Kersbergen quoted in BDN article on closing of Morrill livestock farm
Richard Kersbergen, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension professor of sustainable dairy and forage systems, was quoted in a Bangor Daily News article about the closing of a small livestock farm in Morrill. Rose Rapp and her husband, owners of Farmetta Farm, announced to their customers that financial and other considerations had driven them to sell their animals and close the farm after seven years, according to the article. “I’m always sad to hear of a farm closing,” Kersbergen said. “It’s hard. All livestock business is very difficult. Think about having a diversified farm like she has. Processing those animals. Trying to find markets for the meat where people are willing to pay that premium, because her costs are high. It’s a dilemma, that’s for sure. I could tell it’s a very, very difficult business to be in.”