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V O L . X X I X N O. X X V O C T O B E R 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 34 FA M I LY - OW N E D B U S I N E S S F O C U S "You're working with family — that has tremendous advantages and some disadvantages," says Betsy Bullard. "Farm businesses are less pre- dictable than some other businesses. at's good and bad. ere's no sense of boredom, for sure." For the Bullards, onboarding was a process. "We were very fortunate that my parents were interested in both work- ing with us and in being open-minded around changes we thought would be appropriate or possible," she says. For example, in 2000, the farm was milking 50 cows. "We moved toward milking additional animals to generate additional cash flow," she says. She adds, "Every day is a new opportunity for learning experiences. For example, there's always a learning curve going from being an employee to an employer." e Bullards' teen children enjoy aspects of the farm. Will they take over? "If the opportunity appeals to them, we'd love to have them," says Bullard. "First and foremost, the busi- ness has to be viable, whether they want to take it over or someone else wants to do something with it." e Briggs remain very active. "eir roles have changed over time," says Bullard. "But I don't see either of them going off to a golf resort anytime. She adds, "ere are family farms in Maine that are doing really well, not by luck but through hard and thought- ful work about how they will continue to thrive. at's not limited to Maine. at's anyplace. Small businesses are not easy — whether it's a farm business or another small business. at keeps life interesting." Thinking about the future e 12-acre Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards in Cumberland started seven generations ago in 1812 with livestock and crops. By the mid-1800s, apples became the staple crop. In the 1950s, the family built a mar- ket for retail sales. In the early 2000s, endorsed by siblings Rick and Cathy, Greg Sweetser, his late wife Debbie and their sons Sam and Eben became the farm's stewards. Four generations now live on and maintain the farm. e operation's seasonality works well with other careers for his father, grandfather, son and daughter-in-law, says Greg Sweetser, who retired from 40 years in the ski industry, most recently leading the Ski Maine Association. Now Eben and Eben's wife Kate are interested in preserving and creating a sustainable model for the property. "at generation will have a different vision from mine," he says. "I'm doing the traditional thing — full-on agri- culture with pumpkins, maple syrup, apple pies. Eben and Kate like the event side of the business. ere are lots of opportunities here." at's a good thing, he says, given agriculture's uncertainties. "at's the excitement and tension, I guess, of having the next generation come in," he says. "How do you resolve different ideas? How do you assign pri- orities? Part of the operation right now is to think about the future." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1911 FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1911 FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1911 FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1911 SKOWHEGAN • MADISON • FARMINGTON • WWW.HIGHTAUTO.COM Maine Pele, Dng Maine Things » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Part of the operation right now is to think about the future. — Greg Sweetser Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Greg Sweetser says four generations live on and maintain Sweetser's Apple Barrel and Orchards in Cumberland, started seven generations ago.

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