02/08/08 Washington grower gets national potato award

Farm and Ranch February 8, 2008 A covert action! That was the reaction of Skagit Valley potato grower Roger Knutzen when his family showed up to support the presentation to him of the 2007 Potato Man for All Seasons award at the National Potato Council's annual meeting last month in Florida. Knutzen: "A total surprise! It was so gratifying. You know an award is nice but when you receive it from the folks you are working with, the peers you work along side of it makes it so special. It is one of the top awards I have ever received." All of Knutzen's children work in the family business, which is now in the fifth generation of growing potatoes. Although he has served agriculture in many positions over the years Knutzen says he can't point to just any one thing as a major contribution. Knutzen: "You know I have never looked at it that way. I've tried to do whatever I can whether it's local, state or federal and just because it is something I totally believe in I don't know that it is any one thing. It is just something I love to do. It is something I totally believe in and this is how our family makes a living. It is just getting up every morning enjoying what you are doing. So I don't think it was any one thing other than a dedication to that industry." The magazines The Grower and The Packer present the Potato Man for All Seasons award and Knutzen thanks them for giving him that honor. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.