Colorado grower elected new president of National Potato Council

Fourth-generation Colorado potato grower Bob Mattive has been elected president of the National Potato Council for 2024. The NPC installed its 2024 executive committee this week at the organization’s annual Washington Summit.

Mattive, of Monte Vista, Colo., is a partner of Worley Family Farms in Monte Vista. He most recently served as NPC’s first vice president and vice president of environmental affairs.

“I’ve always been interested in environmental issues and legislative affairs,” Mattive, who serves on several Colorado agricultural committees and boards, said in a news release. “I’ve learned a lot and I know we have to work hard and work together to keep relevant, educate the next generation, and continue advocating on behalf of our growers and industry partners.”

Mattive and his wife Gail (Worley) were invited by Gail’s father to join Worley Family Farms in 1982, when the operation raised about 500 acres of potatoes. Today, the farm raises around 1,900 acres of potatoes and 2,000 acres of other crops.

“As with most industries, technology has become a large part of our organization,” Mattive said. “We irrigate all of our acreage with computerized center pivot irrigation systems and utilize GPS operating systems in most of our tractors and other equipment.”

The NPC 2024 Washington Summit, held Feb. 25-March 1, provided a forum for potato industry members to discuss, define and advocate for the policy priorities affecting their businesses.

Industry stakeholders took the results from a new economic impact study, “The Current and Potential Impact of Expanded Potato Exports,” to members of Congress and the administration to advocate for issues such as keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements, and protecting tax policies that support the long-term health of family-owned farming operations.

The 2024 NPC executive committee roster:

• President: Bob Mattive, Monte Vista, Colorado.
• First vice president and vice president, trade affairs: Ted Tschirky, Pasco, Washington.
• Vice president, legislative affairs: Dean Gibson, Paul, Idaho.
• Vice president, environmental affairs: Ben Sklarczyk, Johannesburg, Michigan.
• Vice president, finance and office procedures: TJ Hall, Hoople, North Dakota.
• Vice president, grower outreach and industry relations – Chris Olsen, Othello, Washington.
• Immediate past president – RJ Andrus, Idaho Falls, Idaho.