FAMILY HONORS LOCAL VETERAN — Donald Rafford Jr., of Ashland, a veteran of the Korean War, was honored by loved ones during a recent family reunion for his commitment to our nation. He was presented with an award his dedicated service and contribution to our nation’s freedom during the Korean War, 1951 and 1952, with the family acknowledging, “To you we owe a debt of gratitude and it starts with you.”
Here, Rafford is pictured with his grandsons, who presented the award to their grandfather, from left: Donald Rafford III, U.S. Army/National Guard; and Robert Rafford, U.S. Navy — they are the sons of Clark and Deborah Rafford, of Houlton.
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD – With relatives, friends, politicians and industry leaders looking on, the families of Ward McLaughlin and Trent Lundeen, brothers-in-law who together own and operate West Ride Farms in Mars Hill, were honored July 17 as the Maine Potato Board’s 2009 Farm Family of the Year.
The McLaughlins and Lundeens were the guests of honor at the Maine Potato Board’s annual Industry Dinner held during the Maine Potato Blossom Festival.
McLaughlin grew up farming in Mapleton until his father, Roger, 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 all changed when he met his future wife, Stephanie, and was invited to farm along with her family – the Lundeens.
Today, 25 years later, McLaughlin manages West Ridge Farms with Trent, a sixth-generation farmer. Both men are quick to point out, however, that it’s more than just a two-person job. 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 agreed.
“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.
“There’s also a huge focus on volume,” said Lundeen. “I used to farm 50 acres and make a living. Now we farm approximately 900 acres of potatoes and 900 acres of small grain.”
What hasn’t changed, and perhaps what McLaughlin and Lundeen love most, 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) carry on his legacy.
“It’s tough to keep going with the cost of expenses rising the way they are,” said McLaughlin, “but we like working together as a family … it’s why we keep doing what we do. My oldest son, Taylor, started back working with us in January, and he started to grow a few potatoes this spring. It looks like he wants to keep it going. With my youngest one, Logan, we’ll see as time goes on. Taylor will be the seventh generation to farm.”
During the Farm Family of the Year awards presentation, Donald Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, and Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations, presented McLaughlin and Lundeen with American flags that were flown over the U.S. Capitol on behalf of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. Collins was in Aroostook County earlier that day, but could not attend the Industry Dinner. Murray Blackstone, president of the Maine Potato Board, also presented the Farm Family with engraved clocks.
Sen. Roger Sherman (R-Houlton) and Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton) presented a legislative sentiment to the McLaughlin and Lundeen families.
“Because I represent Mars Hill, I had the honor this year of introducing, along with Sen. Sherman and the rest of the Aroostook County delegation, a legislative sentiment recognizing the 2009 Farm Family of the Year,” said Clark. “A legislative sentiment is when the state Legislature recognizes a great accomplishment, and certainly being the Farm Family of the Year is an extraordinary accomplishment and it was my pleasure to be able to bring that to the attention of the Legislature.”
“People don’t know how much work and effort and time … I wish they did … that you put in [to farming],” said Sherman. “You also have to have brains, and these folks are top class … the best of the best, and they are to be congratulated.”
McLaughlin expressed his thanks to the Maine Potato Board for bestowing the honor on the family.
“You see I’m not very good at drawing straws,” he joked. “I’d like to thank the staff and board members of the Maine Potato Board for selecting us as this year’s Farm Family of the Year. It is truly an honor and we appreciate it very much. I remember the day Don [Flannery] called and asked what we thought. I think he thought we got disconnected because it went pretty quiet. It was quite a surprise. Thank you very much.
“We feel very strong about the potato industry here in Maine,” said McLaughlin. “With the infrastructure we have in place, along with the Maine Potato Board, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Bargaining Council and financial institutions – just to name a few – we feel the potato industry is poised to be here for a long time to come.”
McLaughlin and Lundeen transitioned West Ridge Farms from tablestock potatoes to processing and chip stock in the early 1990s. 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.
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.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE FAMILIES of Ward McLaughlin and Trent Lundeen, brothers-in-law who together own and operate West Ride Farms in Mars Hill, were honored July 17 as the Maine Potato Board’s 2009 Farm Family of the Year. The McLaughlins and Lundeens were the guests of honor at the Maine Potato Board’s annual Industry Dinner held during the Maine Potato Blossom Festival. Celebrating their accomplishment are, front row, from left: Garth Lundeen, Trent’s father; Jackie Lundeen, Trent’s mother; Ward McLaughlin, Trent Lundeen, Iola Page, Trent’s mother-in-law; and Bill Page, Trent’s father-in-law. Middle row: Breann McLaughlin, Ward’s niece; Carolyn McLaughlin, Ward’s mother; Logan McLaughlin, Ward’s son; Stephanie McLaughlin, Ward’s wife; Kelly Lundeen, Trent’s wife; and Shawn Johnston, Tiffany Lundeen’s friend. Back row: Taylor McLaughlin, Ward’s son; Michelle Tweedie, Taylor’s fiancé; Martha McPartland, Logan’s friend; Brandon Hallett, Courtney Lundeen’s friend; and Trent’s daughters Courtney Lundeen, Brittany Lundeen and Tiffany Lundeen.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
DURING THE FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR awards presentation, Sen. Roger Sherman (R-Houlton) and Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton) presented a legislative sentiment to the families of Ward McLaughlin and Trent Lundeen. McLaughlin and Lundeen are brothers-in-law who together own and operate West Ridge Farms in Mars Hill. Pictured are, from left: Sherman, Lundeen, Garth Lundeen, Trent’s father; McLaughlin and Clark.
