CARIBOU, Maine — Harvest break, a tradition unique to Aroostook County, once employed hundreds of students throughout the region. Local farmers still maintain the practice today, though participation levels have declined over the years for several reasons.
Robbie Irving, co-owner of Irving Farms, says he noticed the decline when he worked harvest break in school. Today, Caribou, Limestone and Washburn schools continue to close during the fall potato digging season.
“When I was in school, there would be 10 or 15 kids who would work,” Irving said. “If you talk to farmers in the area, it is difficult to depend on some students because they have additional responsibilities during their break. For example, I have a kid working for me who has to go to cross country practice directly after work. He works a physically demanding job all day and then has to run four or five miles, and gets up the next morning to do it all again.”
Irving, who was honored as 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, has been farming with his uncle Scott since his father Steve retired. He began soon after receiving a business degree from Husson University in 2006.
Irving says his farm moves approximately 28 million pounds of potatoes every year.
Like many Aroostook farmers, it was the experience of working harvest break as a teenager that sparked Irving’s interest in pursuing a career in agriculture.
“I learned about work ethic at a young age,” said Irving, “and that’s why I think it’s incredibly valuable for kids to continue working harvest. It’s amazing to see a kid come in who might not have any relevant skills or values and, over the course of their time here, see this transition where they gain skills and confidence about farming. These are things you can’t teach in a classroom, especially the work ethic.”
Irving says that, in speaking to employers in the Portland area, one might find that a job applicant from Aroostook County could have a leg up on the competition since Maine’s northern region is known for having a strong work ethic, which is anchored in the farming tradition.
As far as locating a specific cause for the decline in potato harvest participation, Irving says it may be that students are tied down by other obligations such as sports or school projects that need to be finished during the break.
“I think there needs to be more communication between farmers and the schools,” said Irving. “I understand that a lot of kids can’t necessarily work due to their other obligations, and we’ve seen an incredible decline in participation which is really too bad.”
While the farmer admits that “life would go on” without student participation, he adds that it would be very upsetting if the program ended entirely, as it provides a “golden opportunity” for young adults to learn about the real world and about the backbone of Aroostook County’s economy.
“Teenagers are in such a transitional period and sometimes what they need is some good, clean, hard, fulfilling work,” said Irving. “When you get that check at the end of the week, you say to yourself ‘I earned that,’ and that carries through the rest of your adult life. Some kids work on the farm and love it. Some kids not so much, but at least they experience it and have a golden opportunity to make some money. I hope the schools continue this tradition, because it’s a great opportunity.”
