The World Potato Congress Industry Awards went to Dr. John J. Burke, Paul K. Struik, Antoine Wallace and Richard W. "Dick" Okrey for their outstanding contributions to the international potato industry.
Dr. John J. Burke
Dr. Burke is one of Ireland's leading experts in potato agronomy.
Dr. Burke retired from Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) in 2007. In retirement, he returned to his favorite crop to volunteer with Vita, an Irish NGO working primarily in Ethiopia and Eritrea on potato farming projects.
He worked tirelessly to maximize the return on the potato, always focusing on developing the knowledge and skills of the farmers. Led a seed project on pristine community lands in Chenche, Ethiopia, and pioneered seed potato production in the highlands of Eritrea.
John has led numerous seminars and trainings for farmers, agronomists, regulators and educators in both countries. He is immediately recognized and highly regarded by everyone from farmers to ministers, thanks to his casual and respectful manner of communication, sincere interest in everyone he meets, and his unwavering desire to share knowledge.
During extended visits, organizing seminars and workshops with farmers and agricultural educators, John became acutely aware of the lack of quality teaching materials. In 2017, he wrote a book called Potato Cultivation, which has become one of the main sources of knowledge on potato production in developing countries. The book was published with the sponsorship of the Irish Potato Industry and is available free of charge to all people in developing countries.
Since then Growing a Potato Harvest has been translated into several languages and an abbreviated manual has been developed. The book is also available as a free online resource and in pdf format.
His visits to Ethiopia and Eritrea are highly anticipated and John is highly respected by all who have met him and studied with him. John is also actively supporting the research of several graduate and undergraduate students working on potato development topics.
Paul K. Struik
Paul K. Struik has been Professor of Crop Physiology at Wageningen University since 1986. At the time, he was the youngest professor ever appointed at Wageningen, and the potato was the main crop throughout his career. He has done research in physiology, seed production, crop growth and quality modeling based on QTL, the seed system and agricultural supply chain management in Africa, and sustainable intensification.
Many of his research projects are interdisciplinary and carried out in close collaboration with sociologists, bridging the gap between potato agronomy and development outcomes. Paul has been Editor-in-Chief of Potato Research, a journal of the European Potato Research Association, and a member of the EAPR Board in various capacities. He has co-authored over 500 scientific articles in international journals including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, NATURE PLANTS, Trends in Plant Science.
His list of achievements also includes more than 300 scientific publications and articles for the general public; and 15 books (including seed potato technology).
In 2019 Professor Struik received the International Plant Science Award from the American Plant Society for his great contribution to science. He is also Chairman of the Program Committee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Advisory Group of the International Institute for Agricultural Research, ICARDA, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Drylands. In addition, he continues to teach in Wageningen, training the next generation of potato growers.
Antoine Wallace
After graduating as a civil engineer, Antoine Valleys, together with his business partner and agronomist Luc Raes, set up the Agristo potato processing plant in Hulst/Harelbeek (Belgium). Both Antoine and Luc were the sons of farmers, and their spouses were active in the administrative department of the company, turning it into a real family business.
Since the beginning of his career, he has been active in the Belgian association for the sale and processing of potatoes, Belgapom. He served as chairman of the environmental group, promoted the introduction of new technologies for cleaning and reusing water, and his role in the development of the Belgian potato industry was one of the most progressive.
As President of Belgapom (2006-2012), he played a decisive role in the development of the Belgian Industrial Federation. He was an active board member of the European Potato Processors Association.
Antoine was also the first president of Vegaplan, a Belgian food and plant safety program that has certified over 10 farmers and has been certified gold by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative.
His own company Agristo, with the development of new production facilities in Tilburg (Netherlands) in 2001, Nazareth in 2011 and Vilsbeek in 2017, has become one of the most important Belgian players exporting potato products throughout Europe and the world.
Richard W. "Dick" Okrey
Richard W. "Dick" Okrey was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
From 1982-2020, he worked at the Okrey Family Farms in Plover, growing 7750 acres of quality row crops in Central Wisconsin, specializing in fresh potatoes. The farm was founded by his family over 110 years ago. After retiring in 2020, he remains part owner of a family farm that has received a national award for excellence in pesticide risk reduction.
The international potato industry has greatly benefited from the leadership of Dick Okrey. He served on the Executive Committee of the US Potato Council (now known as Potatoes USA) and was an ambassador for the United States potato industry, attending numerous World Potato Congress events in China, Scotland, New Zealand and Peru.
He and his wife Carol were instrumental in raising funds to build several wells in poor villages near Cameroon, Africa. They organized the WellersWalk event in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where participants filled and carried large jugs of water downtown, raising awareness of the cost many villagers in Africa cost daily to provide water to their families. Funds raised during the annual event were used to build wells in rural areas of Cameroon, greatly improving the lives of thousands of rural people.
Active in his community and industry, Dick has served on numerous organizations and boards, including: the Wisconsin Migrant Labor Council; Economic Development Corporation of Central Wisconsin; United Potato Growers of Wisconsin and United Potato Growers of America. Dick is also deeply respected for his philanthropic efforts, serving on the Board of Directors of the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, the Edward J. Oakray Charitable Foundation, and the newly formed Farming for the Future Foundation.
Dick served as chairman of the International Committee of the US Potato Board. He also served on the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board 2015-2020 (was Vice President of the Board).
He has received the WPVGA Agri-Communicator Award and the Portage County Business Council's Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award, as well as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2019, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Association Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to all the winners of the Industry Award of the World Potato Congress!