Lajoie Farms named McCain Foods Champion potato grower

    PRESQUE ISLE — Lajoie Farms, of Cyr Plantation, has been named the 2010-11 McCain Foods Champion Potato Grower for Maine.
    The McCain top 10 potato growers were recognized at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at the Aroostook County Shiners’ Club in Presque Isle Aug. 23.
    Champion grower selection is based on the highest standing quality of three delivery categories. The delivery categories include field direct, winter storage and refrigerated storage. To attain the position of Grand Champion Grower, Lajoie Farms delivered just shy of 100 percent first place color, 34 percent 10-ounce, and above average payables and specific gravity in their grower storage contract.
    Lajoie Farms, located in Cyr Plantation just outside Van Buren, is family owned and operated by Michael, Philip, Bradley and Lucas Lajoie. The 5-generation farm has been growing potatoes for McCain Foods for 36 years. Beginning with the late Raymond Lajoie, father of Michael, Philip, and the late Herman Lajoie, the farm consisted of 50 acres of potatoes. Today, the farm consists of 600 acres of three varieties of potatoes. Lajoie Farms takes pride in their commitment to producing a quality product used within the ever-changing potato industry.
    In the category of Field Direct Delivery, Northeast Potato Co. claimed the top spot. The business is owned by Barry Campbell, while both Barry and Mark Pryor grow potatoes for the contract. Second place in this category went to Gerard and Duane Theriault of St. Agatha. Third place went to Paul Lagerstrom of Presque Isle.
    The top grower for Winter Storage Delivery went to Bell Brothers of Mars Hill. This 3-generation farm family includes Gary, Brian, Carter and Kramer. Second place in this category went to Robert Hallett of Caribou. Third place went to Rudy Parent of Hamlin.
    In the Refrigerated Storage Category, top grower was awarded to B.D. Grass & Sons. This brother team of Brent and Neil Grass has been farming with McCain since 1999. Second place in this category went to Tom Good of Monticello. Third place went to Keith and Shane Kingsbury of Bridgewater.
    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 Scott Ayotte of Hamlin, Wayne and Wade Leavitt of Connor, Rudy and Jamie Parent of Hamlin, and Labrie Farms of St. Agatha.
    McCain personnel on hand to congratulate the Top 10 growers were McCain Foods Limited Chairman Allison McCain, Managing Director of McCain Produce Steve McCain, Vice President of Agriculture for McCain Foods USA Laurie Jecha-Beard, Easton Plant Manager Dave McKenney and Field Department Manager Bart Bradbury.
    The 2011 Potato Queens in attendance for the industry event included Maine Potato Queen Kelsey Buck, Teen Miss Potato Queen Hannah Stoutamyer, Junior Miss Potato Queen Emma Kinney, Pre-Teen Potato Queen Chloe Wheeler and Little Miss Maine Potato Queen Janelle Tweedie.