From September 18 to October 6, Presque Isle high school closed for the annual Harvest Break. During this break, PIHS students and staff get the chance to help farmers in Aroostook County during the fall season. 

Unlike other school breaks, this “vacation” is mainly for work. Students insert themselves into fast-paced, difficult work environments. “During harvest I woke up at 5:40 everyday. While I was at work, I stood right by the conveyor belt, picking out rotten potatoes, rocks and anything that shouldn’t have been in there,” Porter Farms employee Neve Guerrette ’25 said. “It was exhausting on the legs and could get boring, but I earned good money and learned a good work ethic.”

Students may do a variety of things at different farms, from conveyor work at potato houses to driving trucks. “I racked and moved equipment around and wheeled the double stinger around,” Josiah Kierstead ’24 said. Kierstead worked for Crown Farms in Presque Isle. 

Many county students prefer the three week vacation over regular school weeks. “I prefer working harvest for sure,” Hemphill Farms employee Addison Hafford ’25 said. The amount of money earned in just three weeks often makes up for the long hours. “Harvest pays, school doesn’t,” Kierstead said. 

After working harvest, students feel a sense of community and a strengthened connection within Aroostook County. “We have something that differs from other counties and states,” Irving Farms employee Bailee McIntyre ’25 said. “Harvest break displays the uniqueness of our county.”

Each year, after harvest wraps up, a student survey is conducted to every student in Presque Isle high school. While the results for this year are still being tabulated, last years results prove how “hard working” the school really is. After receiving last years results, out of the 468 students surveyed, 67 did agricultural work, and 144 worked in a non-agricultural field. They totaled a number of around $183,456 (this only includes students who worked agricultural work).