Meeting the Needs of ...
Young, Beginning and Small Farmers
People are talking about Kyle Blackstone

This is the second in a series of columns noting the contributions and accomplishments of young, beginning and small farmers. The young farmer featured here has built a strong track record for initiative, innovation and leadership in just 12 short years as a business owner.

When farmers win major agricultural awards, others take notice, as is the case with Kyle Blackstone, of Caribou, Maine.

Since Kyle received the 2002 Young Farmer of the Year award from the Maine Potato Board, the word has spread that he is an innovative young farmer on the fast track to becoming a leader in the potato industry.

While his award is still freshly minted, his reputation is not. It has been developing at a steady pace since 1990 when he leased his first 25 acres and secured his first contract with McCain Foods, Inc.

Joe Vigue, Kyle's Farm Credit of Maine loan officer, says, "Kyle is a progressive, ambitious farmer who works hard to open new markets. By obtaining contracts from McCain Foods for both processing and seed potatoes, and also marketing his products aggressively to other buyers, Kyle has become a profitable business owner. At Farm Credit of Maine, we are proud to work with him and to lend him the funds he needs to push forward into new markets."

The talk about Kyle Blackstone continues.

Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Board, says, "Kyle has shown tremendous initiative, and has already established a name for himself in the industry by delivering a quality product."

Ninth generation

A ninth generation farmer, Kyle ventured out on his own after learning the potato business on his family's farm. Don Flannery adds, "Kyle started growing potatoes in 1990 for the processing market and later took the initiative to expand his operation into seed potatoes. He was also one of the first growers to plant canola,* which is a new upcoming rotational crop in Maine. Kyle sees canola as an opportunity to improve his crop rotation and generate income during off rotation years."

Lee Morrow, the director of agriculture for McCain Foods, Inc., Easton, Maine, also has high praise for the Aroostook County grower. "Kyle is a progressive operator with good management skills plus the land base to deliver the volume and quality that we need. He made an investment in land and rotation, which is reflected in the quality product that he produces."

Who else is talking about Kyle Blackstone?

Even the Maine House of Representatives took a moment out of a recent session to mention Kyle's achievement, and to congratulate him for receiving the Young Farmer of the Year award.

About his award, Kyle says, "I am proud to be recognized by my peers. My family and I have worked hard to get to where we are today."

Kyle plans to continue building his farming operation by focusing on growing quality potatoes and grains. "Quality and good management are keys to a successful farm," Kyle says. He adds, "These factors affect the Maine potato industry. If we as Maine farmers strive to attain top-quality with our potatoes, we will have an internationally marketable product."

   *A plant with seeds that are often used as a source of canola oil, which is an edible vegetable oil that has become popular since it is high in monounsaturated fatty acids.

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