When we take a long hard look at our past and we think about Levesque’s farm starting in 1990, there are 2 constants - Suzanne Levesque, the mother and wife of the Levesque family and Paul Levesque, the person of which this newsletter will be written. Paul Levesque grew up in Lewiston, Maine on a small dairy farm. The farm sold its cows when he was 12 and life moved on. Being a man of many trades he became a journeyman electrician at Pine Tree Electric, delivered chickens for Hillcrest Farm and then started delivering soda for Coke where he went from delivery driver to salesman to plant manager. This is the point where Paul made a big choice. With Coke splitting its Lewiston operation between Portland and Bangor, Paul decided that instead of taking a management job at these other plants he would follow a lifelong dream and move back to his farming roots. The man took a chance. He had two young boys, 2 teenage girls, and a wife at home and he bet on himself. He made a bet that most people in this world would never have had the guts to make, and he did it to make sure his family had the life he wanted them to have. Before he left Coke he was clearing fields with a 1950s tractor, an ax and a shovel every day after work. The man was working 20 hours a day chasing a dream. The man never stopped. He got up early to plant and pick, he stayed up late when the kids went to bed to plow and mow fields, and in the middle of the day, tired and burnt out, found time to play catch and play basketball or go to baseball games, softball games and football practices. He was a driving teacher for his daughters and a mechanic for their cars. He did everything a father and husband could do and more. He is an inspiration to his sons, a man to model their lives and their families after, and he showed his daughters what a gentleman looked like and how a man, a husband, and a father should treat his wife and children. Now that he is older, Paul still hasn't skipped a beat. Still working every day, planting, picking, weeding, cutting wood, and boiling sap he is what many men his age could only hope to be. The difference now is that instead of being dad to his two young boys and his teenage girls he is being Pa to his grandsons and granddaughters, and just like when he was younger there is always time for tractor rides, bubble blowing, tool demonstrations, four wheeler rides and reading stories. The man took a chance around 30 years ago to bet on himself, he had a dream of what he wanted for his children, wife and even his grandchildren and he gave every ounce of himself to chase that dream. To this day he still gives every bit of himself to make everything his family wants possible. The man bet on himself, because he wanted to be close to his family and that was the best possible choice. The man is an inspiration for his family, he has shown his sons what it is to be a man, husband, father and grandfather and shown his daughters what they should look for in a husband and father to their children. In our humble opinion this world would be much better off with more men like him in it. So in this month of June where we have a day to celebrate fathers we would like to make a point of thanking the most consistent part of Levesque’s farm and the Levesque family. We can never thank him enough for everything he has done for us and helped us accomplish. We know that the man has never gotten the credit that he deserves and we hope that this little note gives him a little bit of thanks. So if you see him this summer, dropping off vegetables, mowing fields, planting cover crops or picking beans, know that this man is without a doubt the backbone on which Levesque’s farm was built. So we thank you, Paul, for everything you have done for us, and we know we can never pay you back. We will try and we will never be blind to everything you have done and continue to do. Thank you!
Important Information
***Our 2022 CSA Program is currently full***
***We will be opening up for the 2022 season June 20***
Verses
“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” Ephesians 5:28 “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” I Corinthians 11:3 “Fathers, do no provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
Salmon and Potatoes
With this newsletter being about the patriarch of the family, it seems only fitting that we have his favorite meal listed. Sue has been making this meal for Paul for years and it’s easily his favorite. Peel and cut up your potatoes and boil until fork tender. Drain the potatoes and sauté in olive oil along with some salt, pepper, and garlic. Season your salmon with some oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and sear skin side down. Turn the heat off and cover with a lid and steam until cooked through.
Updates
As the year continues to roll on by (we don’t know where the year has gone), things are advancing. Our meat birds are getting nice and plump, we have added two goats and more chicks to the ever growing farm. Our tomatoes are starting to blush the slightest hue of pink, lettuce and pak choy are starting to mature, and our cucumbers are starting to come in. This month we will also be busy getting everything ready for our 25th season at the farm stand! Our yearly maintenance is well underway – cleaning the farmstand, planting flowers, fixing and replacing items that need our attention. We are eager to see everyone come the 20th .
