Presque Isle Rotary Club members were updated Feb. 12 on the potato industry in Maine during a regular luncheon meeting at the Northeastland Hotel.
Tim Hobbs, the Maine Potato Board’s director of development and grower relations, gave the address. He has been with the MPB for five years and was the former executive director of the Soil and Water Conservation District and owner of the former Brown’s Jewelry Store in Presque Isle.
The Potato Board was created by the Legislature in 1986 and is charged with research, education and promotion of Maine potatoes. It is a grower-funded organization with a budget of over $1 million — $650,000 of that is made up by a 5 cent, self imposed tax on every hundred weight of potatoes sold in Maine. Another $150,000 is raised by participating in the Big E/Springfield fair where Maine baked potatoes are sold with all the fixings. This is a budget booster but also a marketing tool, Hobbs said.
MPB staff and directors work work closely with the Maine Legislature as well as the federal side to ensure growers’ needs are heard. They work on issues ranging from global warming, to water issues and irrigation, environmental protection and good stewardship of the land. They also collaborate with other natural resource groups like Sportsman Alliance of Maine, forest product industry, small woodlot owners, lobstermen, blueberry industry, snowmobile association which all have an interest in traditional Maine industries.
Hobbs reported that Maine grows about 58,500 acres of potatoes and about 90 percent of those are grown in Aroostook County. The yield last year was about 315 bags/acre. Maine is mostly a processing industry with potatoes now with about 18 percent being seed potatoes and 15 percent being table stock potatoes. About 30,000 acres are grown just for McCain Foods, the largest purchaser of Maine potatoes. Maine is sixth in the nation for acreage and there are about 380 growers in Maine.
The MPB also works on marketing issues to better promote the Maine potato which is a very healthy food choice. They are doing ad campaigns throughout Maine and continue to work on better marketing the agricultural industry in Maine and the importance of the industry to the economy.
Hobbs of the Maine Potato Board can be reached at 769-5061 or hobbs@mainepotatoes.com. To learn more about our farming culture in Maine and Aroostook County visit www.mainepotatoes.com
In other club business, “mystery” Rotarian for the week was Steve Richard and his favorite charity was the Occupational Training Center who will have $50 sent in his name from the PI Rotary.
The newest members are Dan Bagley and Jay Trainer. There was no meeting on Monday, Feb. 19 due to the President’s Day holiday. Rotarian Bob Grove-Markwood will speak on world peace and understanding at the Feb. 26 meeting.
