Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Robert Roope family of Presque Isle was recently named the Maine Potato Board’s 2008 Farm Family of the Year.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE ROBERT ROOPE FAMILY of Presque Isle has been named the Maine Potato Board’s 2008 Farm Family of the Year. Though Robert Jr., 80, retired at age 65, he continues to work on the farm every day with his sons, Bruce and Brandon. Members of the Roope family include, from left: Dolores, Bruce’s wife; Bruce, Robert Jr. and his wife, Regina; and Brandon. The family will be honored at the Industry Dinner held during the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival.
While many people associate the “Roaring Twenties” with speakeasies, flapper dresses, and Model Ts, Bruce Roope, son of Robert Jr., cannot think about this memorable decade without thinking of his grandmother, who originally had the farm.
Today, thanks in part to Robert Jr., who took over the farm and carried on its legacy until Bruce and his brother, Brandon, assumed operations, the farm remains a vital contributor to Maine’s agricultural community.
A lot has changed about the farm and the industry, but little has changed when it comes to the Roope family’s love for and devotion to farming. Perhaps nothing demonstrates this commitment more than the fact that “Dad retired at age 65, but has worked every day since,” said Bruce, speaking about Robert Jr., who is now 80 years old.
“Dad” comes up a lot in conversation with Bruce. And, he should. After all, according to Bruce, he’s the one who taught his boys to “keep plugging away, always do your best, modernize, step out, take risks, and always have optimism.”
Holding steadfast to these lessons, “Bruce and Brandon have not only built a successful business, but also have contributed greatly to the industry and community at large,” said Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations for the Maine Potato Board. “They have served on local, state, and national boards (ranging from the National Potato Council to the Maine Association of Conservation Districts to the local school board) and been heavily involved in local, state, and national government, working on behalf of agricultural and all natural resources.
Brandon currently sits on the Maine Potato Board, representing the processing sector and serving as treasurer. He and the entire Roope family are true advocates of agriculture and, from generation to generation, have served Maine’s potato industry for nearly a century.
But, both brothers (Bruce and Brandon) are the first to admit it hasn’t always been easy.
“Times can be tough, even now with the cost of production,” Bruce said. “And, people forget about the role farming plays in feeding our nation and in supporting our economy. We all need to remember how important industries related to natural resources are … we never want to become reliant on another country for our food.”
Along with the challenging times, however, the Roope family has been witness to amazing advancements and innovation. Bruce clearly remembers coming home from high school one day to a four-row planter. He said he couldn’t believe it – he thought that was vast.
“Now we pick up 10 rows at a time during harvest and our trucks carry 200 barrels (300 CWT) of potatoes,” said Bruce, who added the biggest advances have occurred in the past five to 10 years, citing specifically the mechanization of farming.
Bruce said his greatest hope for the future is to keep young people in Maine and working in farming or a related industry. In sharing this hope, he reiterates the importance of agriculture to the state, the nation, and the world. Bruce realizes that to him, farming is a way of life, but to the world, it is a critical ingredient to promoting healthy living and economic vitality.
The Roope family will be honored at the Industry Dinner held during the annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival.
