Warren — At its July 11 meeting, the Warren Planning Board approved a multifaceted farm on Atlantic Highway as well a two-car expansion of a transportation service on Medomak Valley Court.
Code Enforcement Officer Melody Sainio said July 12 the board approved Michelle Bennett’s proposal for Healing Tree Farms at 672 Atlantic Highway, the former site of the Evergreen Ridge Alpaca Farm.
In a letter accompanying her application, Bennett said she intends to operate a USDA-certified organic farm and general store, with food production on the farm including growing produce, herbs and livestock.
She also plans to sell locally sourced and lab-tested hemp-derived CBD products.
Bennett is in the process of being licensed as a caregiver, and plans to serve medical marijuana patients in a separate office not in view of the public and equipped with video surveillance and alarms.
“All of our products will be third-party lab-tested from a Maine-licensed lab,” she said. “We firmly believe in transparency, healthy, clean plant medicine, and giving back to our local community.”
Bennett is also in the process of applying for a Food Establishment License from the Department of Agriculture for a manufacturing kitchen which will make the organic food products and CBD dog treats, which are currently sold in eight stores in other states.
The kitchen will be in the smaller barn on the property.
In addition, Bennett is seeking a Tier 2 Medical Marijuana cultivation license for a cultivation area to be located in a separately partitioned area of land. The harvested material would be for medical dispensaries, caregivers and licensed extractors.
After a site walk prior to the meeting, the board also approved Corinna Whitehill’s application to expand her transportation business, Corie’s Ride Inc. at 87 Medomak Valley Court, by two vehicles, for a total of 11 vehicles.
Courier Publications reporter Beth A. Birmingham can be reached at 594-4401 ext. 125 or via email at bbirmingham@villagesoup.com.