Probus Club tours community center
PRESQUE ISLE — The Probus Club met Nov. 17 at the new Sargent Family Community Center in Presque Isle.
Contributed photos
GUEST SPEAKER — Emily Smith, center, is greeted by Probus Club President Thomas Lunn, left, and Program Chairman Dana Crory during the club’s recent meeting. Smith provided an overview of her family’s company, Smith Farm Inc.
TOURING THE CENTER — Probus Club President Thomas Lunn, left, stands with Brad Boyles, program director at Presque Isle’s Sargent Family Community Center, by the center’s donor wall display. Boyles led club members on a tour of the facility during their recent meeting.
Brad Boyles, the program director for the facility, conducted a tour for the members, showing the rooms available for use as well as some unique design features. The building is dedicated to the memory of William Haskell, Presque Isle’s first recreational director and the first in the state of Maine.
The center includes a seniors room, free for use for all Aroostook senior citizens, along with a multipurpose conference room, gym with walking track and free wifi. Several groups are holding programs and events there — yoga, flower arranging, arts, gymnastics, gym games and birthday parties.
Dana Crory, program chairman, introduced the guest speaker, Emily Smith, Presque Isle city councilor and part owner of Smith’s Farm Inc. of Presque Isle.
“Our company strength is that we are six generations strong and we pride ourselves on doing things the right way, rather than the easy way,” she stated.
She gave a short history of the company.
The farm was originally established in 1859 and operated by the sixth generation of Smiths. They began the very first consumer packs for their customers and now grow 4,000-6,000 acres of broccoli in Maine, Smith said.
The broccoli harvest runs from July to October, she explained. The farm employs crop rotation and trades ground with other growers. To achieve the four-year rotation on the broccoli crop, they manage 14,000 to 20,000 acres, growing 25-30 varieties at one time. The company also cultivates 800-1,000 acres in Florida.
Currently, the farm is experimenting with cauliflower, while still producing both seed and table potatoes. They sell to almost every major chain east of the Mississippi, said Tara Smith-Vighetti, director of marketing for Smith’s Packing Corp. and Smith’s Farm.
The company employs 25-30 full-time employees, 60-70 local workers and seasonal workers.
The club will next meet on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Reed Commons on the Northern Maine Community College campus at 11 a.m. There will be entertainment and a luncheon.
Anyone who is retired and interested in the community is welcome to attend any Probus meeting and become a member.
