Contact:
Timothy Hobbs, Director of
Development/Grower Relations
Maine Potato Board
744 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
(207) 769-5061
Maine
Potato Board Announces
Young
Farmer of the Year
(Presque Isle) – The Maine Potato
Board has announced their 2003 Young Farmer of the Year Award. Ronald Barnes of Fort Fairfield has been
named Young Farmer of the Year. Ronald
Barnes and his wife Megan grow 236 acres of seed potatoes.
A grower for just over a decade,
Barnes attributes his success to good rotation practice and growing early
generation seed. He is proud of a
hard-earned reputation as a quality seed grower. Over the last ten years, Barnes has made storage improvements and
upgraded equipment for field operations.
He hopes to advance future productivity and reduce labor costs. “It is getting more difficult to find enough
labor to plant and harvest crops,” explained Barnes. “I would like to be able to continually upgrade my operation with
the new technology that is available and not fall behind the times.”
Barnes is concerned about Maine receiving more of its fair
share of the marketplace. He says that growers put hard work into maintaining
good quality. “When the product reaches
its final destination, the receiver of Maine potatoes should say to themselves
that quality potatoes planted will deliver a good yielding and marketable
product,” said Barnes.
In addition to managing a successful farming operation,
Barnes is active in many civic and industry related activities. Ronald Barnes is a past Treasurer and
current member of the Fort Fairfield Fish & Game Club, and member of the
Lions Club. He also provides a regular
field trip destination for the local Pre-K programs during harvest.
Timothy Hobbs, Director of Development/Grower
Relations for the Maine Potato Board, expressed the
Board’s congratulations to the family.
“Ron has shown success through attention to quality and sound business
practices.” Hobbs said. “We believe the
Barnes family is a fine example of a successful future in the Maine potato
industry.”
If you would like more information on Maine’s Young Farmer of the
Year, please contact Timothy Hobbs at (207) 769-5061 or visit the Maine Potato
Board’s web site at www.mainepotatoes.com.
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