Elkton Farmer Again Leads Domestic Marketing Efforts
of the United States Potato Board

DENVER—(March 25, 2008) Danny Johns of Elkton, FL, was re-elected to serve on the United States Potato Board (USPB) Executive Committee at the organization’s 36th Annual Meeting, March 12-14, in Denver, CO. Johns begins his second year as co-chairman of the Domestic Marketing program, which directs all activities aimed at increasing consumer demand for US potatoes and potato products.

Johns is beginning his sixth and final year on the USPB, which he describes as having been a great experience, especially since he has had the opportunity to get to know and work with some of the top growers in the industry. One of the things that impresses him most has been seeing how his fellow growers in leadership “check their state hats at the door,” and truly work toward solutions to benefit the industry as a whole. He appreciates his years on the Domestic Marketing Committee and has enjoyed participating in the development of the new industry campaign “Potatoes…Goodness Unearthed™.”

“Being involved on a national level with the Board has given me a much better understanding of our industry than I previously enjoyed,” Johns said. “There are a lot of really great people involved in our industry, and it’s wonderful to work with them ensuring a bright future in potatoes.”

Johns, owner of Blue Sky Farms, has grown potatoes, cabbage and St. Augustine sweet onions for 26 years. He is a fourth generation farmer in north Florida. His great grandfather moved to Hastings in 1923 from Rockford, Illinois. Johns is proud to be able to participate in a business that allows him to do what he loves—farm. He is President of the North Florida Growers Exchange and is a member of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Farm Bureau. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hastings Drainage District.

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David Fairbourn is Manager, Industry Communications & Policy, at the United States Potato Board in Denver. The mission of the USPB is to increase demand for potatoes and potato products through an integrated promotion program, thereby providing US producers with expanding markets for their production. David can be contacted at 303-369-7783 or david.fairbourn@uspotatoes.com. For complete information about the programs, ROI results, resources and tools available to all members of the industry through the USPB, please visit www.uspotatoes.com. The United States Potato Board -- Maximizing Return on Grower Investment.