Cape Elizabeth has a proud farming heritage, whose remaining farms help retain the town’s rural character even today. Consider these facts:

• In 1875 the Scarborough/Cape Elizabeth Farmers Association was formed. They held a fair every fall for about 30 years at Nutter’s Field, Pleasant Hill, Scarborough.
• In 1880 cabbage from Cape Elizabeth sold for $10/ton and was considered the best in the state.
• In the early 1900’s peas became a major crop to supplement the already famous cabbage and more produce was being sent by ship (and later by train) to Boston.
• The first tractor in Cape Elizabeth was purchased by Stewart Jordan in 1934. Horses were still the standard hauler of plows into the 1940’s.
• Around 1940 there were between forty and fifty farms in operation in Cape Elizabeth.
• In the 1950’s iceberg lettuce became a major product. 300 to 400 acres were planted in lettuce, on the town’s approximately 20 farms. It was not unusual to ship 2,000 crates of lettuce per day to the Boston Market.
• By the 1960’s about ten farms remained in operation. There are now six working farms of various sizes.

William H. Jordan, Sr. was one of nine children raised by Roy and Ivy Jordan at the farm on Wells Road. In 1948, "Billy" started operating the farm himself and with his wife Ruth (Young), raised four children– Bill, Jr., Pam, Carol Anne and Penny. Bill, Jr. has been working the farm with his father since 1972. Penny, Carol Anne and Pam also work on the farm. If you drop by the farm you are likely to meet one of these family members working in the fields or stocking the stand’s shelves.

Bill Sr. was active in many state agriculture organizations (as well as in Cape Elizabeth town government) and became renowned for his iceberg lettuce and cabbage. At one time, Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. farmed land as far away as Gray.

In the 1970’s the family started a small pick-your-own strawberry operation that has become one of the farm’s greatest attractions.

In the 1980’s, as the wholesale vegetable business became national and even international, the Jordans started growing a greater variety of vegetables for local stores and distributors. During this time they became especially well known for their sweet corn.

In 1993 Bill, Jr. opened the farm stand on Wells Road. Although the farm has become especially well known for its strawberries and corn, people who drop by the stand are amazed to find an ever-expanding variety of vegetables and flowers.

In 2000 a larger stand was built to allow us to bring a wider variety of the freshest vegetables possible. Although we grow larger, one thing will never change – we’re committed to bringing you only the freshest possible vegetables, grown right here in Cape Elizabeth. We hope you’ll drop by to get a taste of what our farm is like.