Irving & Marr Farms named McCain Champion grower

    PRESQUE ISLE — Irving & Marr Farms of Washburn has been named the 2007 McCain Foods Champion Potato Grower for Aroostook County.
    The McCain top 10 potato growers were recognized Aug. 23 at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at The Forum in Presque Isle.     Irving & Marr Farms is owned by Steve Marr and Robbie Blackstone, who earned the Top Grower award by placing first in both the field direct and grower refrigerated storage contract divisions. They grow about 500 acres of potatoes and corresponding rotation crops. Irving & Marr Farms has been growing potatoes for McCain Foods since 2000. This is the third time the operation has been on the top 10 list and the first time as the Champion Grower.
    The owners of the farm were presented with a personal trophy and a check toward a trip of their choice for two.
    McCain Foods determines the top 10 growers by monitoring the processing quality of potatoes delivered to its Easton plant. A sample from each load is tested for quality factors such as size, defect level and color. Delivery date is also assessed and a point value is assigned.
    In the category of delivery field direct, Griffeth Farms claimed top spot and has been working with McCain Foods over the last 12 years. This was their second time on the top 10 list after receiving the Champion Grower award last year.
    Second place in this category was B.D. Grass & Sons and third was Gendreau Farms.
    The top grower for winter storage delivery went to a father and son operation, Gaylen and Brent Flewelling. This was their 10th time on the top grower list including three times as the champion grower.
    Second place in this category was Porter Farms (Richard, Rick, and Matthew Porter) and third was Doug and Jeffrey Blackstone.
    In the refrigerated storage category, top grower was a two brother operation, Bruce and Brandon Roope. This is the ninth time they have been on the top 10 list with two champion awards. Second place went to Guerrette Farms Corp. and third place to Good Farms, Inc.
    Each top 10 grower was honored with a cash award of $1,000 and were presented with an engraved plaque in recognition of their accomplishment.
    Among the guests invited to the barbecue were Sen. Roger Sherman of Hodgdon, Henry Joy of Island Falls, Rep. Jackie Lundeen of Mars Hill, and Rep. Jeremy Fischer of Presque Isle. Agricultural Bargaining Director Vern Delong was also in attendance.
    McCain personnel on hand to congratulate the top 10 growers were Dan Paradis, plant manager, McCain Foods Easton; Bart Bradbury, field department manager; Jim Clark and Barry Wolverton from the Field Department.
    Master of ceremonies for the evening was Bradbury, who was assisted by Maine Potato Blossom Queen Katie Smith, Junior Miss Maine Potato Blossom Hannah Hebert, and Little Miss Maine Potato Blossom Molly Anthony.