b' 2009NPPGA sells its Tappen, ND problems at the Grand Forks site. Startinginthe1960s,consumersIrrigated Research Site and moves irri- 2020-2021 -Theworldwidepan- demanded more convenience.PotatogatedresearchtotheForestRiver demiccancelsalltradeshowsand processingplantssprungupalloverColony near Inkster, ND. is hired as largegatherings.Zoommeetings theregion,sometodehydratepota- Potato Associates 2012Andy Robinsonbecomes popular as many meetings go toes into flakes, some to make potatothenewPotatoExtensionAgrono- virtual.NPPGAstaffworkremotely chips, and some to make frozen pota-mist.HereplacesNickDavidwho fromtheirhomesforatimewhen to products. chipping potatoes wereresigned in 2011. Robinson is just the MinnesotaGovernorWalzclosesallfourthpersontoholdthatposition non-essentialbusinesses.Duringthe In the 1970s since it was created in 1968. pandemic, there is a large shift in the kingintheValley,butbythe80s2014 UniversityofMinnesota potatomarketfromthefoodservice frozenprocessingwouldmoveintopotato breeder Dr. Christian Thill dies sector to the retail sector. the lead where it remains to this day.suddenly at age 53. Today about two-thirds of all potatoes 2018Chuck Gunnerson retires as Summary -Overtheyears,potato grownintheregionareformakingNPPGAPresidentafterservingfor9 growersinourregionhavehadto french fries and other frozen products.years. Donavon Johnson replaces him adaptwiththetimesasconsumerbecoming the 9th head of the associa- preferences changed. Previous to the It will be very interesting to see whattion. 1960s, the majority of potatoes grown thenext75yearswillbringtothe 2020NPPGA sells the farmstead at in the valley region were for the fresh potato industry in the region, but itstheGrandForksResearchFarmbut market.Therewereonceover100 a good bet that potatoes will still beretains ownership of the farmland. All washplants in the Valley, mostly small Americas favorite vegetable in 2096.drylandresearchplotsaremovedto operations; today that number standsotherlocationsbecauseofdrainage at 14.6 POTATO GROWER JULY/AUGUST 2021'