We are now accepting 2022-2023 reservations to Runamuk’s farmstay B&B.
Why a Farmstay?
A farmstay allows travelers to experience, learn, and enjoy all that farm life has to offer. It’s a chance to spend time in nature, reconnecting with the world around you. Guests immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of a farm, a therapeutic and healing environment that will soothe and recharge your soul. Farmstays provide the opportunity to learn more about farming and food. And, food is a big deal at Runamuk Acres.
Guest Accommodations
Guests are invited to stay at the Runamuk Acres Conservation Farm, with a private room on the second floor. In a separate part of the farmhouse from the family living quarters, with it’s own stair access, the guest room is quiet and cozy. From this vantage point, guests have views of the entire farm.
Currently, our Guest Room offers 2 twin beds, with a 3rd floor mattress also available, as well as an air mattress. There’s an in-room mini-fridge, and microwave, along with a dining table. We’ve set up a TV screen, and provided an HDMI cable for guests to connect their own devices for streaming purposes. SHARED bathroom available on the first floor only. Common spaces also include the dining room, kitchen, and all outdoor spaces. Free high-speed wifi access.
*****Please be advised that stair access to the Guest Room is fairly steep.
For their own safety, this room is not recommended for guests with mobility issues.*****
The Farm
After 10-years of dogged determination, our farm-steward, Samantha Burns, finally bootstrapped her way to farm-ownership in 2018. Working with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Burns was able to purchase the 53 acre property and farmhouse as a disadvantaged [female] farmer. Since then, Runamuk has grown, slowly and steadily, as farm-steward continues to bootstrap her farm to success. Today, Runamuk produces an array of fresh vegetables and microgreens, eggs, handmade breads and baked goods from it’s licensed kitchen, and grass-fed lamb. The farm boasts four-season production, with a 40 household CSA, and an on-site farmstand.
Originally built in 1901, the Mansaard-style house that now shelters Runamuk’s farm-family is a charming mix of old and new. With traditional tin ceilings, woodwork speaking of fine craftsmanship, and wallpaper of a by-gone era, this farmhouse both comforts and inspires. The attached barn boasts a bee-themed quilt, in keeping with the farm’s bee-friendly theme, and is part of the National Barn Quilt Trail.
Behind the house and barn, guests can explore the 1-acre market gardens that grow much of the farm’s food, as well as food for it’s surrounding community. The field beyond the gardens beckons, and trails that run through Runamuk’s conservation lands beg to be scouted.
Guests can interact with the farm as much, or as little, as they like. Our sheep are super-friendly, and they love graham crackers. While the chickens are surprisingly curious creatures. We offer hands-on experiences, including farmer-shadowing, skill-sharing, workshops, volunteering, and general Q-and-A, to help others learn more about farming and food.
Rates & Details
Starting at $50/night for 2 people, and $25 for each additional person.
Shoulder-Season Special!
(*our shoulder season runs from April 3rd to June 5th, and October 23rd to December 11th)
Stay for 2 nights, get a 3rd night for free!
*Includes the following:
-Private room with bedding, towels, basic cookware.
-Access to miles of trails through our fields and woods.
-Access to visit our farm and animals.
-Access to exclusive farm-to-table breakfasts.
-Opportunity to learn more about farming and/or food.
Reservations
We offer direct booking because it reduces the extra fees for guests, allows for easier communication between ourselves and guests, and offers us the ability to set policies that work for our farm business. To book directly, please contact Farmer Sam by email (preferred) at: runamukacres@gmail.com, by phone: (207) 628-2118, or click here to be redirected to our contact-form. Once we have received your request, we will reserve the dates you seek, and send you an invoice to complete the transaction.
To book through AirBnB instead, please click here to be redirected to our listing on their website.
Direct Booking Policies
Payment is due in full upon booking – we will invoice you through PayPal to allow for secure online credit card payment.
Additional guest fee – $25 per person per night for more than 2 persons.
100% refund if reservation in cancelled within 30 days of arrival date. 50% refund if cancelled within 14 days of arrival date.
Farm Policies
For the safety and consideration of the animals living at Runamuk, guests are not permitted to bring pets to the farm.
This is a smoke-free facility, including the house and grounds.
Runamuk does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. This is a safe place, and all are welcome.
Things To Do During Your Stay
- Visit our sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, or honeybees.
- Walk the trails through our private woods.
- Snowshoe, fat bike, or cross country ski on the farm trails.
- Enjoy a campfire dinner at our stone firepit.
- Sit in the screened Bug Shack to enjoy the sounds of nature while sipping your favorite beverage.
- Bar-b-que in the backyard while the kids use our full-sized swing-set.
- Birdwatching.
- Pitch at tent at our remote campsite for a night (we’ll provide the tent!)
- Learn to bake bread with farm-steward Samantha.
- Shadow the farmer during morning chores.
- Visit the historic Wire Bridge just a few miles down the road.
- Take a day-hike on any number of mountains or AT-trails.
- Bring your bikes and try out the bike trails in Carrabassett Valley.
- Go fishing or hunting.
- Spend the day skiing at Sugarloaf, just 30 minutes away.
- Stop by the Maine Beer Shed in Kingfield for dinner and a drink. Tell them Sam sent you.
- Take in a show at the Lakewood Theater.
Farmstay Reviews
“Farmer Sam is an amazing AirBNB host. She made my visit feel like I was with loving family. I enjoyed the Farmstay very much. It was quiet and safe. I felt happy and enjoyed a comfortable 11 night stay. I highly recommend staying at Runamuck Acres for anyone that wants to enjoy the beauty of New Portland Maine and the surrounding areas.” ~Marilyn, Arkansas
“This is just as advertised-a no frills room in an old farmhouse on a sweet farm. Although I did not get to meet the host she communicated promptly and was just very nice. She had coffee waiting for me in the morning as I was heading out early. Made my day. I would definitely stay again.” ~Louise, Maine
“I was there only one night which is a shame as it was the coziest AirBnB I ever had. Met Samantha briefly, which also is a shame as she seemed like a lovely person.” ~Felix, Germany
“Great stay on a real farm. Sheep, chickens and fields of vegetables. Room was just as described. Samantha runs a farm stand and bakery from the farm house. Make sure you seek out the Wire Bridge which is close by. A National Historic Landmark, the Wire Bridge still carries traffic, since the 1860’s!” ~Brian, Viginia
“Description was accurate and I had adjusted my expectations accordingly. The room was exactly what I expected and what I needed. Host is great.” ~Albert, North Carolina
“Basic, no frills accommodations… clean private sleeping quarters as pictured. Remote peaceful location (suggest bringing food/drink as restaurants are scarce). Very nice & hardworking hostess.. support local farms!” ~Brenda, South Carolina
“This was a truly unique experience!! Highly recommended. Samantha and Deron went out of their way to accommodate my needs, were flexible, trusting and so considerate!!” ~Harjot, Nova Scotia
“The room is cute and well appointed, the view of the gardens is magnificent! The temperature is comfortable during the nights the beds are great! My boyfriend and I made a bed apart and found it charming the sheep, pigs, rooster chicken, were interesting to see we liked Murphy! And a little weakness for BIBI the shepherd dog! ❤️” ~Marie-Noelle, Montreal
