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A Minnesota seed potato grower and immediate past president of the National Potato Council was recognized Saturday for his strong leadership during 2011, which was marked by several heated industry issues.
Justin Dagen, owner of Dagen Heritage Farms in Karlstad, Minn., received the 2011 Potato Man of the Year award at the NPC’s awards banquet in Orlando, Jan. 7.
The award is presented by The Grower magazine and its sister publication, The Packer, in conjunction with the NPC. It honors someone within the potato industry who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in 2011.
Dagen called his past year as NPC president “fantastic” and credited the industry for coming together on several big issues.
“It just proves to me what growers can do if they all get behind something,” he says.
But Dagen says he could’t take credit for the NPC’s successes.
Instead, he points to the NPC executive committee and potato growers in general who visited lawmakers carrying the industry message.
“It was about educating and going to the hill with our family farmer stories,” Dagen says.
He admitted serving as president took a lot of time away from his operation.
“It’s been a commitment,” he says. “But I have a good wife, a good family and a good crew that would step in when I needed them.”
Several people who nominated Dagen mentioned his thoughtfulness and his ability to listen to all sides before making a decision.
“If you go to him, you feel like you’re getting a fair hearing,” said one colleague.
Another pointed out Dagen’s “quiet spirituality.”
“Justin’s passion and dedication to the potato industry have been an important part of his everyday life for decades,” the person wrote in his nomination. “His humility and enthusiasm are true signs of his leadership skills and his love of life.”
An Idaho grower described Dagen as “a dedicated, tireless, truthful, honorable and God-fearing potato farmer who has given his all to promote and defend the national potato industry.”
During 2011, the industry was faced with several issues, including the long-stalled U.S.-Mexico trucking dispute, the proposal to severely limit starchy vegetables in school meals and a ratification of a handful of new free trade agreements.
A colleague says Dagen sought help from across the country to help lead the potato industry.
In the end, the U.S.-Mexican trucking dispute was settled, and Congress barred limits on potatoes in school lunches.
In addition, Congress passed South Korea, Colombia and Panama free trade agreements, all of which are expected to benefit the potato industry.
“He has helped create a positive image of potato producers environmentally and extolled the nutritional aspects of the humble potato,” a colleague wrote.
Prior to being elected NPC president, Dagen served 14 years on the NPC board of directors.
He also has served 18 years on the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association’s board, having twice been elected chairman.
Dagen currently serves as the Minnesota representation on the U.S. Potato Board and has served on the Minnesota Area 1 Potato Research and Promotion Council for 26 years.
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