Foxcroft Agway celebrates Finan’s birthday and spring greenhouse opening

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — After a long, harsh winter, few things are more enjoyable than planting fresh flowers in your yard, planters or window boxes.
    So Foxcroft Agway is holding a dual celebration on May 1-4, marking the opening of their greenhouse and Finan’s first birthday.
    Who is Finan? “Our official greeter,” said owner Pam Pultz, petting the frisky pup adopted from the Androscoggin Humane Society. His official birthday is May 1 and the whole community can join the celebration.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    FINAN’S FINEST — Finan, the official Foxcroft Agway greeter, poses by some of his favorite Wholesome’s organic dog food.

    On Thursday, May 1, there will be cupcakes from Will’s Shop ‘N Save all day; poultry processing information from Featherview Farm, also all day; house plant repotting from 11 a.m.—1 p.m.; and information on kid’s camps from the Piscataquis Soil & Water Conservation District.
    Friday, May 2 features day care, boarding and training information from Fresh Air Dogs from 10 a.m. – noon; pet toenail cutting by donation from Ruff Cuts Grooming, also from 10 a.m.–noon; poultry processing information from Featherview Farm all day; and the Dover Cove Farmer’s Market from 1-3 p.m.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    EVERYTHING FOR THE KNITTER — Foxcroft Agway owner Pam Pultz shows off some of the yarn she has in stock along with knitting and crochet needs, and sewing supplies.

    On Friday, May 3, the Wreath Nook will exhibit their dried flower wreaths and painted saw blades from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Piscataquis Extension Service will feature container gardening information from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; and a “finger knitting” class for the kids from 2-4 p.m.
    The final day of the celebration will be Sunday, May 4 with primitive and rustic signs by Country Momma and hand-painted glassware from Glass Paradox, both from 10 a.m.– noon.
    Pultz said that involving others in the business community in Foxcroft Agway’s celebration is a way to say thanks for their support. “Our business has grown steadily since Guy and I bought it 11-and-a-half years ago, especially in pet food and supplies,” she said.
    They’ve added another 800 to 900 square feet of usable space in the building including a spacious, well-organized warehouse.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    GROWING NATURALLY — Foxcroft Agway has both traditional and organic fertilizers, but natural products account for 75 percent of their sales.

    Agway’s company philosophy encourages each owner to tailor the store to their own community’s needs. So in addition to the usual “seed and feed” inventory, Foxcroft Agway is the only place in town with a nice inventory of knitting and crocheting supplies including Bernat and Maine’s own Darn Good Yarn.
    Quilters can get everything needed for the top of the quilt, including fat quarters. And if your sewing machine needle breaks, Foxcroft Academy has plenty of replacements on hand.
    Do you have leftover yarn from a project? Bring it in and swap it for another style or color in the “Bring one — take one” basket.
    Need a pattern? There are free ones at Foxcroft Agway.
    Since the beginning of the yarn shop is just a few feet away from the gardening tools, Pultz jokes that Foxcroft Agway is the only store around “where you can buy a pattern for a baby’s wardrobe and a barn shovel in the same room.”
    Other popular features at Foxcroft Agway include a complete garden center with a huge assortment of traditional and organic chemicals. “About three-quarters of our sales are organic, so we stock accordingly,” said Pultz.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    DRESS UP — One of Foxcroft Agway’s fastest-growing product lines is pet food and supplies. Pictured is part of their collar collection.

    Holistic pet foods such as Blue Buffalo, Fromm, Pro Pac, Earthborn and NutriSource brands are also popular with cat and dog owners. “The brands are American-made from an all-natural formula,” said the owner.
    For vegetable and herb gardeners as well as livestock farmers, Foxcroft Agway has a well-stocked food processing section with meat grinders, seasoning, canning jars and more.
    And bird lovers will want to check out the variety of suet and seed along with hanging and pole feeders.
    Foxcroft Agway’s regular store hours are 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. –2 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. –1 p.m. on Sunday.
    Visit them at www.foxcroftagway.com and find them on Facebook.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    PLANTING SEASON — Get ready for planting with a huge selection of seeds at Foxcroft Agway.