News Release

Atchleys Receive 2005 Environmental Stewardship Award

BLACKFOOT, ID — 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.

The Atchleys 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.

In addition to their commitment to employ sound water, soil and habitat conservation methods on their farm, the Atchleys 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.

Clen is a past vice president of the Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) and both he and Emma have served on many potato industry boards. Emma currently serves as an Idaho representative to the U.S. Potato Board.

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. PGI compliments 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 e-mail to spudinfo@nationalpotatocouncil.org for a copy.