PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Continuing a nearly 30-year tradition, the Maine Potato Board is looking for nominations for the 2018 Young Farmer of the Year Award.
Jay LaJoie of Van Buren is the current Young Farmer of the Year. He began growing his own crops in 2003 on the LaJoie family farm, a fifth-generation farm established in Cyr Plantation in 1868. In 2007 he and his family formed LaJoie Growers, LLC, of which he is a co-owner and farm business manager.
The Young Farmer nominee should: be 40 years of age or younger; have outstanding farming practices; show growth and advancements in their farming operation; show leadership within the industry; be involved in Maine Potato Board activities; display willingness to explore new methods, technologies, and advancements in the potato industry; and participate in the local community, church, and other civic groups.
The recipient of this award will attend the Potato Industry Leadership Institute and be recognized at the MPB Annual Meeting in July 2018.
Jay LaJoie (Contributed)
To make a nomination, email: Jeannie Tapley at jtapley@mainepotatoes.com or call the Maine Potato Board at 769-5061. All nominations must be received in the Maine Potato Board office on or before Sept. 1.
Previous Young Farmers of the Year have included: 1989, Brandon Roope of Presque Isle; 1990, Daniel Deveau, Van Buren; 1991, Philip Kilcollins, Fort Fairfield; 1992, Daniel Corey, Monticello; 1993, Andrew McGlinn, Caribou; 1994, Seth Bradstreet III, Newport; 1995, Scott Keirstead, Presque Isle; 1996, Keith Doyen, Mapleton; 1997, Keith Labrie, St. Agatha; 1998 – Kendall Shaw, Fort Fairfield; 1999, Brent and Neil Grass, Mars Hill; 2000, Brian Lavertu, St. David; 2001.
Also, Kyle Blackstone, Caribou; 2002, Paul Lagerstrom, Presque Isle; 2003, Ronald Barnes, Fort Fairfield; 2004, Dominic LaJoie, Van Buren; 2005 – Matthew Portee, Washburn; 2006, Trevor Michaud, Limestone ; 2007, Alan Moir, Woodland; 2008, Randy Leavitt, Fort Fairfield; 2009, Gregg Garrison, Mars Hill; 2011, Brandon Berce, St. Agatha; 2012, Shawn Doyen, Mapleton; 2013, Sara Corey, Monticello; 2014 and Robert Irving, Caribou; 2016, Ryan Crane, Exeter.
