: 00:00 Welcome to Calkins Farm 01:57 John Calkins, Ben's uncle, was born, raised, and died on the same farm his whole life 02:44 Trolley Lines down Main street. Ben's Grandfather driving his teachers to school when he was 13 05:42 Growing crops and growing for yourself first 10:45 Crops other than veggies? Livestock and the laying hens of the 70's 11:45 Egg Vending machine 13:45 Apples and the Orchard 16:11 The grocery store has twisted our perception of production and quality 22:53 Moving forward with greenhouses, seedlings, and flowers 25:25 How did Ben Nelson get started farming 30:00 Haying and loss of farmland 32:59 Future Plans 34:48 Covid and the changing markets 40:50 Tom Roberts of Snakeroot Organic Farm. "Pace of Life" a short film by Scott Julien. Pace of Life on Vimeo 41:28 Farm Life 43:55…

People in this episode

Guest: Ben Nelson

Topics covered

  • Calkins Farm
  • agriculture
  • family farming
  • changes over time
  • life in farming

Keywords

  • Hampden Maine
  • fourth generation
  • farming legacy

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Pace of Life

Places: Hampden, Maine, ME

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