SHERMAN, Maine — The Maine Potato Board has selected the John and Tom Qualey family of Sherman, as the 2015 Farm Family of the Year.
The Qualey brothers, along with John’s son Josh, farm 1,000 acres in southern Aroostook, 350 acres of potatoes and the remainder in rotation crops: oats, barley and small grains.
The Qualeys, fifth generation Irish immigrants, speak proudly of their late parents, Arthur and Rita, who purchased the “home farm” in 1963, operating a dairy, where they raised their two sons and seven daughters. Their dad sold the dairy cows when the time was right for him, so although Tom and John grew up on a dairy, when they established their farming operation, Three Oak Farms, they were happy to focus on the potato industry. Both Tom and John had attended college in Maine prior to returning to southern Aroostook and, having explored other opportunities, became potato growers.
John also established a trucking business, Qualey Ranch, which remains in business today. The three Qualeys are happy in their present operations, but see a need for major decisions within the next few years, as retirement grows closer and a little more attractive. And Josh has some decisions to make regarding his role with the farm. “I struggle with it,” spoke Josh. “The risk is big,” agrees his uncle, “but it can be a really good life.” The Qualeys are looking ahead realistically and in a timely manner to where they may be in the next five to ten years.
“We need this industry in this state and region,” said Tom. ‘We need to keep it strong, viable and sustainable. Maine’s growers have a great, great geographical advantage with the population of the U.S. northeast within a day’s drive. But we have to adapt and take advantage of our location.”
The Qualeys believe the potato industry is sustainable at 50 to 55 thousand acres, but increasing yields is paramount to maintaining the region’s share of the potato industry. “It is critical to increase yields,” said Tom, but as John pointed out, “It is difficult to maintain consistency with yields, and that’s a challenge. Some years up, some down. So many variables, weather, all we can do is try.”
Both John and Tom emphasize the importance of being open and willing to change as an industry grower. “I’ve been doing this for forty years and I’m still learning,” added John. “If we don’t keep on top of change, whether in markets, new technologies, what have you, it will be the demise of the industry.”
The Qualeys grow primarily for the chip industry and sell their crop through Aroostook Produce Distributors (APD). They have tried selling for processing in the central Aroostook area, but geography has Sherman 75 miles south of processing plants. Their father advised them to look south…and so they do. We can’t go north, the brothers point out, or we would have been out of business! The transportation costs make that prohibitive.
Tom Qualey has been nationally and regionally involved in the potato industry for many years. He served on the Maine Potato Board for six years, serving two years as chair: 2001 – 2002. In 2004 he was elected to the United States Potato Board, serving for seven years. In 2009 Tom was elected chair of the USPB for a one-year term, and he continues to be involved in regional and national organizations. “This has given me insight on the diversity of our region and also the common goals that we share as an industry,” said Tom.
The Qualey family demonstrates the strength of a family organization, the determination to have a successful role in the potato industry, and the realistic vision of the challenges facing a farm family in today’s modern agriculture environment. Tom’s wife Linda is the CEO of a non-profit in the Bangor area, but keeps the farm books and has been known to help out when needed. They live in the near-by community of Benedicta. Tom and Linda have two daughters, Meagan and Erin, and three granddaughters, who live in Southern Maine and Illinois. John and his wife Patty live on Three Oak Farms with their daughter Katie. Patty is an integral part of the operation who manages, recruits and schedules the crew. Along with Josh, John and Patty also have three other sons, Jimmy, Jason, and Jesse, and six grandchildren who live in Holden, ME, VA, and Iowa. They are excited to welcome a daughter-in-law Sarah and two grandchildren with Josh’s upcoming wedding in August.
Three Oak Farms lies peacefully in the shadow of Mount Katahdin in southern Aroostook… not a bad place for Arthur and Rita Qualey to choose to raise their nine children… and provides continuity as their sons and grandson face the industry’s future. “Every day, both as a family and as an industry, we have to put our big boy boots on and address whatever challenge and opportunity the day brings,” added John. “That’s what successful farmers do.”
