Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

What’s your favorite Maine bean? Is it the bold and hearty Jacob’s Cattle Bean? The creamy Yellow Eye? The rich, rustic Marfax? In this one-of-a-kind tasting experience—like a wine tasting, but for beans—you’ll sample a variety of regional heritage beans and discover what sets each one apart. Along the way, you’ll learn where to find them, how to cook them, and why supporting local farmers matters. We’ll also be joined by our friends at Fairwinds Farm, who will share insights into bean farming in Maine and introduce you to the many beautiful and delicious heirloom varieties they grow. As we taste, we’ll explore the history and culture of beanhole suppers—a Maine tradition rooted in Indigenous practices and carried forward by lumber camps, church kitchens, and generations of "upta camp" cooks. And of course, no bean event would be complete without a hearty sample of Maine Tasting Center’s own homemade beanhole-style beans. Come hungry, come curious—and be ready to find your new favorite bean.