May/June 2019 - 9

" Her commitment to her customers,
colleagues, family and community is
apparent in everything that she does, "
said Melissa Boersema, the research
and development manager at Sklarczyk
Seed Farm. " Alison regularly supports
continuing education and mentorship
for her staff and dedicates her time to
supporting her community and family.
" As a successful woman in the potato
industry, strong wife and mother of two,
Alison represents the very best of us. "
Sklarczyk and the team produce
six million mini-tubers every year
that are sent to seed farmers around
the world. The process all starts in
the tissue culture lab before they're
moved to the 50,000 square feet of
greenhouse space before being sorted
and eventually shipped.
" We were at a Michigan State football
game that was almost sold out; you can't
even see the faces of the people across
the stadium, " Alison Sklarczyk said.
" Ben said, 'Do you realize that probably
every person in this stadium has eaten
something we grew.'
" That's pretty amazing. "
International sales have increased 16 %
over the past three years. The Sklarczyks
keep a world map at their facility with
tacks to represent everywhere they
ship mini-tubers, mostly to keep in
perspective how important what they
produce is to so many.
" It's a worldwide impact what
we're doing and a lot of times, myself
included, you forget that, " she said. " It's
really humbling. "
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
After a decade in the lab, Sklarczyk is
quite comfortable within its confines.
Comfortable, but not complacent.
She is a big believer in the lean time
management system.
" We try to look at all aspects - how
can we do things more efficiently to
save money and resources, but also
time, " Sklarczyk said. " A big one (we)
implemented was in the lab we used to
always put 20 plants into a container.
What happens if we put 24 or 30? You're
opening containers less and being better
with our time. "
Outside of the lab, Sklarczyk has
taken over the business finances
in recent years. Although her work
Spudman * May/June 2019
9
background and education are both in
science, she sees business as another
opportunity to learn.
" I've always felt if I'm not learning
something, my brain feels stagnant and
I hate that feeling, " she said. " (Running
the finances) has allowed me to take
some finance classes and the (Potato
Industry Leadership) Institute and to
keep learning more about how to grow
tissue culture plants or how to ship
tissue culture plants.
" It's been really fun. "
Another way Sklarczyk is pushing
herself is by getting more informed and
involved with policies and regulations
that affect the industry, something she
admits is outside her comfort zone. She's
a National Potato Council delegate and
recently was selected to serve on the board
of the regional Farm Service Agency.
" It is not a huge time commitment,
but I think I can help our business and
also the whole agricultural (sector) in
the area by learning more about what's
going on, " she said. " I found out that
The Alison Sklarczyk File
Job: Co-owner
and culture tissue
lab manager of
Sklarczyk Seed Farm
in Johannesburg,
Michigan. Sklarczyk
Seed Farm produces
six million mini-tubers
a year. It currently
produces about 120
varieties.
Hometown: Davison,
Michigan
Education: B.S., animal
sciences, Michigan
State University
Organizations:
National Potato
Council delegate, Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI)
participant, regional Farm Service Agency committee, secretary
of the Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society and T-ball coach.
Sklarczyk also sits on the Otsego Community Foundation's
Community Grant Committee/Grant Review Panel on behalf of
the Otsego County Wildlife Legacy Society. She is a member of
Gaylord Evangelical Free Church.
Family: Husband Ben; children Morgan, 6, and Dane, 4
Favorite way to eat potatoes: " My mom's cheesy potatoes, but
I love them baked, mashed, au gratin - any way really. "
May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2019
