Aroostook County is Maine’s northernmost region and the largest county in the state. “The County” (as locals call it) borders two Canadian provinces. Quebec to the west and New Brunswick to the east. Geographically, Aroostook County is the largest county east of the Mississippi. For comparison: It is larger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined! The region encompasses 3.5 million acres of forested land. However, it is home to some of the most important farmland in New England!
With so much space, and rich cultural heritage to see, where should you begin? Take route one into for the “Million Dollar View” scenic by-way in Weston. Continue north to see vast stretches of land. The soil is rich and farms grow produce and grains and raise livestock. In the towns of Presque Isle and Caribou, there is a variety of agriculture to enjoy. For example, roadside stands, a farmers’ market, and the MicMac tribe’s trout farm are all within a 10-mile radius.
Littleton is home to the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, where you can see the world’s largest potato basket! What is a potato basket? It is a handwoven basket, with a wide opening and sturdy handle, traditionally used to collect the potato harvest.
Finish your “County” tour in Fort Kent where you can recreate in Maine’s picturesque St. John River Valley, enjoy Arcadian cuisine at the annual Ployes Festival in August, or dig into poutine.
Trip: Hear from some of the farmers and makers in this area
Listen to Erin of Aroostook Beef, and Joe, of Bouchard Family Farm, both farmers from the St. John River Valley, in Harvesting Maine podcast episode eight.
