Maine potato growers may join national group

PRESQUE ISLE – Two Aroostook County potato growers will attend the March meeting of United Potato Growers of America in Denver before the Maine potato industry decides if it will form a satellite organization for the state.

UPGA is a national organization of potato growers seeking better prices for their product. One of the ways they do that is by buying out acreage of lower production of potatoes in the country.

Overproduction of potatoes has long been blamed for low potato prices.

The Maine industry is concerned about joining the organization and paying money for Idaho growers to decrease acreage. Maine growers maintain that Maine has cut acreage for years, without remuneration.

The 2005 acreage in Maine, just under 55,000 acres, is the smallest crop since the late 1800s. In 1982, Maine harvested 106,000 acres of potatoes.

This year, the industry cut 125,000 acres. The year’s potato crop is considered to be the smallest in the United States since 1991.

Joining UPGA means the industry in Maine would have to put in money up front. The cost for the state to join has been cut several times.

Last month, Maine Potato Board Executive Director Don Flannery was offered a membership for $1,000, a fraction of the real membership price. The UPGA is trying to get more members on board. A large part of their membership is from western states.

“It’s important for United to understand the Maine point of view,” Flannery told the Maine Potato Board Wednesday afternoon. “It’s also important for Maine growers to make up their own minds.

“It’s important for United to hear where Maine is coming from,” he said. “What better way than to have Maine growers attend their meeting.”

Brent Buck of Chapman and Dominic Lajoie of Van Buren will be attending the March meeting. If their message is heard, other growers may be sent to the UPGA’s meetings in April and May.

Flannery believes that sending growers to the session would benefit Maine two ways: The UPGA would hear directly from Maine growers, and Maine growers could return with information for their counterparts.

It will cost the Maine Potato Board between $3,000 and $5,000 to send growers to the meetings for the next three months. They are going to take it one month at a time.

“Maine growers need to be the champions in the cause for all Maine growers,” Flannery said.

Steve Whited of Bridgewater, a member of the Maine Potato Board, believes Maine growers don’t want to join the countrywide organization.

David McCrum, a grower and member from Mars Hill, agreed with Whited.

“I don’ t like the idea of Maine growers paying Idaho to not plant potatoes,” Whited said. “That’s a mighty big eagle out there, and they won’t listen to us.”

Donovan Todd, chairman of the board said western states need to know that Maine needs to get back to 100,000 acres before they will look at downsizing more acreage.

Flannery said he thinks Maine growers should have the opportunity to voice their concerns.

“If we are not heard, we can relay that message when we get back,” Buck said.

It was agreed, on an 8-2 vote, to send growers to the meeting in Denver. A decision on future ventures by Maine growers going west to the UPGA meetings will depend on the report made by Buck and Lajoie next month.