Wisconsin Potato Grower Wins National Seed Potato Award
There are potatoes — and then there are seed potatoes. Producers of Wisconsin seed potatoes take special care to ensure their seed potatoes meet Wisconsin
Seed Potato Certification Program standards. The standards are designed to ensure that the potato seed does not propagate pests, diseases, viruses or rot. Seed growers’ fields, stock and storage facilities are routinely inspected to ensure quality.
Mach’s Sunny Acres, located in Antigo, Wisconsin, is a fourth-generation family farm specializing in Wisconsin seed potatoes, as well as field corn, oats, alfalfa and soybeans. It’s one of Wisconsin’s Century Farms (a farm under continuous family ownership for over 100 years) — established in 1882. Today, the 465-acre farm is run by brothers Ron and Ken Mach.
The centuries of hard work has paid off. Ron Mach was named the National Potato Council Seed Potato Grower of the Year at the Potato Expo held January 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Upon receiving the award Ron said, “I really want to thank my wife, Ann, who supports me in so many ways. I also want to thank my brother, Ken, for all he does on the farm. I greatly appreciate this honor. I enjoy serving the industry.”
Ron is a respected leader in the industry who has 38 years of experience growing certified seed potatoes. He not only helps run Sunny Acres, but is a member of the United States Potato Board Administrative Committee, the International Marketing Committee and the Seed Task Force. In August 2010, Mach met with Brazilian growers who have shown a decided interest in Wisconsin’s quality seed potatoes.
