Aug 31, 2021Potato Sustainability Alliance announces Mesko as new leader
The Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) announced Aug. 31 that John Mesko has taken over as its executive director.
Mesko has an extensive and diverse agriculture background, including agronomic sales and service, information management, university education, farming and nonprofit leadership. His most recent position was as senior director of the Soil Health Partnership.
Mesko grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Minnesota, where he gained a passion for farming and tremendous respect for farmers. After graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor’s in agronomy and a master’s in agricultural economics, his diverse career in agriculture has centered around helping farmers become more financially and environmentally sustainable.
He brings expertise in engaging farmers, and the food and farming value chain in understanding and implementing sustainable farming practices, as well as documenting and demonstrating sustainability improvements along the way.
“I like the potential PSA has to make a real difference in the way we think about farm and food sustainability,” Mesko said through a press release. “So much good work has already been done in setting up the organization, I’m grateful to be joining PSA at this exciting time.”
The board of directors of the PSA is currently composed of representatives from the following membership sectors:
- Growers
- Processors
- Fresh Packers
- Buyers
- Agribusiness Companies
RELATED: PSA formed to expand on industry’s sustainability initiative
“As an organization committed to working with the potato industry to document and support sustainable crop production, we look forward to working with John,” said PSA board chair John MacQuarrie, the director of environmental sustainability at Cavendish Farms. “He brings a wealth of experience in the field of sustainable food production and he will be a great asset to the Potato Sustainability Alliance.”
Mesko can be reached at [email protected] or 763-260-0209.
