McCain awards Top 10 Growers
Easton’s Flewelling Farms is champion
EASTON, ME — The McCain Top 10 Potato Growers were recognized at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at the Aroostook County Shriners’ Club in Presque Isle on Aug 25. Almost 300 guests gathered to celebrate the top growers and their achievements.
Contributed photos
TOP 10 GROWERS — McCain Foods recently honored the Top 10 Growers during the annual grower barbecue in Presque Isle. From left are, front row, Aaron Ayer, Artie Ayer, Matt Griffeth, John Griffeth, Jerry Flewelling, Bruce Flewelling, Duane Theriault, Ryan Guerrette, Nick Guerrette and Jake Whitten. Back row, Chairman of McCain Foods Limited Allison McCain, McCain Foods Director of Agriculture North America David Good, Chris Hagan, Mike Hagan, Jamie Hagan, Scott Ayotte, Steve Griffeth, Jim Clark, John Griffeth, Bryan Bell, Kramer Bell, Barry Wolverton, Brian Guerrette, Barry Wolverton, Ronald Guerrette, Corey Guerrette, McCain Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney, Senior Field Rep. Brianne O’Leary, Vice President Integrated Supply Chain for North America Dale McCarthy, McCain Vice President of Agriculture North America Christine Wentworth, Sam Delano and Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury.
CHAMPION GROWER — Flewelling Farms of Easton was named McCain Champion Grower during the annual grower barbecue in Presque Isle. At the event are, from left, front row, McCain Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury; Champion Growers Jerry Flewelling, Bruce Flewelling and Valorie Flewelling; and Field Department Scheduler Barry Wolverton. Back row, Director of Agriculture North America David Good, Chairman of McCain Foods Limited Allison McCain, VP of Agriculture North America Christine Wentworth, VP of Integrated Supply Chain North America Dale McCarthy and Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney.
Flewelling Farms of Easton was named the McCain Champion Grower. Champion grower selection is based on the highest standing quality of three delivery categories: field direct delivery, winter storage delivery and refrigerated storage. To attain the position of champion, Flewelling Farms placed third in the grower storage category and third in refrigerated storage.
Flewelling Farms have been growing potatoes for McCain Foods since the company took over the Easton factory in 1976. Bruce Flewelling said he was surprised to receive the award and owed the farms’ success to a lot of hard work, dedicated employees, and a progressive approach that includes trying innovative practices and making smart decisions.
Allison McCain, Chairman of McCain Foods Limited, was on hand to extend personal congratulations to the Flewelling family and all of the McCain growers.
In his address to the group, McCain shared that the U.S. and world markets are back in a growth trend, which is good news for the business, and said this is an exciting time for agriculture with many technologies are coming into the system.
Other McCain personnel on hand to congratulate the growers included Dale McCarthy, vice president of integrated supply chain for McCain North America; Christine Wentworth, vice president of agriculture, North; David Good, director of agriculture; Leigh Morrow, director of agronomy, North America East; Yves Leclerc, director of agronomy, North America; Germain Pinette, director of manufacturing, east; Dave McKenney, Easton plant manager; and Bart Bradbury, field department manager.
Other special guests included Walter Whitcomb, commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and Ellis Additon, director of Animal and Plant Health.
Rounding out the Top 10 Growers were the following:
In the category of field direct delivery, Pelletier Farms of St. David (Adrian and Ken Pelletier) claimed the top spot. Second place went to Ayer Potato Company of Caribou (Artie and Aaron Ayer) and third place went to Theriault Farms of St. Agatha (Gerard, Duane, and Glen Theriault).
In the winter storage delivery category, first place was awarded to Bell Farms of Mars Hill (Bryan and Kramer Bell). Second place went to G&M Farms of Limestone (Gilles and Trevor Michaud). Third place was awarded to Ayotte Farms of Hamlin (Scott and Eric Ayotte).
In the refrigerated storage category, first place was awarded to Guerrette Farms Corp. of Caribou (Ryan, Brian, and Andy). Second place went to Triple G Sales of Limestone (John, Matt and Steve Griffeth, along with their father, John Griffeth). Third place went to Hagan Farms (Mike, Chris and Jamie Hagan of Houlton).
Each Top Ten Grower received a cash award of $1,000 and a plaque in recognition of their accomplishment.
