Potatoes have always been big business in Maine; however, the industry has not always shared a unified voice. Up through the mid-eighties, growers, processors, and dealers worked to support and promote the industry, but their efforts were fragmented.

In an attempt to bring all of the players in the potato industry together, the legislature created the Maine Potato Board in 1986. Today, as a result, the three sectors (growers, processors, and dealers) reap the benefits of strength in numbers and enjoy greater representation.

The mission of the Maine Potato Board is to provide a competitive environment for its growers, processors, and dealers creating both stability and the infrastructure for future growth, while promoting the economic importance to the state and quality of the product.

The organization delivers on this promise by advocating on behalf of potato growers on legislative issues, collaborating with strategic partners such as the University of Maine, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Maine Department of Agriculture, and many others to advance agriculture, marketing this industry so vital to Maine, and looking for value-added opportunities for growers – such as the potatoes to plastics initiative.

The Maine Potato Board leadership also does its best to act as the eyes and ears of growers, keeping tabs on the latest technologies and innovation, monitoring the industry on a national scale, and exploring and seizing opportunities that will position Maine to compete and win in an ever-changing, competitive agricultural landscape.

Potato production has a rich heritage in Maine and remains one of the top agricultural industries in the state today, delivering a surprisingly significant impact to the state’s overall economy. The impact ripples throughout the state, supporting jobs within the industry, in service to it, and even other sectors of the economy.

The Maine Potato Board was created in 1986 by an act of the Maine Legislature for the purpose of establishing a cohesive framework for effective leadership within the potato industry. The mission of the Maine Potato Board is to provide a competitive environment for Maine’s potato growers, processors, and dealers, and to create both stability and the infrastructure for future growth. The Board is an information and advisory resource for Maine’s potato growers, dealers, and processors, as well as the general public on all matters relating to potatoes in Maine.

     Don joined the Maine Potato Board 11 years ago, and for the last six years has served as executive director. During his tenure, he has helped transform the organization to better reflect the industry at large. “We’ve worked very hard to address federal and state issues and to have a positive impact,” said Don. He is perhaps most proud of shifting the Maine Potato Board’s core focus from marketing to creating an environment for potato growers to compete and win in the marketplace. While the Board continues promotional activities, these initiatives are in partnership with growers, dealers, and processors.

     Don still oversees proactive marketing efforts; however, he spends a tremendous amount of time and energy on legislative and regulatory issues such as plant health, transportation, and taxation, particularly at the state level. He also handles fiduciary responsibilities for the Maine Potato Board and works closely with the organization’s board of directors to continually advance Maine’s vital agricultural industry.

     Today, Tim remains heavily focused on environment issues (his passion), representing the Maine Potato Board in Augusta on issues ranging from air quality to soil conservation to integrated pest management to water quantity and water quality – always on behalf of growers.

     “One of the most effective ways I can help potato farmers is to act as their eyes and ears…to be on the lookout for potential obstacles and knock them down before they impede industry progress,” said Tim.

     And, help potato farmers, he does. In addition to thrusting his time and energy into policy work, Tim is always available for growers – to answer questions, offer advice, and help promote an industry so important to them and to the entire state of Maine.

     Furthermore, Tim works diligently to keep the potato farming community abreast of what’s going on nationally and to educate them on the latest and the greatest opportunities available to them. He is always looking for ways to position and advance Maine’s potato industry – to stay ahead of the competition and set the bar for excellence in agriculture.

744 Main Street, Room 1 • Presque Isle, Maine 04769 • T: 207.769.5061 F: 207.761.4148 • mainepotatoes.com

     Presque Isle, ME – Potatoes have long caught the attention of Mainers; however, their status is about to be elevated here and around the globe. The United Nations has declared 2008 “International Year of the Potato,” and the Maine Potato Board is expanding its marketing efforts as well. The humble spud is about to steal the limelight – and deservingly so.

     Potatoes can be grown quickly and on less land and in harsher climates than any other crop, giving them an edge when it comes to feeding the world’s rapidly growing population. “The potato is on the front line in the fight against world hunger and poverty,” said Jacques Diouf, the director-general of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

     Maine ranks about seventh or eighth in the nation in terms of production. In 2007, Maine growers planted on 57,000 acres, yielding 295 CWT (hundred weight) per acre, which adds up to about 1.6 billion pounds of potatoes.

     Moving forward, Maine is holding steadfast to a focus on quality, as well as advancing the positive and profound impact potatoes have on the state economically, naturally, and culturally. One way the Maine Potato Board is communicating this message is by building on an already solid marketing campaign.

     Coming off the heels of last year’s successful advertising efforts, which centered on economic development, the Maine Potato Board recently launched its latest print and radio campaign, called “Generations of Farming.”

     The objective of the campaign is to put a face on the potato industry, drawing attention to the many generations of families who have poured their hearts and souls into sustaining Maine’s farms and natural resources.

The Maine Potato Board has also ramped up its public relations efforts, generating fresh and powerful story ideas, introducing an online newsletter to keep people abreast of what’s going on in the industry.

     Efforts to elevate Maine potatoes don’t stop at the state line. Maine wants people nationwide to understand its historical and current contributions to the industry. Two Maine growers, in particular, will support national efforts. Keith Labrie, of St. Agatha, Maine, and Alan Moir, of Woodland, Maine, have both earned spots on the National Potato Promotion Board, strengthening Maine’s voice when it comes to touting potatoes. They join current USPB members from Maine, Tom Qualey and Steve Whited.

     There is also an opportunity for Mainers in general to support the state’s potato industry by buying Maine potatoes and value-added products. To find Maine potatoes, consumers should look for the Maine Quality Trademark – a blue, white, and red State of Maine trademark that is typically carried on all bags of Maine potatoes, even on private labels. Also, look for processed Maine potatoes by McCain Foods, Naturally Potatoes, and Penobscot Frozen Foods.

     There are about 380 potato growers in Maine, from Aroostook County to the western mountain region around Bethel and Fryeburg. The total impact of the potato industry on the state’s economy is $540 million in sales (direct and indirect combined), 6,100 jobs, $230 million in personal income, and $32 million in state and local taxes.

PR contacts:
Linda McCashion/US Potato Board, 303.873.2326, lindam@uspotatoes.com

Tim Hobbs/Maine Potato Board, 207.769.5061, hobbs@mainepotatoes.com

Angela Smith/Huard Marketing, 207.272.6894, angela@asmithconsultancy.com

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