Wisconsin Accepting Nominations for Potatoes USA Board Seats

Wisconsin is now accepting three nominations for representatives from potato-producing organizations in the state to serve on the Potatoes USA Board.

The upcoming elections are for the term beginning in March 2020. Each term lasts 3 years with an opportunity to be re-elected for a second 3-year term. No representative can serve for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

During their term, elected individuals are required to attend the Potatoes USA meeting held annually in March, and other meetings/events as indicated/requested.

As a Wisconsin representative elected to the Potatoes USA Board, individuals are responsible for representing Wisconsin’s interests and keeping the state’s growers informed of how Potatoes USA is fulfilling the state’s interest and maximizing growers’ return on investment. All are grower-leaders who actively participate in local government, cultural or business affairs. Be sure to think of the above when submitting your nomination choices.

The elected individual will be required to formally accept the nomination in a letter, and submit other original paperwork including a background form, no later than August 1st, 2019.

Potatoes USA encourages diversity on the board and therefore supports women, younger growers, minorities, and people with disabilities to seek positions on the board.

In recent years, Wisconsin has been allotted five seats on the board. Beginning in 2020, the number of seats will increase to six. This increase of one seat is a direct result of production numbers the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sends to Potatoes USA, which is based on a 3-year average.

For the 2020 election, Wisconsin is accepting nominations for 3 of the six seats as two representatives are completing the 3rd year of their second term and therefore, going off the board. Two other representatives are currently up for re-election.

Please see the following explanation:

• Sixth Additional Seat – No incumbent/Seeking nominations
• Eric Schroeder, Schroeder Bros. Farms (Antigo) – completing 3rd year of second term; Seeking nominations
• Mark Finnessy, Okray Family Farms (Plover) – completing 3rd year of second term; Seeking nominations
• Erin Baginski, Baginski Farms (Antigo) – Incumbent; up for re-election
• Keith Wolter, Hyland Lakes Spuds (Antigo) – Incumbent; up for re-election
• Heidi Randall, Alsum Farms (Friesland) – Will complete term in 2021
  Wisconsin’s nominations close on Friday, June 7th.

Please send your nomination to [email protected] with your nomination choice by that date.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) programs are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or marital status. It is therefore Potatoes USA (National Potato Promotion Board) policy to have the representation of producers on its board that reflect the diversity of individuals served by its programs and strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to seek nominations to the Board and to participate in the Board’s activities.