PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A large crowd was on hand March 22 for the 27th annual Maine Potato Board meeting at the Crow’s Nest. Hosted by MPB staff members Donald Flannery, executive director, and Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations, the evening began with a delicious buffet meal.
Flannery introduced the special guests and Board President Mark Tarr of Washburn introduced the 2013 board members and officers. Joining Tarr on the panel are: Brandon Roope, past president; Shawn Doyen, vice president; Gregg Garrison, secretary; Erica Fitzpatrick-Peabody, treasurer; and directors Seth Bradstreet, Greg Schools, Kramer Bell, Greg McCrum, Scott Irving and Keith Labrie.
Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Walt Whitcomb, spoke of the time he spends reminding people around the state that “agriculture is alive and well in the State of Maine.” He said Aroostook County has a lot to be proud of, and he congratulated the attendees on their accomplishments.
The Maine Agri-Women Award was presented by Kim Hemphill of Presque Isle. She spoke of the difficulty in keeping the honoree from finding out about the award before presenting it to Mapleton’s Judy Kenney, president of the Maine Agri-Women. Kenney kept asking Hemphill if “the lady to get the award was there yet?” while Hemphill kept assuring her that “it was under control!”
Hobbs presented the Young Farmer’s Award to Shawn Doyen of Willard C. Doyen and Sons Farm of Mapleton. Started by Shawn‘s grandfather Willard, followed by his father Ross and uncles Keith and Bill, the farm operation is rooted in tradition. Shawn believes that tradition and family involvement are key, but also that technology has an important part to play.
Hobbs stated “Shawn represents the blend of traditions values, superior work ethic and forward thinking that the Maine potato farming industry thrives upon. His commitment to excellence speaks volumes about his character and his dedication to the future of the Maine potato industry. Shawn’s involvement in his community as well as the industry exemplifies the qualities of the Young Farmer of the Year and we are proud to honor him with this title.”
The President’s Award was presented by Mark Tarr to his father David. Mark remembers being taught that if he worked hard, he could accomplish a lot. His father, he said, is patient and forgiving and teaches by example, whether at work or at play. Mark’s sister tells him that they all began helping on the farm while they were “still in diapers!”
Tarr presented a slideshow of pictures of his father and family members that was very entertaining. He also stated that his father “must be a handsome man, or he wouldn’t have been able to catch his mother!”
