Estabrook’s Farm & Greenhouses – Family Business Spotlight / Business After Hours

Featured Event

Estabrook’s Farm & Greenhouses – Family Business Spotlight / Business After Hours

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm,
Estabrook's Pownal Production Greenhouse, 76 Hallowell Road, Pownal
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Event Calendar

The IFOB has many programs this year which are open to everyone! View our upcoming programs in weekly, monthly, yearly or list view below. Be sure to add those of interest to your calendar and register today!  Click here for our 2026 Hierarchy 2.2.26 list of programs to date.

Our “How tos” Educational Programs for 2026 are being developed now. We’ll post them as soon as we have them curated and ready to go.

March 2026

The Institute for Family-Owned Business provides programs and services on issues that can benefit every family member and your business.

We have over 40 programs scheduled, from small facilitated meetings to open programs where we encourage all and “future” members to join us.

View and download our 2026 full list of programs here.

 

Note: Open “Green” programs include all family business members, associate partner members, and “future” members (i.e., non-members). At the Associate Partner level of membership, specific programs may be unavailable and open only to family business members. These programs are by reservation only with Catherine Wygant Fossett, the executive director. If you need information, support, or guidance, we can be reached at (207) 798-2667 or at catherine@fambusiness.org. Our mailing address is Post Office Box 3364, Portland, Maine 04104.

Programs & Services Offered by IFOB

Educational Programs and Workshops

Scholarship Program

We have a unique Scholarship Program for High School seniors. Please contact Brooke Stewart, Director of Communications at 207.281.2414 or at brooke@fambusiness.org

Each year since 2000, the Institute for Family-Owned Business recognizes family-owned, Maine-based businesses through its Maine Family Business Awards in partnership with MEMIC. This gala attracts family businesses, large and small, for a celebration that pays more than just recognition. It serves as a vehicle for networking and opening up all shades of possibilities for families seeking to grow their businesses. Since its inception, we have identified 113 companies for various categories of excellence.

The awards celebrate the accomplishments of small and large businesses that exemplify the following criteria:

  • Business success
  • Positive business and family linkages
  • Contributions to the community and industry
  • Family participation
  • Work environment
  • Communication
  • Innovative business practices or strategies

Awards are presented in seven categories:

1
Renys Large Business Award (25 or more full time, year-round employees)
2
Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award
3
Horch Roofing First Generation Award
4
M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award
5
Shep Lee Community Service Award
6
Maddy Corson Small Business Award (fewer than 25 full time, year-round employees)
7
Geiger Environmental Leadership Award

Periodically, the IFOB awards the BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award to an active community member and champion for the Institute. The IFOB board votes on the recipient and the award is presented at the annual gala.

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BECOME A MEMBER

Five Reasons To Join the IFOB!

1
Free or discounted rate to over 40 programs (Zoom, in-person, or hybrid) Check out our new archive of past programs!
2
A one-stop shop - Unlimited resources to our network. If you need it, we know who has it or where to find it.
3
A one-stop shop - Unlimited resources to our network. If you need it, we know who has it or where to find it.
4
All employees - YES, all employees are covered under your membership, family and non-family members too!
5
Advertising -Submit member programs, events, news, job listings, podcasts, resources and more within our NEW member portal! Exclusive to members only!

See for yourself what we can do for you.

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News & Updates

We’re always finding ways to keep busy and stay productive. Here is a rundown of the latest happenings at the Institute and our member companies!

February 26, 2026

IFOB Programming Committee Pre-reading Materials
Thank you all for being on our programming committee.  We have a fun and busy job ahead of us. We have our data from our 2025 surveys for each program from last year and we received 34 applications for 2026.  I have tried to organize this information roughly...

February 25, 2026

IFOB Board: Pre-reading Materials for Board meeting Thursday, February 26 – 9-10:30 am – Verrill
Dear Board, Thanks for taking a look at our pre-reading materials for the Board meeting that I sent along last week. We just finished up our financials and I will email them separately.  As I mentioned in my Executive Report, I have been automating many systems and we...

February 10, 2026

IFOB: Women’s Leadership Forum going Zoom only tomorrow
Hi Everyone, Due to the Winter Advisory for tonight and sickness in my household, we’re going to move the meeting to Zoom to keep everyone safe. “ The Middle Manager Motivation Gap  ” Topic As a middle manager in a small business, you’re often expected to perform at a...
CONTACT

Let’s Do Business Together!

Get in touch with us via phone, email, or online contact form, and we’ll be in touch to discuss the ways in which we can work together.

P.O. Box 3364
Portland, Maine 04104 USA

207.798.2667
info@fambusiness.org