An Otsego County Farm Bureau member is the new president of the National Potato Council (NPC), a grower-led potato advocacy organization.
Ben Sklarczyk of Johannesburg, located 10 miles east of Gaylord, will serve in that role for 12 months, and Kelly Turner “couldn’t be more proud to see a grower from Michigan step into a role representing potato growers across the United States.”
“This announcement is not only a tremendous personal achievement for Ben, but also a powerful recognition of the leadership, innovation, and stewardship that define Michigan’s potato industry,” Turner, executive director of the Michigan Potato Industry Council, wrote in an email to Michigan Farm News.
“Our growers understand the balance between productivity and sustainability, tradition and forward-thinking practices. Having one of our own represent growers nationwide ensures that the voices of family farms, rural communities, and agricultural businesses here in Michigan will help shape conversations and policies that impact the entire industry.”
Turner said Sklarczyk’s nomination highlights the collaboration within Michigan to feed communities across the country.
“We are confident that Ben's leadership will advocate effectively for growers, promote sound agricultural policy, and continue advancing the success of Michigan and U.S. potato producers for years to come,” she said.
NPC elected Sklarczyk during its annual meeting on Feb. 23.
A third-generation grower and owner of Sklarczyk Seed Farm, Sklarczyk operates a hydroponic seed potato operation that he assumed full ownership of 10 years ago, purchasing it from his father, Don Sklarczyk, who served as NPC’s president in 2007.
Sklarczyk has been involved with NPC since the early 2000s and joined the NPC Board of Directors in 2010. Before being elected president, he served nearly a decade on the Executive Committee, holding various leadership roles, including first vice president, vice president of grower outreach and industry research, vice president of environmental affairs, and vice president of finance.
Sklarczyk and his wife, Allison — who serves on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors — reside in Michigan with their two children, Morgan and Dane.
“Our 2026 agenda will focus on capitalizing on new federal dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices for U.S. potatoes globally, and removing non-tariff trade barriers,” Sklarczyk said in a statement. “I also want to emphasize the importance of grower engagement with state and federal representatives to ensure the industry's voice is heard in policy-making.”
In Michigan, 70% of the state’s potatoes supply more than 25% of the nation’s chips. By production, potatoes are the state’s No. 2 crop, delivering $2.53 billion in gross domestic product annually and creating 21,700 jobs, according to the MPIC.