It’s not everyday that you meet a man who has a giant catapult in his backyard. Then again, Andy Cole is not your typical farmer and business owner.

Cole, 60, is the fourth-generation owner of a farm was once the location of the Cole Farm Dairy in Dayton. Today that farm, including its classic Gambrel-roofed barn, is the location of Andy’s Agway, a popular feed and garden store located on River Road.

After graduating from Thornton Academy in 1981, Cole studied agricultural mechanics and graduated from the University of Maine in 1985, the same year that his father decided to sell his remaining dairy cows at auction and closed the dairy.

Beginning in 1929, Cole Farm Dairy delivered fresh milk to homes and businesses throughout the Biddeford-Saco area. Today, Andy Cole’s store also serves as a bit of a museum, including black and white photographs of his family and the farm, old-fashioned milk boxes and other tools that were used to run the dairy.

Cole seems to have a perpetual smile on his face, greeting every customer individually and always ready to give some friendly, yet sage advice about everything from raising chickens to recommendations about the best type of fertilizer.

More notably, Cole has become somewhat of a local celebrity. This year, will mark the 20^th anniversary of the extreme Pumpkin Chunkin event, which raises money for charity and delights spectators with flying pumpkins that are launched more than 100-feet into the air and fly several hundred feet into a nearby field.

What made you decide to build a catapult?

“A little more than 20 years ago, there were lots of shows about catapults on the Discovery Channel and History Channel and other shows that about medieval history. And I thought to myself, man, I could build one of those.  (Laughs)

“It took me about a year, and we first tied it out in 2003. We had about 25 people come to watch. We quickly found out what worked and what didn’t work. (Laughs) One pumpkin went straight up into the air, over our heads and everyone had to scramble out of the way.” (Laughs).

So, you’ve improved your technique?

“Oh sure. It’s pretty cool to watch the kids’ expressions when they see the pumpkins launched. We also have an air cannon now to launch smaller pumpkins. It’s a lot of fun.

“The Dayton Destroyer had been improved over the years. We take it to the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest in October. “

The audience has gotten bigger over the years.

“Oh yes. Last year, we had more than 300 people come to watch. At that event, we raised more than $600 and collected a few hundred pounds of donated food to the York County Shelter in Alfred. Cars were lined up all along the road and we had a hot dog vendor.

This will be the 20^th anniversary. When is it scheduled?

“We always do it on the first Sunday in November. This year, we will do it on November 5^th, beginning at one o’clock.”

You grew up in a rural landscape when small commercial farms were more common and thriving. What have you seen change over the last few decades?

“It’s certainly different today. I can remember when there were two other dairy farms in York County. The way products are sold today, it’s hard for a small, independent farm operation to stay afloat.

“Right out of school, I knew that I still wanted to work in agriculture. I was an assistant manager at an Agway store in Dover, New Hampshire, where I met my wife (Valerie). In 1999, my dad sold me this property.”

What’s your busiest season?

“Oh, springtime, for sure. For us, it’s like Christmas. (Laughs) We’re lucky to have great customers who rely on us throughout the year.

“Actually, we were very busy during Covid. There was a big spike in interest of growing vegetables and raising chickens. There are lots of horses and chickens in York County.” (Laughs).

“When people ask us about raising chickens, we always tell them to make sure their home is zoned for it. Once you get it set up, it’s pretty easy to maintain chickens and you have fresh eggs.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but every egg at the grocery store is at least 30 days old.”

Besides chickens, horse feed and fertilizer, what other items are popular?

“Just about everything. Our customers range from hobby farmers to working farms. We probably sell 1,000 chickens per year, but we also sell flowers, gardening supplies, loam, manure and mulch.”

In a world of big-box stores, how does your store thrive?

“We’re open year-round, and I guess it’s our friendly service and good advice.” (Smiles).

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.