Agricultural Loan Program
While farming first brought him into the agriculture world, 802Logging founder Seth Robillard cut his own path to success in the woods.
Growing up on Robillard Brother’s Farm, run by his parents and grandparents, he learned early on about operating heavy equipment and the value of hard work.
At just 15 years old, Robillard and his brothers took over the farm and continued farming for several years.
Making ends meet became increasingly difficult, and Robillard, determined to discover his own path, embarked on a new journey.
He launched 802Logging, LLC on Jan. 1, 2018.
His logging operation quickly expanded to include firewood sales and, eventually, composting services. This diversification was crucial in providing a steady income stream, especially during the dreaded mud season.
As most loggers can attest, business is continually at the mercy of Mother Nature and machinery.
VEDA came into the picture as Robillard was looking to purchase a feller buncher, a machine similar to an excavator but equipped with a saw head and accumulating fingers. Without it, he would need to hire custom operators, which would be a huge expense and logistical challenge. Owning the machine would save time and money. It would allow him to cut smaller amounts of wood at a time, critical during warm winter days when freeze-thaw cycles could potentially ruin inventory.
For Robillard, the VEDA connection was personal. His partner, Nicole, went to college with loan officer Andy Wood. Adding fellow loan officer Colleen Leonard into the equation led to a five-year loan that significantly boosted efficiencies within the business.
“If VEDA financing weren’t an option, the landscape would be drastically different for my business,” Robillard said. “The terms of the loan were instrumental in purchasing the feller buncher, and without it, our ability to secure a working lands grant would have been non-existent.”
