Rooted in Legacy: The Sines Family’s Dual Commitment to Forestry and Farming

Customer Feature: Generation III Logging & Sines Family Farm (Friendsville, Md.)

The Sines family has been logging since World War II and farming since 1984 in Garrett County, Md. While the logging operation was originally run with the help of a team of horses and the farm started as more of a hobby farm, both have evolved a great deal to become efficient and successful operations. Today, Danny and Patrick Sines jointly operate Generation III Logging and Sines Family Farm. They have found a solid balance, and both split their time between logging and farming. 

Danny Sines is a third generation logger who grew up in the woods, running a skidder from a young age. He began his own logging company, appropriately named Generation III Logging, in 2014. In 2016, he merged his young company with his father’s more established company and took over all operations under the Generation III Logging name. The company is fully mechanized and has five full-time employees, all of whom are family members, including Danny’s nephew, Patrick, who joined the operation in 2016. The company logs in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, and they contract with a sawmill that purchases the timber. Enhanced technology and great relationships within the tightknit forestry community have allowed Generation III Logging to prosper in the eleven years it’s been operational. 

Patrick Sines grew up helping his family both in the logging business and on the farm. Shortly after graduating from college with degrees in accounting and economics in 2016, Patrick decided to return to the family businesses. He initially purchased three commercial cows to get some skin in the game with the farming operation, but quickly realized that improving the quality of cattle would be a better strategy long-term than increasing quantity significantly. After a few years, Danny and Patrick decided to make the switch to all registered Angus cattle, and they’ve continually worked to improve their herd’s genetics over the years. Today Sines Family Farm runs about 60 brood cows, sells about 20 freezer beefs per year and works to sell 10 purebred Angus bulls, sold through private treaties. They keep about 10 replacement heifers per year and work with neighboring farms to sell a pot load, including the rest of their calves, to a grass-finishing beef operation in New Jersey. 

The Sines agree that working with Farm Credit has been a very positive experience and beneficial to their businesses. They appreciate the personal service they receive from Farm Credit team members, as well as the fact that their loan officer, Casey Hayes, is also involved in agriculture so she understands the different aspects and challenges of farming. 

Danny and Patrick both credit much of their success to their wives, Judy and Courtney, respectively. Without their unwavering support, Generation III Logging and Sines Family Farm would not be what they are today. They hope to continue building a strong legacy with both companies, and perhaps even pass along what they’ve built to future generations someday. 

For those involved in multi-generational family businesses, the Sines offer the following advice...

Danny said, “It can be done, but you can’t start planning early enough. If you look at the business as a true family business, you have to realize that it takes someone who really loves what they’re doing and is willing to put in the hard work to continue as the next generation, whether it’s your own child or another family member.”

Patrick added, “There will be a lot of hard conversations, but open, honest and frequent communication is key. We also always think about trying to make it easy for the next generation, but we believe you learn from experience. You need to take a couple of bumps along the way and learn to get back up.”

For aspiring foresters and agriculturalists, the Sines offer the following advice...

Danny said, “Don’t always assume your way is the best way. Listen to all advice, take it into consideration and make your own decisions. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Failure is okay as long as you learn.”

“Keep track of everything and use the data to make improvements. If you keep track but don’t use the data, it’s useless data,” said Patrick.

This feature story was published in the Summer 2025 Leader Magazine. Access the full magazine (digital version) HERE.