You have expressed concern over the ownership and management of the Turner, Leeds and Winthrop egg farms. One thing on which we agree is that Hillandale Farms will have to earn the trust of the people of Maine with our actions as we assume the operations of these farms.

It is important that your readers understand a few facts about the transition of ownership of these farms:

• The lease arrangement with an option to purchase is exactly the same with Hillandale Farms as it was between the DeCoster entities and Land O’Lakes/Moark over the last four years.

• Hillandale Farms Conn, LLC — part of the Bethel Family Limited Partnership — operates the Turner, Leeds and Winthrop farms. The Bethel Family Limited Partnership is made up of two generations of the Bethel family.

• Jack DeCoster has no ownership in our company, and he has absolutely no role in the management of our farms. The management of the Maine farms will continue to be under the capable leadership of Skip Hagy, as it has for the last four years.

Please be assured each of our past experiences has made us better stewards of the environment and managers of our operations. We will continue to work with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to ensure a healthy operation and one that continues to be a good neighbor for all the people of Maine.

Steve Vendemia is president of Hillandale Farms Conn, LLC.


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