Our Fragrant Story
My Adirondack Story | Sandy Maine’s Fragrant Story
I first fell in love with a very old farm in the northern Adirondack Mountains when I was just 22. It was, at one time, the farm that supplied food to a wilderness resort The Sylvan Falls Hotel, and also nearby upriver logging camps.
The Farm was at the end of very long and bumpy five-mile ride on the Sylvan Falls Road which followed the West Branch of the St Regis River upstream from the scenic village of Parishville, NY. Utility and phone lines ended after the first two miles, and by the time I approached the dilapidated porch of what was soon to be my new home, the day’s light had begun to dim. Despite an easy summer wind, that early evening “Adirondack hush” had begun to fall. For a few moments it was so very peaceful, but then came an interruption, a magical chiming sound I will never forget. I looked up to discover the source of the sound and found that someone had humorously hung a set of metal electric beaters from the rafters which were chiming off of each other in the wind. Without electricity, what better purpose could they have had?
For better or worse, that was my first sight, smell, and sound of the farm that would free me, enslave me, exhaust me, energize, and over time, age me . Now I am in my 3rd decade of life at the farm, and the farm I believe, has waited patiently (more patiently than I) all these years to be brought back to life.
This has been a slower process than I had youthfully imagined it would be. My husband Lou and I have spent the last 3 decades renovating the farm house, building tree houses, raising gardens and children, tending animals and parents, and growing our respective businesses. There was always wood to chop, weeds to pull, and honey to extract, all manner of things to take care of and to do.
Some years were easier than others, but as is often the case, one thing led to another and now I know that the work I have done has well-prepared me for the work I am doing and the work that I plan to do until I can work no more.
The Farm at the end of Sylvan Falls Road is my passion and my focus now, and I have a clear vision of our collective purpose here. She is a painting in progress, a perfume yet to be mastered. This farm that has gone a bit wild is coming under the spell of a time and a woman who have arrived with plans to tame and shape her into something new and different, something beautiful, fragrant, and prosperous. Something not quite seen before.
In 2012 I started ADK Fragrance Farm
I plant, water, weed and grow the most lovely smelling and tasting plants that endure our short but sublime growing season. I also work with local cedar distillers and trappers to garner some of our regions most exotic and alluring scents. All of these natural gifts are gathered and prepared for inclusion in regionally inspired perfumes and complimentary products that I design and market regionally. My hope is that many will enjoy their simple mountain charm.
In the mid- late summer plants are harvested and dried, scents are extracted and stored for inclusion in our beautiful farm based product line in celebration of all things Adirondack! As founder & former owner of Sunfeather Natural Soap Company, I have enjoyed many years of creating fine soaps and body care for national distribution.
Many people have asked to visit the Adirondack Fragrance Farm. In 2019 we opened two vacation rentals on remote parts of our property and will be adding the Healing Woods Cabin in Spring 2020. For more info and reservations visit the cabin’s website at www.ADKRiversideCabin.com.
We also expanded our private label and custom work capabilities in 2019:
For more information about custom and private work please visit our Product Design, Contract Manufacturing and Private Label Work Page
I hope you will enjoy this natural extension of my work as I create a new life chapter “The Adirondack Fragrance & Flavor Farm” located in the northern corner of the Adirondack Park… a place I have called home for over 30 years!
Want to learn more checkout Sandy Maine’s Books
The Soap Book
Fire Light, Forest Garden, Gentlemen Farmer, Lemon Verbena, Oat and Wheat Bran–this is but a sampling of the thirty wonderful recipes you’ll find in this guide to making soap. History, chemistry, equipment, plants, and oils–everything you need to know to create your own all-natural, handcrafted, herbal, aromatherapy, and floral soaps.
Creating An Herbal BodyCare Business (Making a Living Naturally)
Start a profitable company making the natural products you love. Professional soapmaker Sandy Maine shares her business-building methods and inspiring philosophy to help you turn your passion into a vocation. Taking the mystery out of entrepreneurship, Maine provides clear advice on how to develop a sound business plan, identify your client base, create attractive packaging, set prices, manage an accounting system, employ staff, and much more. Get ready to take your herbal product to the marketplace.
Soothing Soaps: For Healthy Skin
Easy steps for making curative and healing soaps using household ingredients this book gives readers all the easy steps for making soaps that help to heal our bodies as they comfort our minds. Recipes include antiseptic soaps; poison ivy soaps; soaps for acne; soaps for helping to heal measles, chicken pox, and bruises; and a collection of emollient healing soaps. Sandy Maine’s Soothing Soaps.
Herbal Homekeeping: Simple Recipes for a Naturally Clean Abode
Offers a new way of cleaning with herbs, including laundry, pets, bath, and kitchen, and provides recipes for soaps, shampoos, and conditioners
