Michigan grower elected new National Potato Council president
Michigan grower Ben Sklarczyk has been elected 2026 president of the National Potato Council. Meet the executive committee.
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Michigan grower Ben Sklarczyk has been elected to serve as National Potato Council (NPC) president for the next 12 months.
Sklarczyk was installed with the rest of the 2026 executive committee Feb. 23 at NPC’s Washington Summit.
Sklarczyk, a third-generation grower, owns Sklarczyk Seed Farm, a hydroponic seed potato operation in Johannesburg, with his wife, 2019 Spudwoman of the Year and Potatoes USA board member Alison Sklarczyk. Ben Sklarczyk purchased the family business 10 years ago from his father, Don Sklarczyk, who served as NPC president in 2007.
Ben Sklarczyk initially pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University before graduating from Michigan State University in 2003 with a degree focused on agriculture.
Sklarczyk has been involved with NPC since the early 2000s and joined its board in 2010. His decade of service on the executive committee included roles as first vice president, vice president of grower outreach and industry research, vice president of environmental affairs and vice president of finance.
“Our 2026 agenda will focus on capitalizing on new federal dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices for U.S. potatoes globally and removing non-tariff trade barriers,” Sklarczyk said. “I also want to emphasize the importance of grower engagement with state and federal representatives to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in policy making.”
The NPC executive committee roster:
Ben Sklarczyk initially pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Western Michigan University before graduating from Michigan State University in 2003 with a degree focused on agriculture.
Sklarczyk has been involved with NPC since the early 2000s and joined its board in 2010. His decade of service on the executive committee included roles as first vice president, vice president of grower outreach and industry research, vice president of environmental affairs and vice president of finance.
“Our 2026 agenda will focus on capitalizing on new federal dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices for U.S. potatoes globally and removing non-tariff trade barriers,” Sklarczyk said. “I also want to emphasize the importance of grower engagement with state and federal representatives to ensure the industry’s voice is heard in policy making.”
The NPC executive committee roster:
- President: Ben Sklarczyk (Johannesburg, Michigan)
- First vice president and vice president, legislative affairs: Dean Gibson (Paul, Idaho)
- Vice president, environmental affairs: Chris Olsen (Othello, Washington)
- Vice president, finance: Greg Harris (Boardman, Oregon)
- Vice president, grower outreach and industry research: TJ Hall (Hoople, North Dakota)
- Vice president, trade affairs: Brett Jensen (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
- Immediate past president: Ted Tschirky (Pasco, Washington)