Graber Lumber & Mulch

By Cathy Shouse

The family that owns Graber Lumber & Mulch in Spencerville is an exceptionally close one. The company runs two sawmills and mainly sells pallets and mulch, among other products.

The Graber family is Amish and they not only work together, but members of the family also regularly spend time together outside of the business. Jason Graber, 35, is the eldest son and is a partner with his father and siblings. Vernon is the middle brother and Neil Allen is the youngest. Their father Neil started the business in 1987 and continues to work alongside them.

“Our main income is the pallets we make and deliver to many steel mills. We do some furniture lumber that is green. We also make a lot of crane mats for power companies, etc.,” Jason said.

Jason has been working in the family business for so long that he’s not sure how old he was when he started as a young boy. He does remember how enthusiastic he was about working in his family’s business. He has always enjoyed the work and still does.

“Every day after school, I was out here. I just couldn’t wait to get home to help my dad. I was about eight or nine years-old and he would give me little projects. I started working for the company officially at age 16. My father started the company, and we lived right here on the company property,” Jason said.

As part of their beliefs, the company doesn’t maintain much of an internet presence and doesn’t keep up with a website. They employ 110 people. They operate on the conviction that, “Quality will normally sell itself.”

“We always try to be honest in all things,” Jason said. “If you never tell a lie, you won’t have to remember what you said.”

His crew will cut down trees and make them into logs, then into lumber. To find wood, they’ll target “mature timber,” often seeking out a farmer who has many acres of woods on their property, as one example. Jason works long hours, getting in at 5 a.m. and leaving around 5:30 p.m. most days.

“We’re just out here having fun every day,” he said. “If you enjoy what you do, it’s not really work. At the sawmill, we don’t like to have any waste. We sell the sawdust for animal bedding. We grind our wood waste into landscaping mulch, colorize, and deliver to many nurseries and landscaping companies.”

He said that mulch eventually breaks down and is “feeding the earth,” which he thinks is good.

Although the work they do hasn’t changed, in that they continue to cut wood as they always have, they now use a big machine. In the old days, they cut by hand using a chainsaw. This change has greatly enhanced their productivity without requiring more labor costs.

Jason takes an interest in the work he does and how it matters on a global scale, for producing wood products. “I was told that wood was the biggest employer in the world,” he said.

The family gets together in the evenings outside of work three times a week and enjoys visiting together. A couple of times a year, they all go on vacation together. The family members total

“We enjoy going to see the mountains,” he said. “We enjoy seeing

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By Ray Balogh

2 | Tuesday | Decatur Coin Show and Marketplace

Nearly 100 indoor vendors, hot food available. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (year-round), Riverside Center, 231 E. Monroe St. (Highway 224 East), Decatur. Contact Carla at 260.517.8182, decaturfleamarket.com.

4, 11, 18, 25 | Tuesday |

Little River Ramblers

Nature hikes, dress for the weather, boots are recommended, bring binoculars for a closeup view. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. April 4, 11, 18, meet at Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne; April 25, meet at Eagle Marsh East, 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne. 260.478.2515, lrwp.org.

13 | Thursday |

Historic Hand Arts Class: “Life as a Pioneer Child”

Childhood in pioneer times was vastly different than today. Come hear stories of “way back when” and how children entertained themselves when they had free time. History, instruction and materials for making an Early American toy; refreshments. $20. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Historic Swinney Homestead, 1424 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Reservations at 260.637.6692. settlersinc.org.

19 | Wednesday |

Short Hikes for Short Legs: Wetland Wonders

Learn about swimmers, wigglers, and things that go hop in the water. Dress for the weather, boots are recommended. For children 3-5 with responsible adult. 9 a.m.10 a.m. Meet at Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne. 260.387.0399, lrwp.org.