May 14, 2019Potato industry leaders visit Northern Plains growers
National potato industry leaders got up close and personal with growers in North Dakota and Minnesota in early May.
The Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) hosted John Keeling, Kam Quarles and Mike Wenkel, all of the National Potato Council, as well as Potatoes USA CEO Blair Richardson and chairman Phil Hicks.
Their meetings included Keith McGovern, president of R.D. Offutt Farms, and North Dakota State University Extension Potato Agronomist Andy Robinson. The group visited Carl Hoverson Farm near Larimore, North Dakota, J.G. Hall & Sons (Hoople), Brad Nilson Farm (Hoople) and Campbell Farms (Grafton). The trip also included a stop at the Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council.
Ted Kreis and Donovan Johnson of the NPPGA help host the tour.
Keeling soon will retire as the National Potato Council’s CEO and executive vice president. Quarles will be the new CEO, while Wenkel will join the organization in a new chief operating officer position.
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