b'INDUSTRYNEWSPEOPLE NEWS than 300 guests were invited to celebrate the 2018 growing season and recognize Ivan Noonan Receives Certificate of Appreciation from UPGC the top 10 growers and their achievements.Ivan Noonan was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation as a founding co- The 20182019 Champion Grower Award was earned by Lajoie Farms of Cyr chair of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC), which was formed in 2006.Plantation. They have been growing potatoes for McCain since the development of He was presented with the certificate of appreciation by UPGC chairman, Raythe company. Field manager Bart Bradbury estimates they have hauled close to Keenan, in Charlottetown in August. 60,000 truckloads of potatoes just for McCain in their 40-plus years of collabora-Before his retirement, Noonan was the general manager of the P.E.I. Potatotion. Mike and Phil Lajoie have decided to move into retirement and have ended Board from 1994 to 2008 and then general manager of Food Trust P.E.I., beforetheir farming career with a lot to be proud of.he fully retired this year from Mid-Isle Farms. Noonan was a driving force behind many initiatives that have been beneficial for the continued success of the potato industry. One of these was the formation of the UPGC. Clement Lalancette Recognized by UPGCClement Lalancette recently retired as a founding director of the UPGC, which was formed in 2006. He was presented with a certificate of appreciation by UPGC McCain Foods Recognizes Toner Produce Ltd. As Champion Grower chairman, Ray Keenan, in Quebec City in July. Lalancette is recognized for his out-Toner Produce Ltd. of Grand Falls, N.B., was named the 20182019 McCainstanding leadership and dedication to the Canadian potato industry as a director Champion Potato Grower for Grand Falls during the 45th Annual McCain Growersof UPGC representing the Quebec Potato Producers Association.Banquet held Aug. 20. This year, approximately 170 guests gathered at Centre E. &Lalancette was the general manager of the Quebec Potato Producers Associ-P. Senechal in Grand Falls, N.B., to celebrate the top growers and to recognize theiration and a strong proponent for Quebec growers. His focus was always on better hard work over the past year. returns, improved profitability, and producer sustainability. UPGC and the potato Luc Gervais, Tommy Toner and Jessica Toner were delighted to be announced asindustry wish him well in his retirement.the Champion Grower. They have been contracting with McCain for 24 years, held the top 10 position 11 times, and have been named Champion Grower twice. The Toners were very proud to receive this honour in recognition of their efforts. They were looking forward to bringing the trophy to their staff to demonstrate the hardHZPC Americas Grows with New Employeeswork done by everyone on the farm does not go unnoticed. Over the last two years, HZPC has built a new business development team for the North American market. Led by Jeff Scramlin, this team focuses efforts in the food service and retail sectors. The existing HZPC Americas operations team in Char-lottetown, P.E.I., successfully produces, sells, and licences HZPC potato varieties in McCain Foods Recognizes Guest Farms Ltd. As Champion Grower the United States and Canada. Guest Farms Ltd. of Holmesville, N.B., was named the 20182019 McCainRecently, a corporate decision was made to merge the functionalities of both Champion Potato Grower for Florenceville-Bristol during the 46th Annual McCainteams. Effective Sept. 1, Scramlin became the managing director of the combined Growers Banquet held Aug. 22. This year, approximately 200 guests gathered atHZPC Americas team, while manager Fred Koops will continue to strengthen servic-Northern Carleton Civic Center in Florenceville-Bristol to celebrate the top growerses for and partnerships with the key clients of HZPC Americas. and to recognize their hard work over the past year. Douglas Picketts started in July as sales manager for the HZPC Americas Simon and Matthew Guest were thrilled to be announced as the Championoffice in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Picketts has been working for 10 years in interna-Grower. They have been contracting with McCain for 24 years, held the top 10tional sales and market development in the agricultural and financial industries. position once before, and this is their first time winning the Champion Grower title.Greg Meeker joined in August as director of business development. A 30-year When asked why he farms, Simon Guest gave a simple answer: its in his blood. Iprofessional chef, Meeker brings his food passion and culinary knowledge to drive live on the farm I grew up on, Simon explained, referring to his 250-acre farm.Ifood service growth. The HZPC Americas team now comprises 10 people working tried a few other things, but they just werent what I wanted to do. I always cametogether thru the entire potato value chain to serve clients in North America, both back to farming. directly and indirectly. HZPC is delighted to welcome both new team members.McCain Foods Recognizes Lajoie Farms WPC Announces New International AdvisorThe McCain Top 10 Potato Growers were recognized at the annual McCain GrowerThe World Potato Congress (WPC) is pleased to announce Mr. Lu, Xiaoping has Banquet at the Stone Ridge Event Center in Presque Isle, Maine, on Aug. 21. Moreaccepted the position to become the WPCS newest international advisor. Lu joined Did you know that SODIUMwillCOMPETEwithPOTASSIUM for plant uptake?64 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2019WWW.UAP.CA'