Maine Potato Board names Farm Family of the Year

13 years ago

CROUSEVILLE — The Maine Potato Board recently announced the recipient of this year’s Farm Family of the Year 2011, bestowing the honor to Fred Flewelling and his family, of Crouseville.

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Photo courtesy of the Flewelling family

FRED FLEWELLING and his family, of Crouseville, have been named the 2011 Farm Family of the Year by the Maine Potato Board. Flewelling started working on the farm as a child and then joined his father, Wilmot Flewelling, full-time in 1974 after purchasing land from his great uncle, William Crouse. Today, he runs Flewelling Seed Farms with his wife, Patsy (Campbell) Flewelling. Pictured are, from left, front row: Jenni Healey, granddaughter; Lindsay (Flewelling) Healey, daughter, holding grandson, Jacob Healey; Ruth Flewelling, mother, holding Madison Healey, granddaughter; Wilmot (Bill) Flewelling, father, holding Brayden Castonguay, grandson; Courtney (Flewelling) Castonguay, daughter, holding Anna Castonguay, granddaughter; and Maggie Castonguay, granddaughter. Back row: Randy Healey, son-in-law; Fred Flewelling, Patsy Flewelling, wife; and Jerry Castonguay, son-in-law. The Flewelling family will be honored at the Industry Dinner held during the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival.

Flewelling started working on the farm as a child and then joined his father, Wilmot Flewelling, full-time in 1974 after purchasing land from his great uncle, William Crouse. In 1981, Flewelling purchased his uncle Leo Flewelling’s farms, which included land homesteaded by his great-great-grandfather in the early 1860s. Today, he runs Flewelling Seed Farms with his wife, Patsy (Campbell) Flewelling.

“I am honored to be recognized by the industry I have been so heavily involved with,” said Flewelling. “People tend to see farming as one of the most basic occupations, but the reality is, it’s extremely important, and I want to see it carried on for future generations.”

Flewelling recognizes that upholding the tradition and importance of Maine potato farming hinges on growers continuing to evolve. He credits his family’s success with many things, but especially to adapting to markets and staying on top of technology.

With nearly 300 acres devoted to potato farming, Flewelling Seed Farms once yielded table stock, but in accordance with the market, switched to seed potatoes, supplying both Frito Lay and McCains.

Perhaps Flewelling’s willingness to adapt to market demands and new technology stems from his father letting him always try new things.

“My Dad let me build my career by experimenting,” said Flewelling. “Sometimes things worked, sometimes they didn’t, but he always let me try.”

Flewelling considers it a great privilege to have worked side-by-side with his father, who still helps out around the farm – as do his two daughters, Lindsay Healey and Courtney Castonguay, along with their families. He is quick to point out the depth of family ties among farmers. These ties, however, extend well beyond family.

“Farming is a fabric of the community,” said Flewelling. “Farmers stick together and help make up the social structure of a region. Furthermore, we are caretakers of the land and contribute to the economic health of Maine.”

Agriculture is the second leading industry in Maine, with potato farming leading the pack.

Flewelling serves on the National Potato Council board of directors and is chair of the National Council’s Seed Subcommittee. He has also served on the Maine Potato Board, Seed Executive Council, Maine Seed Potato Board, Aroostook Water and Conservation Service, Maine Potato Growers board, two years as vice president of the National Potato Council Grower Relations Committee, and chairman of the board of the Crouseville Advent Christian Church.

Flewelling’s awards include MPB Young Farmer of the Year (1981), NPC Gold Potato Award for Leadership (1992), NPC Seed Grower of the Year Award (1998) and MPB Farmer of the Year Award  (1999).

The Flewelling family will be honored at the Industry Dinner held during the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival.