Spudman May/June 2023 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
What a welcome!
I couldn't be more excited to join the Spudman team, and I think
the stories and people featured in this issue vividly illustrate why.
In these pages, readers will get to meet Jeanne Debons, the
2023 Spudwoman of the Year. Nominees for the
annual award are voted on by an esteemed panel
of judges, and it's hard to argue with the judges'
choice this year.
Debons' impact on the potato industry, from
Melinda Waldrop
Managing Editor
her days as a postdoctoral researcher to her most
recent role as executive director of the Potato
Variety Management Institute, is far-reaching
and long-lasting. Her contributions to the potato
industry can be measured in many ways, from
organizational to financial, but perhaps the most telling metric is
the high regard she is held in by her peers.
Every single person contacted to share their thoughts about
Debons returned messages, within 24 hours (as a journalist for 30
years now, I can assure you that rarely happens), and each one had
the kind of things to say about her that we all hope to hear one
day. Readers can immerse themselves in Debons' story beginning
on page 16, with the help of beautiful botanical drawings done by
Debons herself.
This issue also features Heartland Farms (page 8), a family farm
founded in 1873 that has grown to 27,000 acres while never losing
sight of the sustainability that was a focus long before the term
became an agricultural buzzword. While staying true to its landconservation
roots, the Pavelski family also embraces the latest
technology to maximize yields, save energy and ultimately satisfy
customers while being a responsible steward of the earth.
Readers can also learn about the challenges facing California
potato farms in the wake of March's torrential rains and colderthan-normal
temperatures - the ramifications of which are still
being assessed by growers and state officials (page 12). Also on the
table is a discussion of where potatoes fit into the evolving ultraprocessed
food conversation (page 22), a look at the importance
of fresh potato market access in Japan (page 23) and news about
positioning potatoes into a groundbreaking American Diabetes
Association program (page 24).
Dig into this issue and find what most excites you!
Office 616-887-9008
Editorial
Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop, 616-520-2158
mwaldrop@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Director Debbie Eisele, 616-520-2160
deisele@greatamericanpublish.com
Advertising Sales
Associate Publisher Andrea Schafer, 616-520-2139
spudmanads@spudman.com
Account Specialist Kim Meyers, 616-520-2137
kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
Production
Senior Graphic Greg Ryan, 616-520-2145
Designer spudproduction@spudman.com
Associate Creative Amanda Mackey, 616-520-2157
Director amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
Creative Director Allison McKenzie, 616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
Circulation
Circulation Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@spudman.com
Corporate
CEO & Publisher Matt McCallum
publisher@spudman.com
COO & CMO Kim Baker
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
CFO & Director of Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
Human Resources dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Board
Randy Hardy, Oakley Farms, Oakley, Idaho
Andy Jensen, Northwest Potato Research Consortium
Don Sklarczyk, Sklarczyk Seed Farms, Johannesburg, Mich.
Robert Thornton, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
The Magazine: Editorial and advertising offices at Great American
Publishing, P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345, Phone: 616-887-9008
SPUDMAN volume 61 number 5 (ISSN 0038-8661) is printed 8 times
a year in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec
by Great American Publishing, 75 Applewood Drive - Suite A, Sparta,
MI 49345. Periodical postage paid at Sparta, MI 49345 and additional
mailing office.
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and
advertisers in Spudman do not necessarily reflect those of the
editors and publisher. Appearance in Spudman does not constitute
endorsement by Great American Media Services or Spudman of the
advertiser, its products, or services. Great American Media Services
and Spudman accept no responsibility of liability for the validity or
accuracy of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers,
or advertising agencies. Great American Media Services and Spudman
do not make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity
of information supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or
advertising agencies. Copyright 2023.
mwaldrop@greatamericanpublish.com
4
Spudman * May/June 2023
Subscriptions: Subscriptions are free to qualified U.S. potato
growers. Canada: $56 per year U.S. funds. International: $100 per year
U.S. funds. Single copy and back issues: $6
Postmaster: Please send address changes and corrections to: Great
American Publishing, PO Box 318, Lincolnshire IL 60069
Reprints: Permission is granted for reprinting material, except for
commercial or advertising purposes, providing Spudman is given full
credit. Call 616-887-9008 regarding reprint information.
Spudman May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spudman May/June 2023
