b'The City Boy Seed GrowerTony Kirkland may not have grown up on a farm, but he fell in love with the life and has made a career of potato seed growing. BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONGROWING UP IN North Vancouver, B.C. Tony Kirkland never expected to become a farmer. He did like working outside with his hands, which led him to work in construction. However, when he was laid off, he found himself moving east to Alberta for work.I got myself a job in a warehouse and worked there for six years, met my wife there and got married in 1986. (She was from) a farming family, Kirkland says in a phone interview. I went down there to help them out at harvest time. And I thought you know what, I quite like this. So, I quit my job, and I started working for them.Kirklands wife, Susanne, came from a family that managed a grain farm, whereas his sister-in-law, Hazel Dandeneau, owned a potato farm. Kirkland found himself more interested in the potato side of operations and decided to work there in 1991 after leaving the warehouse. Over the years, the farm expanded. At the start it was a fresh potato farm and Kirkland worked with Dandeneau and her brother Jack Robinson. In 1996, they switched to seed potato production. In 2000, Kirkland built two greenhouses to expand into mini tuber production and at that time the farm in Spruce Grove, Alta. was incorporated under the name Sandhills Seed Potatoes Ltd. In 2006, Dandeneau and Kirkland bought out Robinson from his share of the farm.Once I got involved in the potatoes, that was amazing to me. It was just another challenge, Kirkland says. Starting out right fromThe team at Sandhills Seed Potatoes Ltd. (L-R) Cody Kirkland,the bottom, growing mini tubers and going up, I loved it. You getErin OBrien, Hazel Dandeneau and Tony Kirkland. up at five oclock in the morning and you work in the greenhouse,PHOTO: SANDHILLS SEED POTATOESand then you go to work on the potato farm. There was just nothingFor Kirkland, he has found himself wanting to serve on these better. boards to tell the story for the seed industry. He works to make sure Kirkland became involved in the wider potato community asthe priorities and needs of the seed industry are being considered well. He sits on the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada seedboth when seed specific policies are being made and when policies potato committee and is on the board of directors for the Potatoare being made about the potato industry as a whole. Growers of Alberta (PGA).Hes one of the pioneers, one of the leaders (of the Alberta potato Kirkland brings great value (to our board)he brings a lot ofseed industry). Hes willing to spend time with people that ask, wisdom, Terence Hochstein, PGA executive director, explains in apoliticians, anybody that will ask a question about the seed industry, phone interview. Quite often Ill hear him say, Think about the bigTony will spend the time to explain it to them, Hochstein says. picture. Dont think of the now, dont think of the problem or theAs Kirkland looks toward the future, he is now working with his situation right in front of you. Think of the big picture. Think aboutson Cody Kirkland and niece Erin OBrien on the farm. Hes proud tomorrow, three years, five years, 10 years down the road. To me,of what his family has accomplished building the seed farm and is thats a sign of a good leader. thankful to see it carry on with the next generation. 32SPUDSMART.COMWinter 2024'