PRESQUE ISLE — The McCain top 10 potato growers were recognized at the annual McCain grower barbecue held Aug. 28 at the Aroostook County Shiners’ Club in Presque Isle. Almost 300 guests gathered to celebrate the top growers and their achievements.
Contributed photo
THE McCAIN TOP 10 GROWERS were honored Aug. 28 at the annual McCain grower barbecue in Presque Isle. Pictured are, from left, front row: Duane Theriault, Bob Theriault, Gaylen Flewelling, Duane LaBrie, Carson LaBrie, Keith LaBrie, Bruce Flewelling, Seth Williams, Carson Flewelling and Christine Wentworth, vice president of agriculture for McCain North America. Back row: Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury, Brent Bradley, McCain Foods Director of Agriculture North America David Good, Donald Fitzpatrick, Brianne O’Leary, Ken Pelletier, Barry Wolverton, Ryan Guerrette, Kramer Bell, Mason Turner, Neil Grass, Aaron Turner, Brian Bell, Brent Flewelling, Karter Bell and McCain Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney.
Champion grower selection is based on the highest standing quality of three delivery categories — field direct, winter storage and refrigerated storage. To attain the position of Champion Grower, the LaBrie family of St. Agatha delivered 99.7 percent first- and second-place color, 1.083 specific gravity, and 31 percent 10 ounce.
Christine Wentworth, vice president of agriculture for McCain North America, was on hand to extend personal congratulations to the LaBrie family and all of the McCain growers. In her address to the group, Wentworth noted how impressed she was with how the Maine potato industry has embraced the “Drive for 45,” which is an industry initiative that seeks to improve crop output. “The adoption rate and seriousness that the potato industry in Maine has shown to increase their yields deserves a standing ovation. We have to satisfy our consumers and become stronger as an industry, and increasing yields is an important part of what needs to be done.”
Other McCain personnel on hand to congratulate the growers included McCain Foods Director of Agriculture David Good, Director of Agronomy North America East Leigh Morrow, Director of Agronomy North America Yves Leclerc, Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney and Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury. Other special guests included Dave Lavway, deputy commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, as well as Don Flannery, Tim Hobbs and Steve Belyea from the Maine Potato Board.
The LaBrie family describes their operation as a fourth generation family farm that grows 500 acres of potatoes with half of their acreage under contract with McCain Foods. They also grow red and yellow potato varieties that are packed and shipped for the fresh tablestock market. Brothers Keith and Duane LaBrie have been farming since 1989 with guidance from their father, Danny.
Danny, who retired from the farming operation in 2010, was McCain’s first Grand Champion Grower in Maine for the 1976-77 growing season. Keith’s children, Jacob and Sylvia, have recently joined the farm and are the newest members of this multigenerational farm family.
In the category of field direct delivery, Duane Theriault of St. Agatha claimed the top spot. Also included in this farm operation is father, Bob, and brother, Glenn. Second place in this category went to Pelletier Farms (Adrian and Ken Pelletier of St. David) and third place went to BD Grass & Sons (Brent and Neil Grass of Blaine).
In the winter storage delivery category, first place was awarded to Gaylen and Brent Flewelling of Easton. Second place went to Aaron Turner Farms of Washburn, which also includes Seth Williams. Third place was awarded to Bell Brothers of Mars Hill. This father and sons team includes Brian, Kramer and Karter Bell.
In the refrigerated storage category, first place was awarded to Jerry and Bruce Flewelling of Easton. Second place went to Ryan, Bryan and Andy Guerrette of Caribou, and third place went to Donald and Toby Fitzpatrick of Houlton.
Each top 10 grower received a cash award of $1,000 and a plaque in recognition of their accomplishment.
In addition to the Top Grower awards, the annual McCain Environmental Award was also presented. The honor, intended to acknowledge and highlight the outstanding environmental performance of contract growers, was presented to Donald Fitzpatrick and son, Toby, for their significant efforts at improving their land base.
The 2012 Maine Potato Queens in attendance for the industry event included Maine Potato Queen Hannah Stoutamyer, Teen Miss Potato Queen Noelle Bailey, Junior Miss Potato Queen Yessenia Vilar, Pre-Teen Potato Queen Chloe Sleeper, and Little Miss Maine Potato Queen Rosalyn Buck.
