Kingsbury Family Farm named McCain Foods Champion Potato Grower

    BRIDGEWATER — Kingsbury Family Farm of Bridgewater has been named the 2011-12 McCain Foods Champion Potato Grower for Maine.
    The McCain Top 10 Potato Growers were recognized this summer at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at the Aroostook County Shiners’ Club in Presque Isle.
    Champion grower selection is based on the highest standing quality of three delivery categories: field direct, winter storage and refrigerated storage. To attain the position of Grand Champion Grower, Kingsbury’s delivered 95 percent first-place color, 23 percent 10-ounce, 1.086 specific gravity, and above average payables in their grower storage contract.
    Kingsbury Family Farm is a multi-generation potato and grain farming operation based in Bridgewater. The farm originated in 1977 when Keith and Donna purchased a small farm and started raising table, seed and some processing potatoes for various buyers throughout Aroostook County. During that time, the farm grew at a modest pace. With the addition in 1996 of Shane and Duska to the family business, a period of rapid growth ensued.
    Due to the instability in the open tablestock and seed sectors of the potato business, the farm started to focus on growing process and chip potatoes under contract. Consistently meeting customer demands has allowed Kingsbury Family Farm to grow and secure contracts for all of their potato production. Acres are currently split between processing potatoes for McCain Foods in Easton and chipping potatoes for Aroostook Produce Distributors in Houlton.
    Kingsbury Family Farm’s success is attributed to being willing and able to meet customer demands in an ever-changing marketplace. They realize the need to be competitive on a global scale, and look forward to meeting that challenge now and in the future.
    In the category of Field Direct Delivery, Hagan Farms of Houlton claimed the top spot. This father and son team includes Mike, Jaime and Chris Hagan. Second-place in this category went to County Super Spuds of Mars Hill. Third-place went to Jaime Parent of Hamlin.
    The top grower for Winter Storage Delivery went to Dana Morrell and son, Dana Jr. of Caribou. This is the third time the Morrell’s have been in the Top 10 in the past 10 years. Second-place in this category went to Gaylen and Brent Flewelling of Easton. Third-place was awarded to Arthur and Aaron Ayer of Caribou.
    In the Refrigerated Storage Category, top grower was awarded to Michael and Nick Fitzpatrick of Houlton. This father-son team delivered potatoes that scored the highest defect free average at 64 percent. Second-place in this category went to Guerrette Farms of Caribou. Third-place went to Brandon and Bruce Roope of Presque Isle.
    Each Top 10 grower was honored with a cash award of $1,000 and presented with a plaque in recognition of their accomplishment.
    Growers chosen to participate in the SYSCO Sustainability Audit were presented with a certificate thanking them for their efforts. Growers that took part in the audit include Guerrette Farms, Irving Farms and Ayer Potato Co., all of Caribou, and Brent and Neil Grass of Blaine.
    McCain personnel on hand to congratulate the Top 10 growers were McCain Foods Limited Chairman Allison McCain, Director of Agriculture David Good, Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney and Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury.
    The 2012 Potato Queens in attendance for the industry event included Maine Potato Queen Ashley Martin, Teen Miss Potato Queen Hannah Guerrette, Junior Miss Potato Queen Lydia Patterson, Pre-Teen Potato Queen Kaci Bates and Little Miss Maine Potato Queen Delaney Alward.