The Irving operation raises1800 acres of potatoes andgrains. Robbie and his familygrow, handle and pack all sizes ofwhite, russet, red, and yellow po-tatoes for the fresh market, anddistribute and market processingpotatoes and all varieties of foun-dation and certified seed andgrain from Maine and other East-ern growing origins. The flagshipoperation (Irving Farms, Inc.) al-so grows processing potatoes forthe french fry market. Robbie also is involved with theindustry on a policy level, serv-ing on support committees for theMaine Potato Board, includingappearing before the Legisla-ture's agriculture, forestry andconservation committee last yearon LD1557. As well as his indus-try involvement, Robbie is anactive participant in his commu-nity and is a member of the Bes-sie Grey United MethodistChurch in Caribou. Today's young farmers are in agood place for the industry to besustained and healthy, accordingto Robbie. "We young growersfrom multi-generational familiesare fortunate to be double-educat-ed. Not only do we have collegeeducations, we were taught byour parents, uncles, grandfathersto love what we do, to see thefuture in farming, and to be enth-thusiastic about the satisfactionof a job well-done." He creditsmuch of this entusiasm to hisgrandfather, Bob Irving. "With-out him, none of this is happen-ing. I have never met a greaterman, nor a greater mentor, andsomeone that shows what it takes
to be successful in this industry." Robbieclearly is positive and enthusiastic about theindustry's future. He shared a favorite quotefrom Ralph Waldo Emerson:
"I am enthusiastic about the future and theyoung farmers who will lead us there," saysRobbie, "using that foundation we weretaught by our families, our industry offers
Don Flannery, executive director of theMaine Potato Board, expressed confidenceand enthusiasm for the industry's latest"young farmer" honoree. "The selection ofthe Young Farmer of the Year covers a num-ber of criteria, and Robbie rates high in all ofthem," he said. "We're truly pleased to recog-nize Robbie as an industry leader. He's anexcellent representative of the future of theMaine potato industry."
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learned what work ethic reallymeans from my parents and un-cles," said Robbie. "I was on theplanter when I was maybe twelve,before school and then afterschool until dark. It was realwork, but it was also the bestlearning experience for a kid."After graduating from WashburnHigh School he attended HussonUniversity in Bangor, majoring inbusiness administration. "My par-ents didn't push me into stayingon the farm. But once I graduatedfrom college, becoming involvedin the family farm just seemed toclick. Being a part of our growingoperation and having the opportu-nity to get a few decisions undermy belt, I knew this is where Iwanted to be." Robbie is vicepresident of Irving Farms Inc. aswell as logistics coordinator forIrving Farms Marketing andNorth State Transportation. Healso serves as food safety coordi-nator for Irving Farms Inc. andhas HACCP certification as wellas the SQF 2000 practitioners cer-tification.
"At Irving Farms we have triedto be at the forefront of the newesttechnology available to the indus-try, including GPS and X-rayequipment for internal defects toensure we are sending the bestpossible products to our custom-ers," said Robbie.
State police investigationrevealed that speed, tail gating andweather contributed to 142 vehiclesand 149 occupants colliding likedominos from mile 172 to 4 milesback on Interstate 95 Feb. 25 before 7a.m. One SUV started the chain reac-tion on a slippery downgrade rightcurve between guardrails on thenorthbound road. One school bus, 2tractor trailers, 39 cars with only 26reports of injury and no deaths werethe result. Approximately 34 EMSpersonnel responded with 17 ambu-lances, 28 firefighters and 29 law en-forcement responders were on scenebefore traffic was allowed 18 hourslater and all vehicles removed.
Irving Farms photo-Facebook
Young farmer of the yearContinued from page one
A The 2014 Maine BlueberryQueen attended the Ag Trade Show tohelp promote this agriculture in January.Elly Baubonis is recent graduate of Me-domak High and attends a pre-med pro-gram at USM and was selected at UnionFair last summer with her sponsor, Coast-al Blueberry.
The following sugar houses were recently judgedby the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, andForestry for their outstanding maple syrup, and were awardedin several categories for exceptional products made from sap.The Best in Class went to Hilltop Boilers LLC of Hollis -Grade A: Golden Color/ Delicate Flavor. These syrups were also awarded: Grade A: Golden Color/Delicate Flavor 1st Place - Hilltop Boilers LLC, 2nd Place -PM Larivierre of St-Zacharie Qc. CN; In the catetory: GradeA: Amber Color/ Rich Flavor 1st Place - Jillson Farm ofSabattus; 2nd Place - Springbreak Maple of Smyna; and 3rdPlace - Hilltop Boilers LLC. For the: Grade A: Dark Color/ Robust Flavor 1st Place-Hilltop Boilers LLC, 2nd Place - Springbreak Maple, 3rdPlace - Kinney's Sugarhouse of Knox. In the: Grade A: Very Dark Color/ Strong Flavor - 1st Place- Hilltop Boilers LLC; 2nd Place - Moonlight Maple of MtVernon and 3rd Place - PM Larivierre.
Fir, pine, good for goats & sheepWESTBROOK -Smiling Hill Farmhas been using non-tinseled, old Christ-mas trees to supple-ment the diets of 100sheep and goatsclaiming the treat isa natural wormerand has a lot of vita-min C serving as asupplement to a regular use of hay and grain.When it comes to sheep, the most minimum supplement be-yond salt or minerals free choice is at least crimped oat withample good hay and plenty of fresh water. Most shepherdsfeed a pellet mix, whole corn and barley with a sweet feed,especially in times of bitter cold. A same routine for goats.
Blueberry QueenvisitsTradeShow
good business opportuni-ties and has a great fu-ture. Today's growers aremore business savvy pluswe have that work ethicwe learned at an earlyage. The industry is invery good hands."
2015 S P R I N G ISSUE Mainely Agriculture || Equi Ag & Livestock || Aqua Agriculture 15
Largest Crashin Maine history
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