MaineBusiness.com

Presque Isle, Maine — The Maine Potato Board recently announced the recipient of this year’s Farm Family of the Year 2009, bestowing the honor to the families of Ward McLaughlin and Trent Lundeen of West Ridge Farms in Mars Hill, Maine.

Ward grew up farming in Mapleton, Maine, until his father passed away when McLaughlin was just 15 years old. His mother sold the farm, and McLaughlin never dreamed he’d have the opportunity to farm again. That’s until he met his wife, Stephanie, and was invited to farm along with her family – the Lundeen Family.

Today, 25 years later, McLaughlin manages West Ridge Farms in tandem with his brother-in-law Trent Lundeen, who is sixth generation on the farm. Both men are quick to point out, however, that they don’t go it alone. First, there’s the rest of the family: parents Garth and Jackie Lundeen, wives Stephanie McLaughlin and Kelly Lundeen, and their five children, all of whom play critical roles in the farm’s success.

Then, there’s the greater farming and business community. “Farming involves working with a lot of people, from agronomists and field reps to suppliers and bankers, ” said McLaughlin. “We rely on a lot of people to gather information and to make smart decisions. It’s how we survive the ups and downs of agriculture.”

McLaughlin acknowledges that potato farming has changed a lot during his lifetime, especially during the past 15 years. “Farming is not just sitting in a tractor, it’s working in an office,” he said. “There’s a lot to manage, and a lot of planning, skill, and collaboration is required these days.”

Lundeen echoes these sentiments: “When I started 26 years ago, farming was simple. We planted, harvested, and marketed,” he said. “Today, everything is computerized. Our storage facilities are controlled and cost millions of dollars, not thousands like back in the day. Everything is cutting edge, and there’s no room for error.”

“And, there’s a huge focus on volume,” added Lundeen. “I used to farm 50 acres and make a living.” Today, Lundeen and McLaughlin farm 900 acres of potatoes and 900 acres of small grain. Yes, quite a difference.

What hasn’t changed, and perhaps what McLaughlin and Lundeen love best, is family working side by side with a common purpose. McLaughlin still thinks back to when he farmed alongside his father and grandfather. He also looks ahead to the day his son(s) carries on his legacy. “We like working together as a family…it’s why we keep doing what we do,” said McLaughlin.
And, they’ve done it well. McLaughlin and Lundeen are proud of their efforts, especially of transitioning West Ridge Farms from table stock to processing and chip stock in the early 90s. Today, West Ridge Farms has contracts with Frito Lay, McCain Foods, and Naturally Potato. These contracts, to a great extent, underscore the farm’s success. “You have to market before you plant,” said Lundeen. “It can’t be the other way around.”

McLaughlin and Lundeen, often joined by family, meet at least daily to discuss marketing and business overall. They make all decisions together, and they hope to pass their work ethic, way of life, and the rewards derived from farming on to future generations.

McLaughlin serves on the Agricultural Bargaining Council (ABC) and the Mars Hill town council. He has also served on the Maine Potato Board and the Potato Marketing Improvement Fund (PMIF) Board.

Lundeen also serves on the ABC and closely follows the National Potato Council.
There are about 380 potato growers in Maine, from Aroostook County to the western mountain region around Bethel and Fryeburg. The total impact of the potato industry on the state’s economy is $540 million in sales, 6100 jobs, over $230 million in personal income, and over $32 million in state and local taxes.

To find Maine potatoes, consumers should look for the Maine Quality Trademark – a blue, white, and red State of Maine trademark – or ask store produce managers for Maine potatoes (as not all bags are marked). For more information visit www.mainepotatoes.com.
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