F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 4 POTATO GROWER 4 POTATO GROWER Notes From The 10th Annual Potato Expo by Ted Kreis, NPPGA Marketing and Communications Director Hapka Farms Wins Award Hapka Farms from Halma, Minne- sota was named the recipient of the prestigious 2017 Environmental Stewardship Award at the National Potato Council’s Annual Awards Banquet held in Orlando, Florida on January 12th. Each year the National Potato Council honors a family farm that has demonstrated a commitment to stewardship of its land and protec- tion of our shared environment. The Hapkas are leaders in adopting innovations that reduce the risks associated with pesticide applica- tion; they support wildlife habitat and promote improved water quali- ty and water conservation. Their leadership by example encourages other producers to focus their atten- tion on these important environ- mental values. Lance Hapka who farms with his father Leon and sister Jennifer Borowicz, accepted the award on behalf of the family. They raise 800 acres of potatoes in rotation with corn and rye and deliver their spuds to the J.R. Simplot frozen processing plant in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Hapka nomination was submit- ted by Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. Wickham Recognized The Packer’s “Potato Woman For All Seasons” award was also present- ed at the banquet and went to Melanie Wickham, the executive director of the Empire State (New York) Potato Growers for the past 33 years. Wickham was praised for her tireless work on behalf of the indus- try both in New York and nation- wide. Breeding Team Exhibits for 13th Straight Year NPPGA once again organized the booth for the North Central Potato Breeding Team. Breeding programs from North Dakota State, Minnesota, Michigan State and Wisconsin have displayed together since the 6th World Potato Congress in Idaho in 2006. Each year they show off some of their most promis- ing varieties in the pipeline. Ted Kreis, NPPGA; Susie Thompson from NDSU; and Dave Douches from Michigan State have been part of the exhibit for all 13 years. The Breeding Team booth was flanked Melanie Wickham received the "Potato Woman for All Seasons" award from The Packer's Tom Karst. Lance was accompanied by his children and wife Katrina, also his mother Jean (far left) and father Leon (far right).