Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32M A R C H 2 0 1 7 10 POTATO GROWER 2017 NPPGA Annual Meritorious Service Award and Chairman’s Banquet The 2017 Annual NPPGA Chairman’s and Meritorious Service Award Banquet was held at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Tuesday, February 21st. The banquet was well attended with over 275 growers and industry peo- ple on hand to enjoy an evening of fun. Greg Campbell, a partner in Campbell Farms of Grafton, North Dakota is the new NPPGA Chairman. He was handed the gavel from Lonnie Spokely, potato grower from Neilsville, Minnesota who served as chairman for the past year. Jim Vistad was this year’s recipient of the NPPGA Meritious Service Award posthumously. Jim had worked in the potato indus- try for the past 47 years in the Red River Valley, four years with Northland Chemical, 32 years with Simplot, and 11 years with Wilbur Ellis. Jim passed away in July of 2016. Jim’s family was on hand to gra- ciously accept the Meritorious Service award on his behalf. Jim was a friend to many in the potato industry in the Red River Valley and nationally as well. The entertainment portion of the night was light music by Jazz On Tap with a social before the speakers and then another social after the speakers where everyone could visit. The NPPGA would like to thank Cenex Harvest States, Bremer Bank and the NPPGA Potato Associates and all of the sponsors who helped make this year’s event successful. Without your continued support, events like these would not be pos- sible. Over 275 growers and potato industry people attended the NPPGA Annual Chairman’s and Meritorious Service Award Banquet at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.