Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/880214
V O L . X X I I I N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 22 e operation is a division of the family-owned Buck Farms. e broth- ers grew up farming. Beyond going to college, none wanted to leave home. Jared, the oldest, went to Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle to learn computer-aided draft- ing. Joshua, next oldest, also went to NMCC to learn residential construc- tion. Both continued to work on the farm through college. Jacob and Caleb are twins; both went to the University of Maine Orono: Jacob studied electrical engi- neering and Caleb studied mechani- cal engineering. Jacob had summer internships at places like potato-har- vest equipment manufacturer Spudnik Equipment Co. LLC in Idaho, but dreamed of returning to the farm after college. Caleb worked for a year in Seattle, at Boeing, then returned home. "It's a special connection to be work- ing with your father and uncles and brothers," says Jacob. "It's something not a lot of people get to experience. And there's something special about this area. I think we're very fortunate." But they recognized that potatoes couldn't support seven family farmers. " e potato industry is mature and we didn't have room to expand that," says Jacob. e four brothers started looking for ways to diversify. "In our research, we stumbled on hops, so we visited breweries to talk hops. We went to the Sea Dog Brewing Co., and the head brewer talked about barley. We told him that we grow barley. He said, 'If you malt it, then send it down.'" Malting changes the internal kernel of barley to make its sugars useable for brewers. e process is carefully controlled and closely monitored for a variety of factors like humidity and grain temperature. With the promise of connecting to craft brewing as a booming industry, the brothers drew up a business plan, smile by sarah No one has a smile like you. And no one can keep it healthy like us. Like Sarah, your smile is unique. It deserves Delta Dental, the nation's leading dental benefits provider. With the largest network of dentists nationwide, quick answers, and personalized service, we make it easy to keep your smile healthy. www.nedelta.com Northeast Delta Dental ยป C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 2 0 Maine Malt House 62 Grendell Road, Mapleton Partners: Bruce, Barry, Brent, Jared, Joshua, Jacob and Caleb Buck Number of employees: Sharing labor with Buck Farms, employees include seven family members, a hired man and seasonal help Contact: (207) 227-9780 www.buckfarms.net/maine-malt Caleb Buck harvests potatoes at Buck Farms in Mapleton, Aroostook County. P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D