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Aldemere Farm - where the "Oreo Cookie cow" comes from

During your stay in Rockland, it is worth a quick day trip to Aldermere Farm, located in Rockport, Maine. Initially you may wonder why and how a farm is a destination. Aldermere Farm is home to the famous Belted Galloway cattle or "Belties." The Belted Galloway is a rare beef breed of cattle originating from Galloway in Scotland, adapted to living on poor grazing conditions and the windswept terrain of upland Scotland. Belted Galloways are primarily raised for their quality marbled beef, although they are sometimes milked and purchased to adorn pastures due to their striking appearance. Locally, these cows are often referred to as "Oreo cows" (after the famous cookie), "panda cows" or "police car cows." These are black cows with a giant white stripe covering the middle third of their body. These cows, known as a very hearty breed, grow a thick coat in the winter to stay warm and can forage for themselves over the rockiest of terrain. They are regarded as some of the best beef stock in the world.

Aldermere Farm is a working farm that is quaintly nestled on 136 acres in Rockport near the ocean and has been a loved landmark for generations. The herd of Belties at Aldemere Farm is world-renowned and permanently protected by conservation easements. Today, Aldemere Farm is one of the world's leading breeders of these beautiful cows. Albert H. Chatfield, Jr. originally started this herd of cattle from six cows and a single bull in 1953. Aldermere cattle have consistently been awarded recognition at the highest levels for over 30 years in fairs all across the United States. It has now become the oldest continually operated herd of Belted Galloway cattle in the United States.

When Mr. Chatfield died in 1999, he bequeathed Aldermere Farm to Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Aldermere Farm is known and recognized as a traditional New England saltwater farm, spanning across rugged fields, a rocky shoreline, and simple inspiring structures. There are even some wetlands to compliment the fields and wooded areas. While Aldermere Farm is best known for its Belted Galloway cattle, it is also a shining example of progressive, sustainable, organic, agricultural techniques. It is a leader in pioneering leading conservation land management innovations.

Here in Rockland and throughout Maine, Aldermere Farm is known for its pastoral vistas and undeveloped shoreline that are seen in few other places. Luckily, this farm will stay preserved because of the conservation easements of Mr. Chatfield and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Mr. Chatfield was determined to protect the farm from the development that was taking place throughout areas along the Maine coastline. His easements legally disallow subdivision and development on any part of the land. Aldermere Farm is an inspiring example of how a farm can effectively function while keeping conservation and community planning a top priority. Amongst the “Oreo cows,” natural shoreline landscape, and preserved history, this is a place that visitors can truly enjoy nature.