Directories

Service Category

Agriculture

Business Description

Highland Farm is a garden center and farm market that provides customers with a wide variety of annuals, perennials, and shrubs throughout the growing season. From June to October, they offer fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers throughout Maine. They supply every gardening need, from the pots to plant, to the book that explains the best way to make the plant grow, to the mulch, loam and compost for the finishing touch. They specialize in growing their own annuals. They now have ten growing greenhouses with the finest crop of geraniums around. While annuals continue to be a focus of their operation, they have expanded their selection of perennials and woody plants in recent years to offer a wide choice of shrubs and trees. They dedicate themselves to helping customers find exactly what they want and need to create the outdoor living environment they desire. They also offer professional advice to help with any questions or concerns.

Family Business History

Joe and Christine Viscone are proud to manage the family business started by Joe’s grandfather, Gene, back in 1949, and hope that someday their sons will work alongside them just as they work alongside Joe’s mother, Linda. Since taking over ownership of Highland Farm from Linda in 2008, Joe and Christine have made many positive changes while maintaining a focus on family values and customer service that haven’t wavered across three generations. One major change was the introduction of biological pest controls in their greenhouse seven years ago. Christine admits it wasn’t exactly intentional—the couple’s licenses to apply commercial pesticides lapsed due to some credits that were not transferrable. They had, fortunately, noticed that instructors in their classes had been talking more and more about the use of biologics—“good bugs eating bad bugs”—and, with few other options, decided to give it a try. They noticed frogs, birds and bees coming back to the property that first year and never looked back. Christine was especially grateful not to have harmful chemicals around when she became pregnant with “the fourth generation of our business.” Their efforts are drawing the attention of groups like The Portland Pollinator Partnership, Green + Healthy Maine Homes Magazine and others, not to mention their customers. In 2011, a commercial kitchen was added so bread and pastries offered at the farm stand could be made on site. Over the years the food selection has expanded to include soups, sandwiches and prepared meals to go. As their product offerings, both at the farm stand and greenhouse, have been enhanced, the Viscones have added new staff, now employing 25 people, 8 of whom are full-time. Sales increased by 25% between 2008 and 2015. Despite literally growing up in the greenhouse—Christine started working there at age 14, where she met Joe—the couple say they have learned more about running a business than they could have imagined in the years since they took over management of the company. They have worked to put management systems and policies in place to run operations more professionally without losing sight of the family aspect that they love. They hope someday their boys will want to join the family business and continue to build on three generations of success.