Why does Applejack run Sweet Apple Acres?

[ggg-2 3,549]

Yes, Applejack is more open than her brother, but usually family run businesses are passed to the first born, which in this case is Big Mac. What's your theory? (and before someone brings it up, yes, I know that the original idea was for Big Mac to run the farm)

[Deathstroke 1,564]

Maybe in the will of applejack's parents they told granny smith that applejack should run sweet apple acres?

[Shanks 10,811]

I think Big Mac and Applejack run Sweet Apple Acres together actually, Granny Smith helps as much as she can but can't do as much as she used to due to her old age and hip problems. They may not show Big Mac running things very often but that dosen't mean that he dosen't have an enormous influence over Sweet Apple Acres.

Edited July 24, 2014 by EarthbendingProdigy

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,090]

The Apple family probably works as a team to run Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack is a main character, so that's why she gets more spotlight. She also seems to be the most outgoing between her, Granny Smith, and Big Mac, so she probably is the face of Sweet Apple Acres in most of its business arrangements. Though Granny Smith does seem to be the one who interacts with Filthy Rich when selling their Zap Apple Jam, so I'm just going to stick with the team effort answer in the end.

[otaku4242 183]

because her parents are dead and granny smith is too senile!

[TeaCrumpet 27]

Well honestly it really depends on how the family hierarchy is set up in Equestria. We learn it seems from the new Applejack novel that her mother is the GS daughter thus making her father the one who married in. If we assume that Equestria is most likely a matriachy, then as the oldest daughter of the Apple clan would get the farm, thus going to AJ and not BM. 

 

If we assume that due to harmony ruling themes of the show and the pony population not caring about gender related line distinction, then most likely Equestria would be Egalitarian. If this is the case then BM by being the oldest would probably be the formal head of the clan since oldest rule is the simplest to follow.

 

Now, due to the fact that BM is shy and AJ is a main character, either could be correct and simply the roles best suited for the pony are being displayed. 

AJ is outgoing and make for a good director, where BM leads from the sideline with his strength both physical as well as emotional since we see that for the most part he seem to be more level headed then AJ as well as possible a bit more deep and book smart if we can take AJ's comment about his math skills from ABS as fact. 

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

The Apple family probably works as a team to run Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack is a main character, so that's why she gets more spotlight. She also seems to be the most outgoing between her, Granny Smith, and Big Mac, so she probably is the face of Sweet Apple Acres in most of its business arrangements. Though Granny Smith does seem to be the one who interacts with Filthy Rich when selling their Zap Apple Jam, so I'm just going to stick with the team effort answer in the end.

 

This. I wouldn't say AJ is "in charge" of Sweet Apple Acres as such, I think it's run by the family together as a joint enterprise thing, maybe like a worker's co-operative in that the family decide amongst themselves what they intend to do with the business and perhaps vote on important matters if need be.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Archi the Atmomancer

[Thespian 78]

I see it as Big Mac is the work/muscle around the farm, while applejack does the actual selling in town and away business matters. Sure they could switch roles, but big mac is stronger, and applejack is more sociable. Granny Smith just cant buck apples or get around like she used to and applebloom is still a filly.

[Shanks 10,811]

I see it as Big Mac is the work/muscle around the farm, while applejack does the actual selling in town and away business matters. Sure they could switch roles, but big mac is stronger, and applejack is more sociable. Granny Smith just cant buck apples or get around like she used to and applebloom is still a filly.

Applejack is very much the public face of Sweet Apple Acres but I think Big Mac is also heavily in involved in the business side of things maybe not actively selling it but Applejack did mention his skills with "fancy mathematics" which implies that he may be responsible for the finances at Sweet Apple Acres. Granny Smith is likely also involved in certain business related aspects, especially if it involves Filthy Rich. Granny Smith is viewed by some as a tad senile but I think she is a bit sharper that she is often given credit for.

[Ianpiersonjdavis 512]

Well, Big Mac is not very social-so he may just delegate those duties to AJ, knowing that she's more comfortable with them, and based on her line in "Applebuck Season" about his 'fancy mathematics' it's probably safe to assume that in addition to helping out with physical labor-he may also help a great deal with finances (still waters run deep, after all.)

 

EDIT: Whoops, I guess someone beat me to the first point while I was typing.

 

Granny Smith has quite a bit of wisdom and experience with the Zap Apples, but I don't think her expertise is solely limited to that area as she has literally been working on a farm since the founding of Ponyville.

 

Applebloom also appears to try and help out when she can.

 

So while AJ may be the 'face' of Sweet Apple Acres, I feel like it's more of a team effort than an operation being run by a single individual. 

Edited July 24, 2014 by Ianpiersonjdavis

[A goat 323]

Big mac is too quiet and granny smith is too old, it'd make sense for applejack to take over because she isnt any of those things.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,282]

Yes, Applejack is more open than her brother, but usually family run businesses are passed to the first born, which in this case is Big Mac. What's your theory? (and before someone brings it up, yes, I know that the original idea was for Big Mac to run the farm)

You're forgetting something. Equestria has a Matriarchal society. Who's to say that it isn't the first born DAUGHTER that inherits the family business?  

 

Celestia help us when Diamond Tiara takes over her daddy's company!

Edited July 25, 2014 by cuteycindyhoney

[AlbaTross 1,581]

I don't think Applejack solely runs Sweet Apple Acres. As others have put it, I think it's either a joint effort by AJ and Big Mac, or all four family members share equally in it. Another possibility is that it's still Granny Smith's farm, till she croaks. AJ is better suited to public relations than Big Mac, as well as Granny Smith at this point, and Applebloom's still young, so that may be why it seems like she's in charge.

[Lighting Star 93]

I seem to think Equestria has (or used to have) a matriarchal structure when it comes to families and government. And it wouldn't surprise me that the Apples are old fashioned

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

Well, her parents are dead, and granny smith is far to old to do most of the manual labor required to run a farm. And since Big Mac is the "strong silent" type you do not really see him managing things in as outgoing a way as AJ, but in TT123, you do see him making a business deal with the father of diamond tiara, so he must assist in smaller facets, as AJ cannot single handily run everything while also saving the world.

[Cwanky 17,443]

Truth of the matter is, Applejack doesn't run Sweet Apple Acres; the immediate Apple family does, meaning Applejack, Big MacIntosh and Granny Smith. If you've ever watched the show enough, you'd know that the dynamics of the Apple Family and its politics, ie arguing, hierarchy and whatnot, heavily shape and influence reflects in turn on how the farm is ran.

 

Being the most senior member of the Apple Family there, Granny Smith has a lot of influence and deference out of respect in how she manages the farm, even if her role at times seems just symbolic, she is often equally as vocal and active as the others.

 

Applejack seemingly takes the most direct role in being the de facto leader of the farm, managing the supplies, finances, relations, and the day to day stuff, but her role as we've seen is just as easily supplanted and undermined by Granny Smith and Big Mac.

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That leaves Big Mac. He may seem like the most low profile yessir people on the farm, but his authority shouldn't be undermined. In fact he's been shown to oversee and be responsible for at least half, if not more of all the work on the farm. Any time Applejack is gone or busy Big Mac is there to run the farm and manage lead. Just because he's not as outspoken doesn't mean he has any less influence on the farm.

 

Pinkie Apple Pie gives us a good idea about the relationship of authority with the Apple family. Truth is, there is no true leader, just several people, each with a lot of say.

[Vixor 80]

Because maybe she's the most qualified for the job, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with gender? I do think Big Mac helps equally though, and it's a team effort, as others have said.

 

 

You're forgetting something. Equestria has a Matriarchal society. Who's to say that it isn't the first born DAUGHTER that inherits the family business?  

 

Celestia help us when Diamond Tiara takes over her daddy's company!

The only thing Equestria can be confirmed to have is a matriarchal government, and even that is likely only in technicality due to definition. A matriarchal society is a much bigger claim, and is one that is merely headcanon, to put it bluntly. 

 

I will say that we have seen both genders in most positions in the show, and that is more indicative of egalitarianism. That being said, there is a basis for either headcanon, so whether or not you think it's matriarchal or egalitarian is just a matter of perspective, I suppose.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Vixor

[Jammo 986]

AJ I think it is more focused on the business side of things where as Mac is the muscle. He helps out a lot and I'm not saying Mac is dumb but I don't see him as a leader. He's very shy and I think he would rather take orders than give them. No one is a better one to represent her farm and her business than Applejack.

 

It has nothing to do with gender, they've shown plenty of successful male ponies. It has to do with how their character types fall into place.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Jammo

[Silver Letter 1,830]

Applejack is the best suited for running the farm due to her intelligence, strength, charisma, and age. She is probably meant to be the head of the family anyway.

[Red Cedar 1,406]

I think Sweet Apple Acres is jointly run by the entire family. Applejack's just been the most visible because she's a Mane 6 character.

 

I doubt Applejack's parents would have wanted any of their children left to fend for themselves, so I imagine that the farm is also jointly owned by Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom. Either that, or it is still held by Granny Smith, since she's the surviving daughter of the farm's original owner, but in that case I can't imagine her not leaving the farm to all three of them, either.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,151]

Well, I can't say she runs it by herself. I mean yeah she handles a LOT on her own, but that's kinda the problem. She needs someone like Big Mac to share the load so she doesn't overwhelm and burn herself out.

 

Big Mac just prefers to stay in the background and make sure everything runs smoothly while AJ handles things like business and all that stuff.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,282]

Because maybe she's the most qualified for the job, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with gender? I do think Big Mac helps equally though, and it's a team effort, as others have said.

 

 

The only thing Equestria can be confirmed to have is a matriarchal government, and even that is likely only in technicality due to definition. A matriarchal society is a much bigger claim, and is one that is merely headcanon, to put it bluntly. 

 

I will say that we have seen both genders in most positions in the show, and that is more indicative of egalitarianism. That being said, there is a basis for either headcanon, so whether or not you think it's matriarchal or egalitarian is just a matter of perspective, I suppose.

Wow. make a humorous comment, and get shot down by someone taking it much too seriously!

[Vixor 80]

Wow. make a humorous comment, and get shot down by someone taking it much too seriously!

Ah, I apologize if you were merely trying to be humorous, as it appeared entirely serious to me. Or at least, the part that I disagreed with did.

 

I can see that Diamond Tiara getting her fathers business would indeed be a truly terrifying thing however, haha. Then again, maybe she'd be good with managing business. 

Edited July 26, 2014 by Vixor

[sweetolebob18 724]

I've posted about this before (in Mane 6 Ages).  IMO AJ is about 26 (& the oldest of the Mane 6).  She doesn't exactly run the farm, it's more she gives that impression because she has a very forceful personality.

 

Still, I'd like to see an episode acknowledging the fact that Big Mac keeps things going when she is off adventuring w Twilight & the others.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

Big Mac does more of the strenuous labor like plowing and Applejack collects apples and does the financial end of the business.