When Erica and Heath Burkhart relocated from North Carolina to Maine during the pandemic, they hoped to build a life centered on farming, family, and community. What started as a move toward self-sufficiency has now grown into Bulrush Farm Mercantile & Serendipity Embroidery, a thriving business in the heart of Houlton.
The Burkharts first faced challenges, including limited farmland and tight living space, but their determination led them to a 75-acre property in Hodgdon. There, Heath tends to their pigs, cows, chickens, and ducks, while Erica manages the business side—connecting their farm products with a bustling embroidery and retail operation. In 2024, they purchased a downtown Houlton building and transformed it into a welcoming storefront. The mercantile now offers farm-raised meats, cheeses, sourdough bread, handmade candles, woodworking, and even skincare made from cow tallow. Their children also contribute their own creations, making it a true family effort. On the embroidery side, a recent grant helped them expand to three machines, boosting their ability to serve both large commercial orders and custom projects for local residents.
The Burkharts are celebrating their growth with an official Grand Opening on September 30, 2025, in their new location just off Market Square, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will enjoy free samples of bread, cheese, granola, and fresh produce while exploring everything the mercantile has to offer. Their story shows how determination, creativity, and community support can turn a dream into a successful business. In Aroostook County, families like the Burkharts are proving that rural living can open the door to new opportunities and lasting legacies.
Source: The County, Sept. 18, 2025