N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 POTATO GROWER 13 those specialists across state lines and to prepare research and basic information that was being generat- ed by both state university’s faculty. It has been a very successful effort.” Duane Preston filled his role as the Extension potato specialist for 30 years. During that time, he assisted with major changes in the potato industry. The drought in the late 1980s changed the whole produc- tion in the region. Many chipping potato acres moved east while French fry processors started requir- ing irrigation. Improved potato pro- duction required improved storages to maintain potato quality for extended periods of time. Duane worked with the first outbreaks of late blight in the early 1990s and developed the data on Clod Hoppers and reducing bruising. These topics changed the potato industry. Duane said, “My job is to provide education and if I can get education from companies to help the producer, that is my objective. A lot of us Extension guys use this state- ment—we know a little bit about a lot of things. We are more generalist than specialists. I work with vari- eties, storage, machinery, dis- eases and evaluat- ing new cultivars. It is very challeng- ing.” Nick David said he “was fortunate to be the Extension Potato Agronomist for North Dakota and Minnesota from November 2007 – April 2011. It became evident early in my tenure that the potato communities of both states took great pride in this position that they helped cre- ate. They welcomed my family and I into their fields, storages, and homes and made us feel like we belonged. Looking back at my time spent walking potato fields with growers, performing field trials, or hosting extension events, I now have the same pride in the Extension Potato Agronomy posi- tion that serves both states. It is a unique position within the US that is a valuable resource for the potato Duane ‘Sarge’ Preston in a potato field.