Staff Writer
Growing potatoes today takes much more than digging in the dirt and a love of the outdoors. Farmers also must have knowledge of technology and an interest in what consumers want, according to the recipient of the Young Farmer of the Year Award.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra WalshAlan Moir, seated, was named Young Farmer of the Year by the Maine Potato Board. Moir, of Woodland, works with this father and brothers on Moir Farms producing 700 acres of potatoes annually. Shown with Moir are his wife, Stacy, standing at right, and the couple’s chidren, Corey, 10, left, and Amber, 6, right.
Alan Moir of Woodland was the named the award recipient last week by the Maine Potato Board. Along with his father Ron Moir, and brothers, Jason and Scott, Moir grows 700 acres of potatoes along with a similar amount of rotation crops, broccoli and grains annually.
During an interview on Saturday, Moir talked about the technology needed to plant a crop as well as in the storages used to keep the potatoes fresh during the winter. The Moirs grow round whites and russets, which are bound for the processing plant.
“All the storages are controlled by computerized panels,” said Moir. “It’s a big investment.”
In the planters, there are sensors that show fertilizer rates and seed spacing and sensors to monitor the accuracy, Moir said.
“Technology is everywhere,” he said.
A full-time grower for 16 years, Moir attributed his family’s success to continuing to expand acreage, increasing contracted potatoes and keeping up with the use of new technology available to modern farm operations.
Moir Farms has increased acreage by approximately 400 acres for rotation purposes over the last five years. In addition, the family has put in a man-made pond as a water source for irrigation with a center pivot in place and available when needed. They also removed line fences to facilitate expansion and better utilize the farmland.
The biggest challenge facing farm families today is the ever-increasing costs of production. With the costs of fuel and fertilizer, the expenses associated with farming keep climbing, he said.
To combat the costs, Moir said the farm began using a six-row planter and cultivator, which does more work using only one tractor and cuts down on the amount of fuel and manpower needed.
The workload is shared between the brothers, with one doing the planting, another spraying and still another specializing in keeping the machinery in operating condition.
“We try to eliminate as much of the costs as possible,” Moir said.
But with a “good work ethic and a strong desire to keep going,” Moir hopes to keep the farm going for the generation to come.
“It’s in his blood,” said Stacy Moir, Moir’s wife who works at the Woodland Elementary School.
While the best part of farming is the freedom of working for oneself, the worst part is the inability to regulate Mother Nature, Moir said.
As the award recipient, Moir will travel next month to Denver and Washington D. C. for a potato leadership institute by the U.S. Potato Board. During that weeklong seminar, Moir will attend training sessions on industry topics such as marketing and consumer overviews. He also will receive training in lobbying, food service trends and working with the media.
Moir credited his farm’s success to the work of all the family members, including his wife and children who put up with the long hours and “dragging dirt all through the house.”
He has praise for all young farmers who work to keep Maine’s potato industry alive.
Moir has high hopes for the future of the Maine agricultural industry.
“I would like to see Maine grow in acreage to the way it used to be when Maine was most prosperous,” said Moir. “I would also like to see different potato processors or different avenues available to Maine growers. My hope too is that growers will continue to explore other crops to help turn a profit as well.”
In addition to the farm, Moir is a board member and treasurer of the Agricultural Bargaining Council, a member and past president of the Central Aroostook Young Farmers and a member of the U.S. Potato Board.
Moir is a recently retired firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Service. He is on the board of Aroostook Savings and Loan and is a member of the Caribou Snowmobile Advisory Board.
He and his wife, Stacy, have two children: Corey, 10, and Amber, 6.
“Alan and his family have continued to expand acreage and increase contracts in a competitive marketplace,” said Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations for the Maine Potato Board. “Moir Farms keeps a constant focus on top quality and efficiency. Alan and his family are a credit to the industry.”
