Mar 9, 2020McGovern joins Potato LEAF Foundation board
Keith McGovern, CEO of R.D. Offutt Farms, has joined the board of directors of the new Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (LEAF).
The creation of LEAF, which was announced in January, was made to ensure long-term funding to support the development of new leaders within the U.S. potato industry.
McGovern’s appointment comes just one week after the conclusion of this year’s Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) training, which brought together 24 outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of professional development. In the future, the Potato LEAF organization will fund PILI, scholarships, and other leadership development efforts for the industry.
McGovern joins board chair Shelley Olsen of LJ Olsen Inc., and members RJ Andrus of Idahoan Foods, Gregg Halverson of Black Gold Farms, Dan Moss of Moss Ag/Arrowhead Potato Co., and Richard Pavelski of Heartland Farms as a voting member of Potato LEAF. Non-voting directors include Kam Quarles, National Potato Council CEO, Blair Richardson, Potatoes USA CEO, and Shawn Boyle, Idaho Growers Shippers Association president and general counsel.
The organization also announced it has reached nearly $1.1 million in direct contributions and pledges, more than half of its $2 million goal for 2020. To support Potato LEAF with your tax-deductible contribution, visit www.pleaf.org.
