Spudman

New Direction

I never back down from an opportunity to make myself better. So, when I was offered the position to take over as managing editor of Spudman, I couldn’t say no.

So, here I am – about five months into this new position and finally putting together my first whole issue of Spudman. I was here to oversee our September/October issue, which was the Buyers’ Guide. But this November/December issue marks the first time I’ve been able to really talk to people in the potato industry and hear their stories.

I’ve been working at Great American Publishing for around a year and a half. I started here as an editorial intern the summer after I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with degrees in journalism and anthropology. I soon was hired to a permanent position as a staff writer and have moved up to the managing editor position for The Fruit Growers News and The Vegetable Growers News. It’s been a great journey. And adding Spudman to my roster of responsibilities seemed like a perfect next step.

Though I am, admittedly, very new to the potato industry, I am no stranger to agriculture or the hard work that goes along with it. I was born and raised on my family’s tree fruit farm in Northern Michigan. My dad and grandfather grow cherries and apples on about 175 of the most beautiful acres of land I’ve ever set my feet on – though perhaps I am a bit biased.

My childhood memories are marked with long days on the farm and many missed vacations. And though I hated all the work I had to do as a kid, I am now realizing just how blessed I was. I don’t know many other people besides farm kids who truly know the value of a good, long day of work. And not everyone can appreciate the whole process of producing something – from start to finish.
Working in publishing is kind of like that. We start with these story ideas that we work with – interview after interview, sentence after sentence – until we come out with this whole magazine that we watched grow from the first word.

I know I picked the right career because I’m able to combine my love of writing and my love of agriculture into this package that allows me to visit farms and get to know growers even though I’m not one myself.

And I’d like to get to know as many potato growers as I can. So, let’s talk about your farm or the issues that concern you as a potato grower. Please call me, e-mail me or write me so I can learn all I can about this industry. And look for me at the upcoming meetings and trade shows – I’ll be the new person asking all the questions.

I can be reached at (616) 887-9008, ext. 110 or editor@spudman.com. You can write me at Spudman Magazine, Attn: Kimberly Warren, P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345.

Originally posted Saturday, Apr. 7, 2007