The New National Potato Council President is Bob Mattive

The National Potato Council (NPC) held its annual Washington Summit recently, during which the group installed its Executive Committee members for 2024. Bob Mattive of Monte Vista, Colorado, was chosen to lead the Council for the next 12 months during the Annual Meeting of the Voting Delegates.

“I’ve always been interested in environmental issues and legislative affairs. I’ve learned a lot and I know we have to work hard and work together to keep relevant, educate the next generation, and continue advocating on behalf of our growers and industry partners,” said Mattive, who was initially introduced to NPC as a delegate from Colorado. His involvement with the federal policy-focused organization brought about a national perspective and he served on different NPC committees throughout the years. Mattive also serves on several Colorado agricultural committees and boards.

In 1982, Mattive's father extended an invitation to him and his spouse Gail (Worley) to become partners on the farm, thereby bringing them into the fourth generation of the Worley Family. About 500 acres were farmed when he and his father-in-law first started farming. Currently, the farm grows various crops on 2,000 acres in addition to 1,800–1,900 acres of potatoes. Their nephew Matthew Smartt and sons Grant and Reid currently share management of the company.

“As with most industries, technology has become a large part of our organization. We irrigate all of our acreage with computerized center pivot irrigation systems and utilize GPS operating systems in most of our tractors and other equipment,” he added.

The full NPC Executive Committee roster includes: President – Bob Mattive, Monte Vista, Colorado, First Vice President and Vice President, Trade Affairs – Ted Tschirky, Pasco, Washington, Vice President, Legislative Affairs – Dean Gibson, Paul, Idaho, Vice President, Environmental Affairs – Ben Sklarczyk, Johannesburg, Michigan, Vice President, Finance and Office Procedures – TJ Hall, Hoople, North Dakota, Vice President, Grower Outreach and Industry Research – Chris Olsen, Othello, Washington, Immediate Past President – RJ Andrus, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

As a grower-led organization, NPC is managed by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors, which oversees its operations and provides guidance on its policy activities. Board members are appointed by the Executive Committee from recommendations submitted by state potato grower organizations and hold office for one calendar year.

NPC is the voice of U.S. potato growers and industry members in the nation’s capital. NPC protects potato growers’ interests in Washington, D.C. by addressing issues that affect the potato industry, from policy issues debated in Congress to regulatory issues proposed by federal agencies.

The NPC 2024 Washington Summit is a forum for potato industry members to discuss, define, and advocate for the policy priorities impacting their businesses and protecting their ability to farm. From Feb. 26 – March 1, growers and industry stakeholders took the results from its latest economic impact study, “The Current and Potential Impact of Expanded Potato Exports,” to Members of Congress and the administration to advocate for issues such as keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements, and protecting tax policies that support the long-term health of family-owned farming operations.