Green Story

One of the Seacoast’s premier restaurants and wedding event destinations, Clay Hill Farm is no stranger to being a steward of the earth. They’ve been composting and recycling for years and were the first restaurant in the country to be certified by the World Wildlife Federation as a natural wildlife habitat and have since been deemed an Environmental Leader in the state of Maine. To get such a title, there is no use of any pesticides or herbicides on their lawn plantings, they only garden in a holistic manner taking all inhabitants into consideration, they protect all of the wildlife that frequents the property, and only use natural cleaning products. The property accommodates at least 150 birdhouses that all have a story. “ A lot of the birdhouses have been left in memory of patrons that loved coming here with family and significant others” said owner Jennifer McShera while taking a walk through there nature path.

Clay Hill is most recently known for their annual Green Wedding Giveaway®, a contest that encourages couples to celebrate their unique shade of green as they explore the parallel between a commitment to each other and a commitment to the earth. This year’s Giveaway is valued at over $50,000 and includes a complete green wedding for up to 100 guests and a Caribbean honeymoon package. Clay Hill also sponsors a yearly Earth Day Event; Clay Hill Unplugged, which features (Remove exclusively) local music, food, and resources. In 2009, they hosted their first Fall Eco Fest, which featured a number of local environmental companies, crafters and children’s organization for a day of green family fun. There was a great turn out of friends and family that came to spend the day learning and celebrating local talent and resources. Clay Hill Farm also hosts community children’s events, with summer fairy-house building to help children identify organic materials and learn about the environment. Community outreach and education is a core element in Clay Hill Farm’s business philosophy.