Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I I N O. X X V N OV E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 6 20 FA M I LY - OW N E D B U S I N E S S F O C U S of a heifer barn in 2000, installa- tion of a large 100-foot-by 100- foot solid manure pit, transition to organic farming in 2004 and construction of a new parlor and holding area to enhance milking efficiency and cow comfort. e farm uses a rotational stock- ing management for its milking herd. Milking cows spend about 12 hours per day in the pasture on average, and up to 16 hours at the beginning of the grazing sea- son, depending on grass availability. Most heifers are also outside on pasture for six months or more each year. e cows' diet is supplemented inside the barn with a mixed ration of grass silage. Jeff 's son Jake returned to the farm after serving in the Air Force from 2003 to 2015 as a helicop- ter flight engineer and a C-130 navigator. Jake's wife Jillian spends much of her time homeschooling, but she enjoys getting to milk at least a couple times each month and help- ing out with other jobs. e farm has a community focus. It sells meat and milk at their farm store as well as in a few other local markets. e family hosts events and tours throughout the year. e biggest annual event is Pasture Day, where dozens of adults and kids join the Braggs in celebrating the cows' first time going out to pasture for the year. Jeff Bragg runs an organic compost business and has hosted tours and schools and works routinely with Maine Compost School, founded in 1997 to provide specialty education around com- posting basics. Earlier this year, the farm hosted a one-time "cow spa" presented by New Hampshire dairy company and yogurt maker Stonyfield Farm Inc., a buyer from the farm. e four-week spa, two days per week, featured calf cuddles and other activities. New revenue streams e family continues its modernization agenda, including an expansion of the milk room to add a second tank and a kitchen for on-farm milk processing for raw milk, cream and low-temp pasteur- ized whole milk, along with a more effi- cient bottling operation that will allow the farm to wholesale more milk. A long-term dream is to offer housing to interested young farm employees to help with the rising cost of home ownership. "It's pretty interesting right now trying to get all the other farm tasks done and also run the construction," Jake Bragg wryly says. e timing is uncertain, but eventually, being able to offer cream for retail sales will provide another important revenue stream. "e reality is that if you just have one source of income, you're probably not setting yourself up for any sort of flexibility for any economic lows that come your way," says Bragg. "So the point of expansion now is not only to establish a name and a brand and to be able to produce a product; it's also for the future." Changing times e industry has seen a fair amount of change through the generations. "No longer can you farm 20 or 30 cows and make a living and pass the farm to the next generation," says Bragg. "is is anecdotal, but my guess is you have to have 75 cows on a farm to be sustainable for one genera- tion — and about 150 cows to be able to have a two-generation farm." A bigger herd doesn't necessarily mean more hiring. Instead, farm- ers look to improve management protocols, infrastructure, technology, revenue and savings. Farmers keep their eyes open for additional revenue and savings. e Braggs' farm, for example, benefits from additional income from Jeff Bragg's compost business and his skills as a welder and fabricator. P R O U D LY S E RV I N G C E N T R A L , C OA S TA L , A N D S O U T H E R N M A I N E S I N C E 1 9 4 3 . With over 80 years of industry leadership, we're committed to building value that's verified with projects rooted in sustainability, driven by collaboration, and focused on creating lasting benefits in the communities we serve. Innovative and functional spaces that drive business success. C O M M E R C I A L Multi-unit properties that foster connection and support modern living. H O U S I N G Learning environments that inspire growth and academic excellence. E D U C AT I O N A L Spaces that bring people together and enhance local quality of life. C O M M U N I T Y Facilities that prioritize patient care and advanced medical services. H E A LT H C A R E S C A N TO V I E W O U R P R OJ E C T S Get in touch at hebertconstruction.com CONTACT US RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SERVICES Solar Electric EV Chargers Battery Back-up Systems Electrical Service Upgrades Heat Pump/HVAC Solutions Heat Pump Water Heaters Plumbing Services Indoor Air Quality 207-218-1411 www.logixmaine.com Logix, LLC , 18 Searsport Ave , Belfast, ME 04915 Proudly Serving Maine Since 2015 The point of expansion now is not only to establish a name and a brand and to be able to produce a product; it's also for the future. — Jake Bragg Rainbow Valley Farm » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E

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