Jay LaJoie
VAN BUREN — Jay LaJoie of Van Buren was elected to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee recently at the organization’s 44th annual meeting.
The only representative from Maine, he joins 10 others named during the annual event, held March 17 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
This will be his third year on the board as co-chairman of the new Industry Outreach Committee, and his first year on the Executive Committee. During 2014-2016, he was a member of the board’s Administrative Committee and on the Industry Communications and Policy Committee, which was reorganized as the Industry Outreach Committee.
LaJoie grew up on a farm and started growing his own crops in 2003 on the LaJoie family farm. His is 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. They grow russets, reds, whites, yellows and blue potatoes primarily for chip stock, but also for frozen processing, seed and table stock. The farm also produces beets for the fresh and chip market, along with other miscellaneous vegetables and small grains.
“I am very passionate about the industry’s potential,” LaJoie said. “Our farm often implements the latest technology in farming, and we continue to improve our farming practices to promote environmental health.
“Agriculture is changing fast in ways of farming practices and technology. It is important to sell the fact that the potato itself is not only healthy, but the way it’s grown contributes to a healthy environment,” he said.
LaJoie is a member of the Maine Potato Board, and serves on a seed breeding advisory committee. He was also a participant in the 2008 Potato Industry Leadership Institute. His past experience includes working for the USDA Farm Service Agency for two years in farm programs and loans. He is also a past president of the Central Aroostook Young Farmers organization.
“At this stage in my life, I am focused on improving my family business and putting our industry on the map,” LaJoie explained. “I enjoy researching new farming practices, rotation crops and potential markets for the crops in our region.
“LaJoie Growers is appreciative of the community in which it operates; we employ a local workforce that contributes greatly to our success. We appreciate the support we received from our local community and the State of Maine.”
LaJoie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Husson University in Bangor and an associate’s degree in agribusiness from Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
The LaJoie family farming operation was recognized as the 2010 Maine Potato Board Farm Family of the Year. In 2013, LaJoie Growers received a grant award through the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Farms for the Future program for its GPS and food safety initiatives.
LaJoie is married to Ashley LaJoie, and they have a 1-year-old daughter named Kathryn.
Others on the executive committee include Potatoes USA president and CEO, Blair Richardson. Elected along with LaJoie were: Jason Davenport of Arvin, Calif; Steve Gangwish, Kearney, Nev.; John Halverson, Arbyrd, Mo.; Karlene Hardy, Oakley, Idaho; Phil Hickman, Horntown, Va.; Carl Hoverson, Larimore, N.D.; Tim May, Imperial, Nev.; Chairman Mike Pink, Mesa, Wash.; Doug Poe, Connell, Wash.; and Chris Wada, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Potatoes USA is the marketing organization for the 2,500 commercial potato growers operating in the United States. It was originally established as the National Potato Promotion Board in 1971 by a group of potato growers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes.
