Sheldon and Atchley Receive 2005
Environmental Stewardship Award

WASHINGTON, DC – January 13, 2006 – Bill Sheldon of Ray, North Dakota, and Clen and Emma Atchley of Ashton, Idaho, were presented with the prestigious 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award at the NPC Annual Meeting on January 6, 2006. The award is a component of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, a partnership between the National Potato Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to protect the environment and promote the safe and effective use of pesticides. Sheldon and the Atchley’s were selected based on their on-farm pesticide risk reduction practices, use of Integrated Pest Management practices, use of biological control or alternative pest control methods, water and habitat protection, and resistance management practices—all of which were accomplished without any compromise of yield or quality.

Bill Sheldon started raising potatoes in 1997 on a farm located along the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea. Sheldon’s overall plan of crop production is to coexist with and improve upon his unique ecosystem in western North Dakota. Water quality and quantity are critical issues in this area and there are many competing uses for existing water supplies. The Army Corp of Engineers has been releasing increasing amounts of water from Lake Sakakawea, a man-made lake whose water level has dropped 50 feet over the past three years. Sheldon has been proactive in improving irrigation equipment to reduce water use and changing his irrigation systems to wells and lift stations rather than drawing from the lake. Irrigation for potato production provides increased winter food for deer and pheasants and as a result their populations have been increasing in recent years.

Clen and Emma Atchley of Ashton, Idaho, live with the Grand Tetons as a backdrop to their farm. In addition to their commitment to employ sound water, soil and habitat conservation methods on their farm, the Atchley’s are active in local conservation groups. Clen serves on the Committee of Nine, a group that is charged with ensuring that Idaho’s scarce water resources are properly used. Clen also shares credit with other growers in his area for turning the aging St. Mary’s canal from an environmental liability into one of the finest examples of current conservation technology in the state. Meanwhile, Emma served for several years on the Henry’s Fork Watershed Council, a cooperative effort to improve water quality, preserve habitat and maintain economic risk.

Through a sponsorship from DuPont Agricultural Products, a DVD highlighting the recipient’s on-farm strategies and practices in pesticide reduction and environmental protection was developed. Each year the video is used by schools, agricultural organizations and civic groups to demonstrate the potato industry’s commitment to sound environmental stewardship. The NPC compliments Bill Sheldon and Clen and Emma Atchley for their leadership and innovation in being model stewards of the land. Complimentary copies of the DVD are available through the NPC. Call 202.682.9456 or send an email to spudinfo@nationalpotatocouncil.org for a copy.

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The National Potato Council is the advocate for the economic well-being of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues. Potato growers, along with the U.S. potato industry as whole, directly benefit from involvement in the National Potato Council. NPC supports the U.S. potato industry by monitoring issues affecting the strength and viability of the potato industry, influencing regulators and legislators on issues crucial to the industry's long term success, ensuring fair market access for potatoes and potato products, and bringing the unique issues and interests of diverse growing regions in the U.S. together on a national level. The National Potato Council is a voluntary organization supported by quota assessments from state organizations, allied industry memberships and sponsorships, and directly by potato growers through membership dues.

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C. Hollee Stubblebine
Director, Industry Communications
National Potato Council
1300 L Street, NW, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20005
202.682.9456
202.682.0333 fax

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Photo 1 Clen and Emma Atchley of Ashton, Idaho, and Bill Sheldon (pictured with his family below) were recent recipients of the 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award, presented at the National Potato Council annual meeting. The award is a component of the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, a partnership between the NPC and the U.S. EPA, sponsored by DuPont
Crop Protection.

Photo 2

Contact Information:

C. Hollee Stubblebine
Director, Industry Communications
National Potato Council
1300 L Street, NW, Suite 910
Washington, DC 20005
202-682-9456
202-682-0333 fax