Both winners of this year’s Idaho potato industry Grower of the Year awards quickly credit others for any success they’ve had, Capital Press reports.
Potato Growers of Idaho selected Fred Brossy, whose family owns Ernie’s Organics near Shoshone, as Potato Grower of the Year. The seed-focused Idaho Crop Improvement Association selected Mike Telford, principal in the multi-location Telford Sun Valley & Lost River Seed, as Potato Seed Grower of the Year. The awards are part of the Idaho Potato Commission’s annual Big Idaho Potato Harvest Meeting, this year held Nov. 14 in Fort Hall.
“There are other people more deserving, but I am also pleased that PGI chose to acknowledge organic potato production in their award choice,” Brossy said. Although PGI and others recognize him as a pioneer in growing organic potatoes in Idaho, “a couple guys helped me get started, and we continue to work together.”
Telford is known for his service on industry and community advisory boards, and for his work with his family’s widespread business in which his five sons play key roles. Telford is seed division chairman for United Potato Growers of America, chairman of the United Seed Growers of Idaho board, and a member of the Idaho Crop Improvement Association potato advisory committee.
“It certainly wouldn’t be possible without our employees, my wonderful family and our customers,” he said.
