UPGC General Manager Kevin MacIsaac to Retire this Fall

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Kevin MacIsaac, who has been the general manager of the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) for the past 10 years will retire this fall, the group says in a news release on Sept. 14.

“I was fortunate to have the life experience of being a farmer for 27 years — milking cows, growing cereal and protein crops and of course lots of potatoes. Just as rewarding was the opportunity to work for potato growers across Canada in the last decade, to bolster the concept of balanced supply and demand, and profitability to the grower members of the United Potato Growers of Canada,” MacIsaac says in the release.

MacIsaac has worked in the agriculture industry for 42 years at positions including being an extension agronomist, farmer, industry organizer and advocate, the release notes. He was hired by UPGC 10 years ago to increase its capacity for determining the available supply of potatoes for fresh, seed and processing markets.

He has been a well known participant on national and international potato organizations, and spoke at grower meetings across the country. One of the highlights of MacIsaac’s career with UPGC was the development of a strong, mutually respectful working relationship with the group’s counterparts — the United Potato Growers of America (UPGA).

MacIsaac’s work over the past decade leaves UPGC in good shape, the release notes. The group was funded in 2006 with the mission to provide timely information to allow growers to make informed production and marketing decisions. It works in tandem with its sister organization UPGA.

“We always appreciated the experience Kevin brought to the table, his knowledge of our industry and his ability to communicate with growers across the country were very strong attributes. In addition, he was a tireless promoter of our organization among our international partners and comrades, and raised UPGC’s profile with growers and other industry members. We thank him for all his work, and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Ray Keenan, UPGC chair, says in the release.

MacIsaac’s History in the Ag World

MacIsaac began his career in agriculture after graduating from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the University of Guelph. His first job was as an extension agronomist with the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, the release says.

Following his time in New Brunswick, his brother Blair and MacIsaac operated Lily Pond Farms Ltd. in Bear River, P.E.I., together. Over his time farming he was involved with many agriculture organizations including being chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, chair of the P.E.I. Soil and Crop Improvement Association and director of the P.E.I. Processing Committee.

MacIsaac plans to send more time with his six grandchildren in retirement. He also plans to continue his hobby of running, having qualified for the Boston Marathon next spring.

The release notes UPGC hopes to find a replacement for MacIsaac by this fall and is actively seeing applications. For more information contact [email protected]

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